Song for the adidas
Connecting the dots with SFTM
With a tagline that reads, “A long-form story,” it’s no surprise that the Australian-based label is driven by their love of sharing narratives. We sit down with co-founders Lyna and Melvin to talk about the exciting places their storytelling is bringing them - from Song for the Mute’s 22.2 collection that goes back in time, drawing on Lyna’s personal experience growing up in Paris, to the brand’s buzzworthy collaboration with adidas that’s opening new doors.
Tell us more about the inspiration behind Song for the Mute’s latest collection ‘Les Olympiades.’
Lyna: I spent the first 10 years of my life at Les Olympiades. I lived in a brutalist tower that was part of the urbanist housing project in the 13th Arrondissement. I remember the sounds from sitting in the esplanade, listening to all the people from different backgrounds speaking in different dialects. This chapter reflects on my memories of these people, the location, and the distinctly communal lifestyle.
“A lot of my design choices for this collection are an ode to the energy in Paris at the time - chaotic, loud and gritty.”
Neon sports jackets, oversized coach jackets, stonewashed denim, and worn-out sneakers intentionally reference the people I came across, all paired with the clashing textures and bold colours of the 13th.
Is there a certain piece from the collection that you feel best represents Les Olympiades, and in what way?
Lyna: The V-Lad Zip Up Jacket is a new shape which really sums up the collection for me. When designing this collection, I had this one ‘character’ in mind - a teenager wearing a matching tracksuit, jacket zipped up, collars popped, pants tucked into socks and sneakers. He acted tough and thought he was cool, but in reality, he was quite tacky. The design itself embodies this character, involving several different panels pieced together with complex woven fabrics - a complete reinvention of the iconic 90s track jacket in an elevated way.
What was your style like back in the day?
Melvin: I remember always looking to my brother and what he was wearing for inspiration. He graduated high school in the late 90s and was into denim brands like 26Red and Klue. Baggy jeans paired with a vintage Levi’s worker jacket. It gave off such a carefree vibe with a bit of a rebellious attitude. If I could give my past self a fashion tip, it’d be this:
“Your outfit can be an expression of who you are, have fun with it.”
What can fans expect from the first of your collaboration with adidas?
Melvin: Our upcoming collaboration will feature a 10-piece unisex collection and 3 footwear colourways which combine SFTM silhouettes with adidas Originals innovative fabrications. The “SFTM-001” Shadowturf is another reference to the 90s, reinterpreting the vintage-inspired sneaker and presenting it in a new light. This collection and those in the future will feature our “Song for the Trefoil” logo and house motif of seven dots.
“It’s symbolic of the partnership between SFTM and adidas Originals, and a representation of a shared sense of community that runs through both of our brand DNAs.”
Designing footwear has always been a dream for us and our new collaboration with adidas Originals has challenged our team in every way possible. It’s a completely different ballgame that required continuous months of work. On top of this, collaborating with a design team of adidas’ calibre presented a whole other level of forward planning and innovative thinking. It’s hard to explain how surreal this whole experience has been and we’re eternally grateful.
Image courtesy of Song for the Mute
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