For Marre Muijs, the Creative Director of ESSEN, footwear is an extension of a greater philosophy: to strip back the noise and move away from the transience of fashion, instead focusing on creating a wardrobe that’s foundational and enduring. It’s an ethos that forms the cornerstones of the Australian-based brand, where footwear and accessories are designed and crafted with no compromises, both aesthetically and in the materials, manufacturers and production methods used.

It’s this steadfast approach to both longevity of style and quality that’s led ESSEN to become a favourite amongst fashion-forward circles — a go-to for renowned influencers and editors alike. For Autumn Winter 2025, Whistles has partnered with ESSEN to create a limited-edition five-piece collection, born out of a shared ethos of creating timeless, long-lasting styles for the modern wardrobe. In light of that, we caught up with ESSEN founder and Creative Director Marre Muijs at our head office, delving deep into her background, the design ethos of ESSEN and the collaborative collection.

You founded ESSEN in 2016. What was it that sparked the desire to create the brand, and can you tell us about its founding principles?

ESSEN is founded on conscious design, considered consumption and ethical manufacturing. Those guiding principles inform every step that I take and every decision that I make. It really came about from spending so much time in the industry and realising, as time went on, how much it was missing the mark and how we needed to change its processes — to be more responsible and have less of a negative impact on the planet. I really wanted to focus on quality, buying less and buying better, creating those foundational pieces in your wardrobe that you’ll still love in five to ten years or more. So with ESSEN, the goal is to create a permanent collection of no-compromise staples — it’s those wardrobe pieces you keep reaching for, day after day, focusing on an intentional wardrobe while reducing your environmental impact.

“I really wanted to focus on quality, buying less and buying better, creating those foundational pieces in your wardrobe that you’ll still love in five to ten years or more.”

Can you tell us about your collaboration with Whistles and what drew you to working alongside us?

What drew me to Whistles, firstly, was the brand’s focus on creating foundational pieces for a modern wardrobe — the same approach that guides my design principles. I lived in London for five years, so I’ve always had a soft spot for Whistles, but I think in terms of the quality, the fit, the tailoring, the focus on the details — there were a lot of synergies from a design point of view, so it felt like a really natural fit. We have a wonderful community in the UK that has supported ESSEN from the very beginning, and we’re delighted to finally offer them the opportunity to experience our shoes firsthand — to feel the materials, explore the fit and witness the craftsmanship that defines every pair.

What is your approach to selecting collaborative partners for ESSEN?

It always comes about quite organically, either through a mutual appreciation, a focus on a new product or a need for a product. It always starts with a conversation, but in terms of actually deciding whether we proceed, we have to be aligned on values. ESSEN is a value-led brand, so I loved when I knew Whistles from a product point of view and that there was a lot of close alignment there, but then also how strict it was with its social practices and the traceability in its supply chain. When I make claims about sustainable materials or responsible leathers, you can see these on the website and you can download them, so I loved how rigorous the process with Whistles was as well. Generally speaking, it always starts with a conversation and, if we align on values, then we proceed.

“What drew me to Whistles, firstly, was the brand’s focus on creating foundational pieces for a modern wardrobe — the same approach that guides my design principles.”

Your footwear has long been a favourite of influencers and editors alike. How important has it been for ESSEN to build this tight-knit community surrounding your brand?

Community is at the heart of everything we do, and it’s of course from a press and influencer perspective as well. We’re very selective with who we work with, since we produce in small batches or made to order. It’s also really important from a customer standpoint, because we work on those foundational pieces and it always starts with a need. We work very closely with our customers to understand what they want in their wardrobe, what colours they’re looking for, or even when a design is out in the market, understanding how it fits, if they have any concerns. Then with the artisans we work with, it’s about telling their story and celebrating their craft with the wider ESSEN community. It’s a constant design dialogue and I get inspired by women’s daily lives. We’re always so busy and on our feet and we have to be comfortable, but we still want to look good, so it’s great to have that constant feedback dialogue. It’s so amazing to see influencers, celebrities and press being so supportive of the brand, but I also get equally excited when I see people walking down the street in ESSEN shoes.

“With the artisans we work with, it’s about telling their story and celebrating their craft with the wider ESSEN community. It’s a constant design dialogue and I get inspired by women’s daily lives.”