Words by: Max Bengtsson
Images by: Sam Wong
Like many of our Colourful Language friends, Marre Muijs is an all-rounder.
She has worked in creative and branding roles, spent time with a footwear wholesaler in Melbourne, and completed a four-year stint in London.
She is now the owner, designer, marketer, accountant, and everything-in-between behind ESSEN — a label creating timeless, sophisticated footwear designed to be accessible for all.
Marre’s Picks
Conversation with Marre Muijs
Marre is the final guest in Colourful Language Season One — the closing chapter of an epic and colourful creative journey.
We spoke about ESSEN, her approach to reimagining classic footwear, and her focus on stripping design back to what is essential.
We also explored her experience in the fashion industry across Europe and how it compares to the Melbourne creative scene.
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My boss was a fourth generation shoemaker — I learned quickly about what’s involved in crafting a beautiful and technically sound shoe. That's when the penny really dropped.
Travelling the world with her boss, visiting factories and learning the technical side of shoemaking sparked Marre’s deep appreciation for footwear design.
At the same time, she became increasingly aware of industry waste and the lack of accessible, timeless footwear.
This tension led her to create ESSEN — a brand balancing environmental awareness with affordability and longevity.
Marre is deeply conscious of waste in fashion — from material excess to toxic production methods.
To address this, she works closely with small factories and produces seasonless staples.
This allows her to avoid overproduction and reduce waste, while also supporting factories during quieter production periods.
It also ensures fast response to demand without holding excess stock.
If something doesn’t work — especially colour — she avoids ending up with unsold inventory.
After working across Paris and London, Marre chose to build ESSEN in Australia.
She was inspired by the Melbourne creative community and its distinct identity.
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In the Netherlands and London, people are always on the go, which influences their fashion choices. Maybe that’s where my desire for practical footwear comes from.
A recent ESSEN collection features a soft white-blue tone closely aligned with our Bubble Bath colour.
This connection made Marre’s Colourful Language project a natural fit.
She created a layered canvas artwork inspired by texture, materiality, and colour exploration.
Using plaster and sanding techniques, she built up depth over time — alternating between painting, sanding, and rebuilding layers.
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It's been very rewarding having that tangible product at the end and having time to think creatively again.
Explore ESSEN
Follow: https://www.instagram.com/essenthelabel/?hl=en
Website: https://essenthelabel.com/
