Some collaborations just make sense. Built on shared values and wanting to use fashion as a force for good, ESSEN and Maggie Marilyn are one of those—sharing in a commitment to responsibility, craftsmanship, quality, and longevity. 

Following their latest collaboration, founders Marre Muijs and Maggie Hewitt sat down for a candid conversation. From balancing practicality with playfulness to championing female entrepreneurs and artisans, they explore what it means to create with purpose.

MARRE: THIS IS OUR SECOND COLLABORATION - HOW DO YOU FIND CREATING FOOTWEAR DIFFERS FROM DESIGNING FASHION?

Maggie: What excited me most in designing this capsule was bringing the quality and beauty that I love about the shoes I’ve purchased from luxury brands over the years into an offering with the MM customer in mind. The challenge was bringing MM’s design ethos of ‘practical femininity’ into a footwear capsule, and the limitations of wanting only two styles - a flat shoe and a heel - meant that I was meticulous with my choices: What colours would feel playful but elegant; what design features could I add as a nod to MM (the heart motif!), and what materials worked best..

MAGGIE: WHAT ELEMENTS OF ESSEN DID YOU INFUSE INTO THE COLLABORATION?

Marre: It’s been beautiful to merge our shared values of responsibility, craftsmanship, quality, and longevity. My design philosophy has always been about creating timeless, meaningful essentials that effortlessly enhance a woman’s daily life. I’ve always been drawn to classic tones, but this collaboration gave me the chance to be bolder with colour and explore more playful designs with you. The idea of ‘practical femininity’ deeply resonates with me—it’s at the heart of everything I design. For example, the Heartstopper Wedge, with its removable hearts, embodies both classic elegance and playful charm. It’s a reflection of our shared affinity for pieces that are often more than one thing…

MARRE: WHAT ASPECTS OF EACH STYLE DO YOU THNK RESONATE MOST WITH THE MAGGIE MARILYN WOMAN?

Maggie: There’s an enduring elegance to ballet slippers - I thought about the ballet shoe manufacturer who famously made rubber-soled slippers for an American designer in the 1940s, or the ballet slippers worn by Brigitte Bardot in the 50s. And then there’s the power of great heels to make us feel sexy and (both physically and metaphorically) stand taller - I have a pair of vintage Prada wedges from the 80s that I was inspired by for the Heartstopper Wedge. Without playing favourites, I’m most excited about the Heartstopper Wedge. They have detachable hearts that allow you to style them however you like. I think there are days when women want to lean into classic sartorial choices when getting dressed, and then other times we feel more experimental with our wardrobes - the Heartstopper Wedge allows for both.

MARRE: IN TERMS OF THE CREATIVE PROCESS, WHAT WERE SOME KEY DEFINING MOMENTS? WERE THERE ANY UNEXPECTED CHALLENGES THAT YOU FELT SHAPED THE FINAL COLLECTION?

Maggie: We spent a lot of time perfecting the square ballet toe on the ballet slipper - ensuring it looked like a ballerina’s pointe shoe, but not at the detriment of the wearer’s comfort. We ultimately used two types of leather to achieve this. Also getting the heel on the ballet slipper just the right height so that the foot was comfortable but that it wasn’t overly visible in its side profile. I also debated over what colours I wanted for ages! There were so many great choices in the patent leather but the apple green and plum ultimately won me over. There’s definitely other colours I want to explore… watch this space.

MARRE: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNG WOMEN AIMING TO BREAK INTO THE FASHION INDUSTRY, ESPECIALLY IN LEADERSHIP OR CREATIVE ROLES?

Maggie: I think creativity is so important in today’s world. It’s such a vital tool for problem-solving and innovation - two things that are critical for the longevity of the fashion industry. So for young women wanting to work in fashion, my advice would be to spend time figuring out what creative work you feel the most drawn to - whether that’s photography or textile design - and then pursue that creativity relentlessly.

MAGGIE: WHAT ARE SOME WAYS WE CAN BETTER SUPPORT FEMALE WORKSHOP OWNERS AND CRAFTSPEOPLE, PARTICULARLY IN ITALY AND PORTUGAL, WHERE TRADITIONAL INDUSTRIES ARE FACING SIGNIFICANT DOWNTURNS?

Marre: Supporting female artisans has never been more important, especially with the recent closures of over 2,000 luxury factories in Italy, leaving many skilled women—and artisans in general—facing uncertain futures. At ESSEN, we are committed to ensuring they are not overlooked. We prioritise direct collaboration with female-led workshops, offering fair pay, stable work, and mutual respect. Through small-batch, on-demand production, we not only minimise waste but also ensure steady income throughout the year. Their craftsmanship is at the heart of ESSEN. By investing in their skills and sharing their stories, we preserve this invaluable craft and offer our customers a deeper appreciation for the skill and dedication behind each pair, all while fostering a more sustainable future.

MARRE: HOW DO YOU THINK THE ALIGNMENT OF OUR BRAND VALUES HAS STRENGTHENED THIS COLLABORATION, BOTH CREATIVELY AND ETHICALLY?

Maggie: Maggie Marilyn and ESSEN have a shared commitment to timeless designs and impeccable quality, which is what made this such a dream partnership! Marre and I both believe, “Buy well, and buy for life.” Something I respect so much about Marre is her commitment to the comfort of her shoes - it was so important to her that our customer could be on her feet all day in either of these styles, and that they would really go the distance in her wardrobe. So combining that with my desire to design something beautiful and uplifting is what really strengthened the collaboration.

THE MAGGIE: I'D LOVE TO UNDERSTAND YOUR VIEW ON HOW WE CAN PUSH THE BOUNDARIES OF SUSTAINABILITY IN DESIGN, WITHOUT COMPROMISING CREATIVITY?

Marre: For us, pushing the boundaries of sustainability means viewing limitations as opportunities for innovation. We prioritise on-demand manufacturing, reducing waste, and producing only what is needed. This approach inspires us to design pieces that are timeless, versatile, and built to last. As you know, using responsible materials and working closely with artisans is very important to me— it also enables innovation while staying true to our sustainability goals. To me, sustainability isn’t a limitation; it’s a catalyst for creative expression. This synergy between conscious design and creativity results in pieces that are not only beautiful but also meaningful, offering our wearers a luxury experience that aligns with their values.

WEBSITE:

maggiemarilyn.com