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.
W&SO ONLINE SHOP
Nov 18, 2015
Our online shop is officially open! You can now purchase our AW—15 fall winter collection for Man and Boy directly on our site. We hope you enjoy our online experience and welcome any comments so we can improve our service. Wolf & Son has an after-sales costumer service to help solve any problem related to our products or deliveries. Happy shopping!
READ MORE
READ MORE
WOLF&SON X PORTCORNER
Oct 09, 2015
Wolf & Son AW15 collection is now available at the Portcorner, a carefully cureted online store that aims at affirming Portuguese design and manufacture. The selected products in fashion/lifestyle by homegrown and international brands, are chosen to herald the quality of both 'Designed in Portugal' and 'Made in Portugal', from traditional to contemporary. We're honored to partner with The Portcorner making our product available to those who seek a stylish footwear with superior fabrication, from this beautiful corner by the sea.
READ MORE
READ MORE
WOLF&SON X J. LISBON
Oct 07, 2015
Wolf & Son fall-winter AW15 collection is now available at J. Lisbon online shop. J. Lisbon presents a curated selection of menswear brands, displaying them in its most realistic fashion, almost like a street style portrait. We're honored to partner with J.Lisbon making our product available to those who seek a stylish and comfortable footwear. "Classic shapes, comfortable shoes and beautiful, flashy colors. The outcome is a beautiful balance of contrasts." — J. Lisbon
READ MORE
READ MORE
Campaign AW—15
Sep 28, 2015
Wolf & Son fall-winter collection introduces new shoe models and new color combinations to our favorite revisited kicks. A darker color palette highlighted with fresh tones and the warm textures of raw materials serve as a backdrop to the various set designs. The still life AW—15 photo campaign is styled around the timeless and fun board games, as we bring out the twister, the scrabble and the nougats and crosses for some nice family time.
READ MORE
READ MORE
LOOKBOOK AW—15
Sep 14, 2015
Wolf & Son's fall-winter lookbook introduces new shoe models and new color combinations to our favorite revisited kicks, for both man and boy, from the lines Classic, Signature, Casual and Sport. A darker color palette is highlighted with fresh new tones — burgundy, brick, moss. We introduce the textures of warm flannel and fabric mesh to our selection of high quality raw materials. Our AW—15 lookbook is an easy to use tab catalogue, full with color, creativity and technical details on the shoe models. Take a closer look inside!
READ MORE
READ MORE
Meet us in Milan
Aug 28, 2015
Wolf & Son will be present at the footwear tradefair MICAM from 1 to 4 of September, in Milan, showcasing the new Spring Summer 16 collection. Visit our Pop-Up Shop exhibition stand at PAD 7 Stand D11 and get to know our label and product first hand. Come around to say hello and get in touch regarding orders and business partnerships. We welcome fellowships with retailers looking to represent our MAN line and BOY line in your store or online shop. We look forward to your visit!
READ MORE
READ MORE