Also Journal's newest body of work featuring our Foundation Flat captures the freedom of movement and the female form. This is something that we regularly draw inspiration from when designing our shoes, so being part of this editorial was an extra special experience.

In this interview with Flaura Wellness, our Founder & Creative Director Marre discusses what makes ESSEN different to other brands, what it's like working with our workshops in Europe from Melbourne and how the pandemic has affected the way she works. 

We are committed to making better choices every day across the business to minimise our social and environmental impact. We're grateful to be included in this important Grazia feature, highlighting brands are trying to be part of the solution in the fight against climate change, making ambitious drives towards sustainably-sourced materials or committing themselves to charitable initiatives. 

The race to net zero means we need to get a grip on our wardrobes. We are drowning in clothes and 87 per cent of clothing material is incinerated, consigned to landfills or dumped in the natural environment. The Times provides tips on how to be an eco style queen, and we're honoured to be included in lineup of brands that are adopting more sustainable business practises.

There is something quite transformative about closet staples with unique details, and our bestselling Luxe Loafers still have maximum impact with minimum effort. Together with Pooja Mor, Lorna McGee shows the many ways you can wear them in this beautiful Vogue feature. 

Our effortless essentials are hardworking classics that are aesthetically beautiful, supremely comfortable and ethically made. We spent a lot of time engineering the construction and fit of our shoes, to allow women to move seamlessly and confidently through their day, without compromising on style, comfort and craftsmanship.

As we become more aware of the significant and deeply consequential impacts the fashion industry is having on our environment, a change in our consumerist-driven ways is well overdue. While the facts may be hard to digest, it's now more important than ever that we listen. Here, in Australia, 6000 kilograms of textile waste is deposited into landfill every 10 minutes. 

"What sent me into an orbit these week? These shearling pumps from ESSEN, a boutique shoe brand that is a favourite with the fashion pack, they are just so good."

In this episode of D Sustainability Issue, I speak with Dessie about founding and managing a sustainable footwear brand. We dive into how ESSEN has taken a sustainable approach throughout the entire production process - from the choice of raw materials for our shoes, the production factories, and the packaging but also the benefits of pricing for a direct-to-consumer shoe brand, and the effects of the current COVID crisis has on the business.