wolffpoint.com / @wolffpoint / WOLFF. x Riudavets pre-order campaign
Aiming to offer a more sustainable consuming world, Laure Wolff’s passion is transmissible. We couldn’t resist to introduce her newly launched studio WOLFF. : a meeting point between brands & artisans. With WOLFF. Laure joins forces with artisans she selects to present limited edition collections. Together they create consciously built products, that are meant to last in time, with the aim to reconnect clients with the people behind what they buy. As an agent for change in relation to how we produce and consume, Laure will simply walk away from anything that is not sustainable or ethical. Meaning, trust and human connection are what matters to her.
Read our interview to know more about WOLFF. and the first collaboration capsule with Riudavets.
Hi Laure! You are a stylist, designer and shoe specialist. Tell us a bit more about you, and about your journey in the fashion industry; How did you find your passion for shoes?
I’ve always been pulled to creative fields: music, styling, photography then fashion. My love for shoes took me when I first got the chance to visit a shoe factory in Italy. It was as magical as Charlie and the chocolate factory! I got fascinated immediately by the craft and technique of making and started seeing shoes like a wearable object. I went to study shoe design and shoe making in London and Milan and that’s where everything started.
You recently launched your studio WOLFF. , where you develop footwear, and present limited editions in collaborations with various artisans you select. Congratulations! Could you tell us more about the project? And what is your aim with these limited capsule collections?
Yes finally launched and gave a shape and form to the studio! I wanted to create a meeting point between brands who need support and advice in creating beautiful and sustainable collections, artisans who have skills that are the starting point to everything we create and also, through the collabs for absolutely anyone who wants to buy products and creations that are well made and in harmony with the world we live in. You know, transmission is something very important to me. When I was young I used to go with my grandmother to the tailor where she got dresses made for her. And that was normal to know who makes what you buy. I want to recreate that link with WOLFF. I want my clients to know the people behind what they buy and how it’s made. It’s a matter of meaning, trust and human connection. The collabs are here to offer very well made creations and to get people to discover the artisan’s stories and savoir-faire.
I want my clients to know the people behind what they buy and how it’s made. It’s a matter of meaning, trust and human connection.
How do you choose the designers you collaborate with?
It’s an encounter really. The first collab’ is Riudavets, a brand I worked for 3 years ago and got really touched by their story because it’s a 3 generation story and because of its sustainable aspect. Now I look for collaborations in and above the shoe world as what I mean to offer creations to respond to a complete lifestyle. I recently met a bag designer in Nice, France, where I now live, called Delcasso. I love his work from an aesthetic and material point of view as all is using is up-cycled material. People are making incredible things everywhere. It’s crazy how much know-how there is. I love discovering the makers’ stories and their craft. It inspires me and makes me want to share this through common creations.
It is possible to create in a way that is good, both in respect of the planet and of the human being. We need to accept to change our habits and our goals for a certain type of growth too.
Your very first collection has now been revealed: WOLFF. x RIUDAVETS. A selection of 3 designs. How did the collaboration come about?
I met Amalio 3 years ago in London. He is the grandson of Jose Riudavets who created the brand. I designed a full collection for them and found their shoes so interesting. They are made with an upcycled sole in motorbike tires, they have a pretty rough aspect as they were first worn by field workers to bare the hot grounds of Menorca where the brand was born. I thought the look was actually so “dans l’air du temps” (fashionable). I approached Riudavets again when I decided to start the collaborations with my studio. It was all I was looking for : A simple and rough look, unisex, reflecting joy and simplicity, and we could create together a contemporary collection absolutely sustainable. I really wanted people to discover their brand and story above Avarcas lovers (Menorcan typical sandals).
The sandals are unisex, and eco-responsible. In an industry that can be, on many aspects, quite unethical, how do you manage to keep sustainable values and techniques?
I basically try to walk away from anything that is not. I think it’s today a matter of evidence and respect. It is possible to create in a way that is good, both in respect of the planet and of the human being. We need to accept to change our habits and our goals for a certain type of growth too. The fashion industry has done far too much damage and has created a need to consume fast and more just like the digital world. However if we take our power back and use this as a tool, we can use it to serve us, to communicate, educate and create links. I create products that are supposed to last in time, to be part of a wardrobe consciously built. There is many ways to produce in a better way using innovation and tradition. It’s our responsibility to turn things around and come up with better products and better solutions, adapted to our time, both in terms of identity, culture, issues we are facing. And it’s also and mainly so interesting to works toward this and join forces with artisans and brands in this direction.
Our frenetic ways to live our lives, did it really make sense ? The pandemic situation really challenged me and questioned me on my core needs and on what really matters to me.
How has it been this past year working through lockdown, and under many restrictions? What have you learned about yourself?
It’s been soooo challenging like for everyone else I think! What shocked me most is the big non-sense between this profound need to slow down and the difficulty to do it and accept it. It’s a sad situation that challenges our social lives, interactions, our projections and habits. In so many ways it is a dramatic situation but I hope also an opportunity for change. Our frenetic ways to live our lives, did it really make sense ? The pandemic situation really challenged me and questioned me on my core needs and on what really matters to me. And also on how I want to participate in this world. I’m curious and I must say also a bit afraid to see where it will take us. How is the world gonna look after this ?
What’s next for you and what are you looking forward to?
I want our WOLFF. x Riudavets to live, after the preorder campaign. In shops, on my website (www.wolffpoint.com). I want it to meet people and I hope to see them on people’s feet walking in sunny streets in a summer that I hope to be with joy, freedom and togetherness. I’ll pursue this collaboration from season to season. Then I want to meet makers and artisans locally here in the South Of France. There is a lot of know how to be explored and probably lead me to a collaboration N.2. I also look forward to work with my clients. I got approached by a brand to create sustainable shoes for children. It would be a new territory for me and very exciting.
I mostly look forward to go to the restaurant, have a drink on a terrasse and laugh and travel with the ones I love.
Only a few days left to pre-order the iconic up-cycled & unisex shoes from the limited collection 01 by WOLFF. x Riudavets on ULULE.
