BEHIND THE BRAND - TFR JOURNAL
Jun 19, 2021
The Feeting Room store curates new talent and independent labels, offering the discovery of differentiating concepts and products made and designed in Portugal. You can shop Wolf & Son shoes for MAN and WOMAN on their downtown Porto and Lisbon stores and also online.
Behind the Brand is their journal column showcasing behind-the-scenes access to discover more about the people that make our products in their store. They meet Cristiano and Marta, co-owners of Wolf & Son, and you can read the interview here:
Hi! First off, introductions are in order: What is your name and what is your role at Wolf & Son?
I’m Cristiano Lopes and together with my sister Marta Lopes, we’re both owners, producers and brand managers at Wolf & Son.
What is the story behind Wolf & Son? When did it start and what was the inspiration behind it?
We come from a family of shoe manufacturers — our company is Jovan — and in 2012 we envisioned to create our own footwear label. As manufacturers, we decided to use the best of our expertise and know-how to produce a brand of men’s footwear complemented by a junior line, made of identical shoes. We didn’t want to create just another footwear brand, we wanted to deliver a strong concept and social message. We came to Alexandra Mendes at BLANK to help us develop this idea and create our brand concept, who made an excellent interpretation of what we wanted. Wolf & Son was born in 2013, a footwear brand wrapped around the father-son universe, which later developed into the Wolf Family imaginary.
What are the values that drive Wolf & Son?
We are proud of having a quality product that is well presented alongside the brand imaginary. Wolf & Son is rooted on family heritage and driven to promote unifying bonds. Parents walk side by side with their kids, sharing not only their life journey but also their shoes.
Which image do you personally feel really represents what Wolf & Son is all about?
This campaign image pretty much describes the brand’s concept — a playful family scene that captures the Wolf Family wearing our Albus oxford shoes. Wolf & Son is all about family ties and unifying life experiences. Its ludic universe has an old-school feeling that is proper, understated and timeless.
What are the distinctive features of Wolf and Son’s products?
Wolf & Son reinvents classics of male footwear, presenting new versions that tap into both the masculine and infantile universes. Our collection offers identical shoe models for adults and kids, including unisex models, that allows us to make shoes for all the family. Our high-quality production, clean and timeless character, fresh color palette and old-school feeling have made the brand an international reference, gaining the attention among others from Monocle, Portuguese Soul, Dsection and Vogue Niños.
How does the creative process for your products carry out?
Wolf & Son is not a fast fashion brand, we’re not in constant search for trends. We promote continuity of models across collections, introducing new models each season. We always have very present the challenge of bringing together two worlds that encapsulate two distinct segments of the market in one unifying universe — grownups and kids.
Personally, what is your day like working at Wolf & Son?
Our daily work life at Jovan factory makes us have to manage our time well in order to balance the factory private-label clients and our brand. On the days we’re more dedicated to Wolf & Son, we feel the need to change our mindset from manufacturer to customer, which is not always easy!
Is there a specific product or piece that has proved iconic for the brand?
Our signature sneakers Arabs and Youngi with our exclusive patterned rubber soles, and our Albus oxfords shoes are probably the models that best represent Wolf & Son.
I know one shouldn’t pick favorites but… what is your personal favorite piece from your current collection?
I usually wear Hattai trainers and Youngi sneakers. Possibly I would pick the ones I’m wearing today, Youngi! :)
How has The Feeting Room played into the growth of Wolf & Son?
We started by approaching other markets before exploring the national market. We have been with TFR since 2016, and it was our first partner in Portugal. This has been a wonderful partnership, allowing the label to be showcased in beautiful stores which attract a variety of interesting customers and also launches worldwide sales with the online store. TFR ongoing happenings also create a strong sense of local community which is a very attractive way for Wolf & Son’s clients to engage with the label in an inspired setting.
Behind the Brand is their journal column showcasing behind-the-scenes access to discover more about the people that make our products in their store. They meet Cristiano and Marta, co-owners of Wolf & Son, and you can read the interview here:
Hi! First off, introductions are in order: What is your name and what is your role at Wolf & Son?
I’m Cristiano Lopes and together with my sister Marta Lopes, we’re both owners, producers and brand managers at Wolf & Son.
What is the story behind Wolf & Son? When did it start and what was the inspiration behind it?
We come from a family of shoe manufacturers — our company is Jovan — and in 2012 we envisioned to create our own footwear label. As manufacturers, we decided to use the best of our expertise and know-how to produce a brand of men’s footwear complemented by a junior line, made of identical shoes. We didn’t want to create just another footwear brand, we wanted to deliver a strong concept and social message. We came to Alexandra Mendes at BLANK to help us develop this idea and create our brand concept, who made an excellent interpretation of what we wanted. Wolf & Son was born in 2013, a footwear brand wrapped around the father-son universe, which later developed into the Wolf Family imaginary.
What are the values that drive Wolf & Son?
We are proud of having a quality product that is well presented alongside the brand imaginary. Wolf & Son is rooted on family heritage and driven to promote unifying bonds. Parents walk side by side with their kids, sharing not only their life journey but also their shoes.
Which image do you personally feel really represents what Wolf & Son is all about?
