Overproduction in fashion is one of the biggest environmental threats. At ESSEN we believe in On-Demand manufacturing – a responsible business model that rewards responsible shopping and eliminates overproduction.

WHAT IS ON-DEMAND?

Most fashion companies produce large quantities of inventory, a practice that reduces unit production costs, but often leaves them stuck with excess product at the end of the season. This extra product is put on sale, marked down repeatedly, and if consumers still won’t buy it, it’s dumped in landfills or burned, adding significant pollution to our planet.

On-demand is a method of manufacturing in which goods are only produced when they are required – in contrast to mass production.

It enables us to accurately calculate demand because we only produce what we’ve already sold. This way we can make smarter use of resources, and minimise waste and overproduction.

But How Does It Work Exactly?

At ESSEN we are committed to conscious creation and a minimal waste approach.

When you pre-order a pair of shoes with us, they will be made especially for you. This means you have a high degree of influence over our designs, and we work together to determine the optimum production levels.

Our edit is a permanent collection of timeless wardrobe staples and we price honestly all year round, so we never go on sale.

Producing shoes on-demand is a very challenging process, so we’re excited to offer an incentive to customers who help us make shoes in a much more sustainable way and choose to buy responsibly early in the production process.

How It Works

First, we show you our new releases early on in the process and make them available for pre-order on our website.

By subscribing to our newsletter you’ll receive an exclusive 20% discount during the first two weeks of the pre-order phase. If you haven’t already, sign up here.

After two weeks, we calculate exactly how many pairs of each style, size and colour we need to make and begin manufacturing with a much better understanding of what we’ll actually need. This allows us to minimise waste and overproduction and to use our resources smarter.

You can still pre-order during the production phase, but the discount will drop to 15%.

Benefits For You 

Producing shoes on-demand allows us to keep our handcrafted shoes at a competitive price point. On-demand eliminates overproduction and minimises waste up to 90% compared to traditional processes. This means lower costs per pair, and a better price for you.

Help Us Fight The Fashion Problems 

 At ESSEN, we constantly challenge ourselves to do more for our customers, and the world we share. We carefully consider the design, production process and material of each style so they have a greater impact on your wardrobe and a smaller impact on the environment.

When you pre-order with ESSEN, you aren’t getting a pair of shoes that have been sitting around in a warehouse for months. By choosing products that are made-to-order, you have something to look forward to and we hope that you’ll feel more attached to your shoes.

Every time you shop with us, you’re supporting small businesses and skilled artisans. We are invested in making sure their craft is compensated accordingly, and are invested in giving continuous, well-paid work. We will never switch to cheaper alternatives.

Fewer Pieces, More Love.