Maggie Hewitt: Hi Marre! It’s so nice to be sitting down for this chat ahead of our Maggie Marilyn x ESSĒN launch - it feels like our collaboration has been in motion for a while now, so it feels exciting to finally get these pieces out into the world! What has the collaboration process been like for you and do you have a particular style or colour you’re most excited about?

Marre Muijis: It has! It immediately felt like a meeting of minds. I love how this purpose-driven collaboration has brought together our brands’ commitment to responsibility whilst celebrating craftsmanship, quality and longevity.

I usually work with neutral colours so I had so much fun re-introducing my designs in vibrant colours to complement your collection – The Foundation Flat in Metallic Pink is my personal favourite, they look so good with denim and a white tee.

MH: To go back a little, could you share with our community the work you do in the world with ESSĒN and the background that led you to wanting to create a footwear brand that upheld a more conscious design process and designed out waste?

MM: Before I started ESSĒN I tried various jobs in fashion and creative industries and it took me a bit of time to find my footing, if I’m honest. The more I worked in the industry, the more I understood how it was missing the mark and needed to redirect itself to be more responsible and considered, more inclusive and less compromising in its products and processes.

I grew increasingly frustrated and creatively exhausted by the relentless cycles and seasons and endless pursuit of newness. I craved a slower pace and more conscious process. Despite working in the footwear industry, I could not find good quality, timeless shoes that were comfortable and ethically made. The industry was oversaturated with disposable and poorly made products and I needed to rethink how I was going to contribute to something that I loved, but in a way that aligned with my personal values.

ESSĒN is about versatile dressing so you can minimize what’s in your wardrobe. We offer a permanent collection of no-compromise staples: Timeless classics that have been reimagined in new ways to feel chic without any effort. Moving away from trends and traditional seasons and not being focused on the fashion calendar allows me to take the time and utmost care when designing the shoes to ensure lasting appeal.

MH: One of the things that drew me towards putting a Maggie Marilyn-spin on the Foundation Flat was the enduring elegance of a ballet flat. When designing MM I always think about what shoes I’d pair with each piece and I’m always striving for a balance between high and low so that no outfit ever feels “restricted” i.e. dressing up denim with a barely-there stiletto, or dressing down a floor-length dress with sparkly pink ballet flats. How would you describe your design philosophy?

MM: My design philosophy has always centered around a respect for those key items in your wardrobe – meaningful essentials that stand the test of time and balance design, interesting details and comfort. I believe that what a woman wears has a direct impact on how she feels. To me, shoes are the foundation of a great outfit and can be quite transformative – they carry us, add to our height, alter our posture and affect our confidence. I’m inspired by women’s day-to-day realities. Busy lifestyles call for practical yet stylish shoes and especially now; comfort is luxury.

My shoes are hardworking, reimagined classics; wearable and sophisticated, but never boring. I want women to feel confident and comfortable when wearing her ESSĒN shoes. Having some constraints in terms of design and the materials and resources I can work with from a sustainability perspective allows for more creative thinking and solutions.

MH: Working with ESSĒN was such an easy decision because our businesses share a commitment to championing sustainable change and treading lightly on the planet. What values or initiatives are you most proud of at ESSĒN?

MM: Since I started ESSĒN in 2016, transparency and ethical manufacturing have been key pillars of the brand, rather than a “nice to have” or a marketing strategy. I wholeheartedly believe that our most valuable resources are people and our planet, and I’ve always been focused on protecting both throughout the manufacturing process.

ESSĒN started as a slow fashion brand and I’ve always made my shoes in very small batches to minimize overproduction, however a couple of years ago I transitioned to producing on-demand, and while it is a significantly more complex model it eliminates overproduction completely and minimizes waste up to 90% compared with traditional manufacturing processes.

It took quite a bit of time to change the mindset of my current manufacturing partners to not expect bulk orders upfront, but instead produce in small quantities or entirely made-to-order. While this meant that I was unable to continue working with some manufacturing partners, I have built very strong relationships and friendships with my current workshops which has been very rewarding.

Two years ago, we introduced blockchain technology which enabled our customers to trace the journey of their shoes via a QR code on their shoebox. We’ve now taken our transparency efforts to a new level by introducing technology that enables us to translate the information and certifications we already have into verified and verifiable values so customers can understand the impact before purchasing. This technology also helps me identify which areas need improving so that we can make a greater positive impact.

MH: And lastly, what’s your favourite piece from our upcoming collection, The Best of It?

MM: I haven’t stopped thinking about that beautiful long white dress - the Morning Sun Dress... That will be my summer uniform.

Learn more about ESSĒN The Label here.

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