Your Company

Responsibility

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.

GREEN AMBITION

We’re in a climate emergency and we care about reducing our CO2 emissions. We recognise the contradiction between the current fashion industry, which by nature produces for consumption, and the concept of sustainability. And yet, we believe fashion can be a force for good. and a vehicle for change.

We're actively measuring our CO₂ footprint across our entire supply chain - taking into consideration annual business operations, shipping logistics including weight, distance travelled, and the cargo type when calculating emissions. We then work with an independent third party to offset those carbon emissions through supporting clean energy, reforestation, and efficiency projects.

Carbon offsets alone won’t save the planet, but we are reducing the amount of overall carbon that we’re emitting, and if other people did that too, it would make our climate goals a lot easier to achieve. Read more about how many trees we've protected since the recent implementation of the program.

On Demand

INSIDE OUR WORKSHOPS

Supply chains can be exploitative, and while it's difficult for small brands to facilitate significant infrastructural changes, we know it’s necessary. When it comes to crafting shoes the slow way, we refuse to compromise. All styles are handmade in Italy, Portugal and Spain in solar-powered factories by expert artisans who have been making shoes for generations. The artisans in our workshops have become our friends and Their close involvement in our process has sparked important conversations—and actions—around social and environmental issues. Our goal: full visibility and traceability across the entire supply chain.

MEET THE MAKERS

radical transparency

Since our inception in 2016, transparency has been a key pillar at ESSEN, not a nice to have or a marketing strategy.  

We believe our greatest assets are people and the planet, and it's our responsibility to protect both throughout production. After all, we can only improve what we can measure.

A TRACED JOURNEY

Every ESSEN shoe has a story and we're so proud of all the hard work and details that go into making them. By simply scanning the QR code on your shoebox or visiting the website you can now view the complete product journey through our supply chain: where they came from, how they got there, who made them, what their craft is and more.

Product Passport

In collaboration with Renoon, we leverage on-demand analysis and blockchain technology to trace each stage of production. This allows us to create a unique Product Passport for every style and transform existing information and certifications into verified, transparent data.

MATERIAL MATTERS

At ESSEN we choose to only work with high-quality, LWG-certified leathers that are non-toxic and responsibly sourced. Leather, when produced thoughtfully, is durable and can be an eco-friendly choice.

While plant-based leathers are on the rise, many still rely on chemical processing and plastic-based materials like polyurethane, PVC or polyester, which are all non-biodegradable materials made of fossil fuels. We are always researching innovative leather alternatives but a perfect solution that meets our sustainability standards is not yet available.   

Through our transparent supply chain we can trace our leathers all the way back to the networks of farms they originated from, which ensures that animal welfare and that zero deforestation policies are in place. By knowing how the leather is being processed, we can take actions like reducing or eliminating the use of harmful chemicals in tanning. Learn more about our leathers here.

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Giving Back

Our Charities

Single-use? No thanks.