Franco has had a life-long passion for shoes but decided to start his own factory together with three close friends in 1997.
Franco is responsible for overseeing the creative development and we work very closely together to bring my designs to life. He then oversees every step of production with great care and attention to detail to ensure our shoes reach you in perfect condition.
1.
OUR WORKSHOP
The artisans in this workshop have been honing their craft for generations and bring heart and expertise to every pair they make.
We believe that luxury shoes should create value for everyone who’s involved in the process.
Franco is focused on providing an exceptional working experience for everyone in the business. Social justice is very important to us at ESSEN and we're invested in making sure the artisans' craft is compensated accordingly. We are committed to giving continuous, well-paid work and will never switch to cheaper alternatives.
2.
MATERIAL & QUALITY
We take 'Made In Italy' one step further. The leather, the components, and even our shoe boxes are sourced locally from the area surrounding our workshop.
It is important to us that this style is comfortable and easy to wear, so your shoes have been crafted from the highest grade, LWG-certified leathers we could find.
The Leather Working Group (LWG) audits the environmental impact of tanneries throughout the supply chain and certifies those that comply with their protocols.
We only ever use leather that is a by-product of the meat industry, which would otherwise go to waste. We will never use exotic skins. Learn more about the important sustainable initiatives our tanneries are taking here.
3.
PACKAGING
We do everything we can to reduce waste at each point in the process – using eco-friendly shoe materials and sending orders in only one box, whenever possible.
We’ve decided to minimise packaging waste that ends up in oceans and landfills and forego fancy packaging. Our boxes are made from recycled cardboard and soy-based inks.
Your shoes have been shipped in reusable and returnable packaging made from recycled materials, which saves up to 80% of carbon emissions compared to single-use waste. To return your RePack, simply turn the address label to read "Reply paid", fold the packaging using the velcro, and drop it into your nearest post box anywhere in the world.
4.
LOGISTICS
We're an Australian brand but your shoes were shipped from The Netherlands.
Our warehousing and distribution were very deliberately chosen to be near our factories so we can be responsive and minimise the total distance your shoes have to travel before arriving on your doorstep.
We also protect 5 endangered rainforest trees with every purchase, to carbon compensate for the making and shipping of our shoes and protect our planet against further climate change.
5.
CARE & REPAIR
TREAT YOUR SHOES WITH LOVE, IT WILL MAKE THEM LAST EVEN LONGER.
Enjoy the pleasure of well-made shoes with a timeless design and being able repair, and properly care for your wardrobe.
Please visit our website for detailed care instructions.
6.
OUR STORY
I founded ESSEN as a response to a fashion cycle that overproduces more than it carefully crafts, chases trends more than it determines classics, and wastes more than it sustains.
So I created a permanent collection of no-compromise staples - timeless classics that are reimagined in new ways and made to last.
Moving away from traditional seasons and not being focused on the fashion calendar allows me to take all the time I need and there is no limit to the resources I can invest in my designs. So I take it slow, develop, test, and then release one key piece at a time.
My ambition is to create a footwear brand that upholds a more conscious pace and process and does no harm when it's produced or when it's consumed.
I hope you’ll love your new shoes as much as I enjoyed making them.
