Fashion has long been driven by excess — producing far more than is needed, then discounting or discarding what remains.
At ESSEN, how something is made matters as much as the design itself.Our on-demand model is rooted in responsibility and restraint. We make only what is needed, when it is needed — reducing overproduction and offering a more considered way to buy. Rather than chasing constant newness, we focus on fewer, better pieces, designed and produced with intention.
WHAT DOES ON-DEMAND MEAN?
Our on-demand model — best understood as made-to-order — means production begins once demand is confirmed. It’s not bespoke, but it does allow for personalised fit guidance and considered adjustments — without the excess built into traditional manufacturing.
Traditional fashion relies on forecasting and volume. Brands manufacture large quantities upfront to reduce unit costs, often leaving surplus stock at the end of a season. What cannot be sold is heavily marked down, stored indefinitely, or ultimately discarded — too often ending up in landfill.
On-demand works differently. Rather than producing in anticipation, we produce in response. Every pair is accounted for before it is made, allowing us to plan carefully, use materials efficiently, and significantly reduce waste. Over time, as demand patterns become clearer, we may hold small quantities of core styles and colours — such as the Foundation Flat in Black, White and Tan — to ensure availability without overproduction.
When last pairs remain, it is typically the result of a style being phased out or a factory transition. In these cases, we sell through the remaining stock — no surplus, no unnecessary replenishment. In simple terms, we make with intention — not assumption.
On Demand Shopping VS Traditional Shopping
How it works
On-demand is central to how we design, price, and produce. When you pre-order from ESSEN, your piece is made especially for you.
Our collections are permanent rather than seasonal — a considered edit of enduring styles designed to be worn and lived with over time. Because of this, we price honestly year-round and do not participate in traditional sales cycles.
This way of working requires patience, precision, and close collaboration with our factories. To acknowledge customers who pre-order and make this model possible, we offer an incentive during the early release window.
THE PRE-ORDER PROCESS
- Each new style is first released for pre-order before production begins.
- Subscribers receive an exclusive 20% saving during the first two weeks of the pre-order timeline.
- Once this period closes, we confirm final production numbers based on committed orders and begin manufacturing with clarity and intention.
- Pre-orders remain open throughout production, with a 15% saving available.
Get 20% Off
Plan your wardrobe ahead of time & enjoy up to 20% reward for supporting the on-demand system.
why it matters
On-demand allows us to reduce waste and remove unnecessary excess from the system — without compromising on craftsmanship or integrity. It’s a slower, more deliberate way of working. One that values longevity over volume, intention over impulse.
That shift changes not just how things are made — but how they are chosen.
Every ESSEN piece is designed with longevity in mind — from the materials we select, to the people who make them, to how they live in your wardrobe over time. When you shop with ESSEN, you support small, family-owned factories and skilled artisans. We are committed to fair, ongoing employment and to preserving traditional craft. We will never shift production in pursuit of scale.
This is how we choose to make our designs — considered, intentional, and made to last.
Fewer pieces, more love.