Circularity is a journey and we’re only at the beginning.

The fashion industry remains infamously dirty, responsible for more annual carbon emissions than all international flights and maritime shipping combined. 

But whilst fashion is having a detrimental impact on our natural resources, it also has the ability to become one of the most circular industries. As a small creative brand, we have the ability to reimagine anything into something new. We don’t get rid of our leftover fabrics or deadstock - we bring them back into the spotlight via new designs and ideas and hope to inspire others to do the same.

Learn more about our Waste To Wonder initiative here. 

With every ESSEN style we create, we carefully consider the environmental and social impact of a product across its entire life cycle.

By employing circular models, we want to minimise resource consumption, eliminate waste and extend the life of our shoes.

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.

Here's how we hope to achieve this together:

RETHINK

We’re rethinking our product design, operational processes, industry standards and our partnerships to ensure we are working in the most circular way possible.

REDUCE

We’re improving our resource effectiveness, reducing our need for non-renewable energy and keeping our use of primary resources to a minimum. Wastage is an issue at all stages of a product's lifespan and we work extremely hard to keep our cutting as tight as possible, reducing waste throughout our production process.
 

You can help! 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. Borrowing from the Japanese Kintsugi concept of repairing broken pottery pieces, we value the art of upcycling - repairing and properly caring for your wardrobe.  

REUSE

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

 

My number one mission is to keep our shoes in your closet, and out of landfill.

But I also understand that style, or circumstances can change. Shifting to a circular future through reselling and recycling is a necessary responsibility towards our planet. ESSEN has proudly partnered with AirRobe so you can recycle or re-sell your shoes with one easy click.

We need to think forward and make sure our products are loved and taken care of until the very end. That's why we value collaborations like these, so that together we can take small steps that create meaningful change. 

X Marre