About Us

 Welcome to Essex Harlan, a family-owned brand born out of love for the Lower East Side and a passion for sustainable fashion. Founded in 2023 by a married couple, Bin Shen (a.k.a me!) and Kerem Kazan, Essex Harlan draws inspiration from the vibrant energy of our neighborhood, particularly the historic Essex Market.

With a background in apparel design and sustainable fashion product development, as well as a deep-rooted passion for nature and the planet, I have dedicated myself to building Essex Harlan from the ground up, always keeping sustainability at the forefront of our mission.

Growing up in a farming village in Yunnan, China, I developed a profound appreciation for the environment and the importance of preserving our planet for future generations. This upbringing has shaped my values and drives my commitment to creating environmentally conscious fashion products that minimize our impact on the planet.

At Essex Harlan, we take pride in our commitment to local manufacturing. Every garment is designed, sourced, and manufactured right here in New York City. We prioritize partnerships with local suppliers and trusted recycling organizations, as well as working closely with family-owned manufacturers.

We source end-of-the-roll fabrics, recycled materials, and dead-stock fabrics, each of which presents its own unique challenges in the design process. These fabrics are unusual and often in limited supply, which makes each garment truly one-of-a-kind.

While working with these materials may be more challenging, we believe it's worth it to create truly unique and sustainable pieces. Each garment receives the attention and respect it deserves, resulting in timeless designs that reflect our commitment to quality and craftsmanship.

We want to make things meaningful, unique, and special again.

Thank you for joining us on this journey towards a more sustainable future. We invite you to explore our collection and discover the beauty of Essex Harlan.

Warm regards,
Bin & Kerem