This campaign image pretty much describes the brand’s concept — a playful family scene that captures the Wolf Family wearing our Albus oxford shoes. Wolf & Son is all about family ties and unifying life experiences. Its ludic universe has an old-school feeling that is proper, understated and timeless.
What are the distinctive features of Wolf and Son’s products?
Wolf & Son reinvents classics of male footwear, presenting new versions that tap into both the masculine and infantile universes. Our collection offers identical shoe models for adults and kids, including unisex models, that allows us to make shoes for all the family. Our high-quality production, clean and timeless character, fresh color palette and old-school feeling have made the brand an international reference, gaining the attention among others from Monocle, Portuguese Soul, Dsection and Vogue Niños.
How does the creative process for your products carry out?
Wolf & Son is not a fast fashion brand, we’re not in constant search for trends. We promote continuity of models across collections, introducing new models each season. We always have very present the challenge of bringing together two worlds that encapsulate two distinct segments of the market in one unifying universe — grownups and kids.
Personally, what is your day like working at Wolf & Son?
Our daily work life at Jovan factory makes us have to manage our time well in order to balance the factory private-label clients and our brand. On the days we’re more dedicated to Wolf & Son, we feel the need to change our mindset from manufacturer to customer, which is not always easy!
Is there a specific product or piece that has proved iconic for the brand?
Our signature sneakers Arabs and Youngi with our exclusive patterned rubber soles, and our Albus oxfords shoes are probably the models that best represent Wolf & Son.
I know one shouldn’t pick favorites but… what is your personal favorite piece from your current collection?
I usually wear Hattai trainers and Youngi sneakers. Possibly I would pick the ones I’m wearing today, Youngi! :)
How has The Feeting Room played into the growth of Wolf & Son?
We started by approaching other markets before exploring the national market. We have been with TFR since 2016, and it was our first partner in Portugal. This has been a wonderful partnership, allowing the label to be showcased in beautiful stores which attract a variety of interesting customers and also launches worldwide sales with the online store. TFR ongoing happenings also create a strong sense of local community which is a very attractive way for Wolf & Son’s clients to engage with the label in an inspired setting.
WOLF&SON X THE FEETING ROOM
Oct 01, 2016
We're honored to partner with The Feeting Room making our fall-winter AW16 collection available at the new concept store perfecttly located in downtown Porto (Largo dos Loios, nº89) and downtown Lisbon. The concept store is lifestyle focused and curation is its backbone, only selecting new and special brands to showcase, from shoes to accessories, art, clothing, jewellery and homewear.
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MEET THE WOLF'S
Sep 09, 2016
Our AW—16 campaign proudly presents the Wolf Family, as we're officially extending the men's collection to produce our shoe models for Woman and Girl. Meet THE WOLF's, and catch Mr Wolf, Mrs Wolf, Miss Wolf and Wolf Jr. enjoying family time.
Mr Wolf is loyal, dignified and the noble leader of this clan. Mrs Wolf is gentle, thoughtful and keeps the family together. Lovely Miss Wolf is charming and sparky. Wolf Jr is funny, clever and always stills the show! A family that plays together, stays together!
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Mr Wolf is loyal, dignified and the noble leader of this clan. Mrs Wolf is gentle, thoughtful and keeps the family together. Lovely Miss Wolf is charming and sparky. Wolf Jr is funny, clever and always stills the show! A family that plays together, stays together!
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BEHIND THE SCENES AW16
Sep 05, 2016
A look behind the scenes at the studio photo-shoot for our AW—16 campaign, catching a glance of our new models staring as the Wolf Family. Our new campaign will officialy present The Wolf Clan as we move on to also produce our shoe models for Woman and Girl. We had a fantastic time on set with creative director Alexandra Mendes at BLANK and invited photographer Aloisio Brito. We're exhited to share some shoots as we get ready to introduce you The Wolf's. What can we say... a family that plays together, stays together!
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WOLF&SON X CAIS À PORTA
Aug 18, 2016
We're honored to partner with Cais à Porta making our collection available at the new concept store in Aveiro, Portugal. Cais à Porto presents a curated selection of Fine Portuguese Brands, from menswear to homewear and lifestyle. Check it out when visiting Aveiro!
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BRAND DESIGN AWARD — CCP
Jun 27, 2016
Last month Wolf & Son branding project was honored a bronze design award at the Creatives Club of Portugal 2016. Being a new label on the market, it has been of significant meaning the attention to detail put into writing our brand story to being able to communicate what we are all about. We are proud of our fellowship with studio BLANK under the creative diresction of Alexandra Mendes and collaborators.
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Father's Day Sale
Jun 13, 2016
All week we will be offering a 20% discount on our online store in honor of Father's Day. Enter the discount code #FATHERSDAY on checkout and benefit from the sale on our entire collection for MAN and BOY.
Our label celebrates all the noble pack leaders, and we are making sure you'll be joining our clan to walk with us. Sale lasts until 19th of June. Happy shopping!
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Our label celebrates all the noble pack leaders, and we are making sure you'll be joining our clan to walk with us. Sale lasts until 19th of June. Happy shopping!
READ MORE