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'S ON-DEMAND
Most fashion brands produce large quantities of inventory to lower unit costs, but this often results in unsold stock at the end of the season. These excess products are discounted, marked down repeatedly, and if they still don’t sell, they’re frequently discarded in landfills or even burned — practices that contribute significantly to pollution.
At ESSEN, we take a different approach. We embrace on-demand production — making pieces only when they’re truly needed. Instead of guessing demand, we produce only what has already been sold. This allows us to use resources responsibly, reduce waste, and avoid overproduction.
When you pre-order a pair of ESSEN shoes, they’re made especially for you. This not only ensures a thoughtful, minimal-waste process, but also gives you a voice in shaping our designs, as together we determine the most considered production levels.
On Demand Shopping VS Traditional Shopping
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 below.
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%.
Get 20% Off
Plan your wardrobe ahead of time & enjoy up to 20% reward for supporting the on-demand system.
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.
