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Consumption

We believe that one of the biggest problems in the fashion industry is overconsumption. ESSEN encourages people to buy less and choose better. We aspire to simplify women’s wardrobes, by helping them consider what they really need and edit out excess. That’s where our name comes from – essentials. 

Our design philosophy is based on a respect for those key items in your wardrobe, functional pieces that stand the test of time. By reimagining them in new ways, they’re familiar yet interesting – hardworking classics with a twist.

We don’t design for seasons, we create for forever. When something isn’t perfect we improve it. When something is broken we fix it. According to studies, 84% of clothing ends up in landfills, and unfortunately, as the industry grows, environmental damage increases. 

Our intention is for our shoes to retain their value and for customers to have a long-term relationship with them, rather than just a short fling. This includes repairing, donating, reselling our old pieces, instead of just throwing them in the trash, where they will inevitably wind up in landfills.

It means resoling your shoes, adopting hand-washing practices where possible for your clothing to avoid excess microfibres being dumped in our oceans from washing machines. We should also make sure all packaging is properly disposed of, through means of recycling and composting (depending on the materials). Here are some tips to help you get you started: 

REDUCE

With thousands of tonnes of clothing ending up in landfill every day, reducing your wardrobe to the essentials takes a lot of discipline, but it's important in reducing your environmental impact. Invest in quality, comfortable pieces that last and transition from season to season. Limitations make you more creative.

REWEAR

Social media has created an unhealthy relation with our belongings but we need to normalise re-wearing outfits. It is rumoured that the world now consumes around 80 billion new pieces of clothing every year - so shopping consciously has never been more important. Choose less and more considered staples that you'll love and cherish, that are endlessly versatile and designed to last. 

RECYCLE

92 million tonnes of textile waste is created each year and by 2030, we are expected to discard more than 134 million tonnes of textiles per year, worldwide. 95% of these textiles could be reused and recycled. Donate to companies or brands that will recycle items you no longer use, or buy second hand. 

REPAIR

Treat your pieces with love, it will make them last longer. Reconnect with your wardrobe, rather than viewing items as quick trends or throwaway things. Enjoy the pleasure of buying well-made pieces with a timeless design and being able to recognise quality - repairing and properly caring for your wardrobe. 

RESELL

Reselling pieces you no longer want or need has never been easier!

 


Our definition of progress is reduced wardrobes, built on fundamental wardrobe staples that will stand the test of time. 
 
A high-quality turtleneck, a well-tailored blazer, classic leather boots. As we spend more time spent at home and have fewer opportunities to dress up, we’ve become laser-focused on fundamental wardrobe staples.

These tips will help significantly reduce your fashion footprint, whilst also saving you a lot of money, space and decision fatigue along the way.