When Wolford and Amina Muaddi were designing their latest collaborative line, they had women of all types in mind. The clothing and accessories company connected with the emerging shoe designer to create an array of pieces that celebrated flexibility, unique design, and luxury. Pieces in the collection—such as toe thong tights, stirrup pants, and bodysuits with collars—offer something contemporary for women that desires versatility and adaptation, and want a little pizazz.
Silvia Azzali, the Chief Commercial Officer of Wolford, spoke with Whitewall about Wolford’s dedication to women empowerment and how its latest line with Muaddi continues its mission.
Portrait of Silvia Azzali courtesy of Wolford.
WHITEWALL: What about Amina Muaddi drew Wolford in for a collaboration?
SILVIA AZZALI: Wolford has always firmly believed in the innovative potential of collaborators, whose talent could enrich our products and challenge the boundaries of our experience. Amina Muaddi’s creativity and present-day vision represents a new important stimulus for us to explore modern femininity and offer garments to the women of today through which they can express their identity.
WW: What does the world of Wolford represent today?
SA: Women empowerment! Wolford strives to inspire, celebrate, and empower all women. For over 70 years, Wolford has been committed to creating garments women could move freely while feeling fabulous, liberating women from tight corsets and uncomfortable suspenders and making stockings obsolete. Constantly pushing innovation and the usage of high-performance yarns, Wolford has not only changed the hosiery business but has introduced items of clothing, like the bodysuits, that have forever changed the fashion landscape and its narrative.
Wolford x Amina Muaddi, courtesy of Wolford.
WW: How does this collaboration with Amina Muaddi continue the idea of women empowerment?
SA: Emphasizing the beauty of the female body, enhancing the individual certainty of each woman through glamorous garments that envelop the body like a second skin—this is the mission shared by Wolford and Amina Muaddi.
WW: How is the house considering sustainability when designing and producing new pieces?
SA: Sustainability has been an integral part of our company’s DNA for over 70 years, setting ever-higher standards for the whole fashion industry. We are pioneers with our two Gold C2C certificates from 2018, and have managed to launch the first “Cradle to Cradle Golden Certified” collection, both for the Biological and Technical Cycle. We are the first brand in the industry that have achieved this goal. The path is still long but we have made a commitment and we are incrementing year on year the number of styles that are good for our consumers and for the environment.
Wolford is also a leader in the production of circular knitted goods, which are more sustainable and any other fabrics, as pre-consumer waste is practically inexistent. In addition, we were the first brand to enter into a partnership with the Bluesign system, which provides safer and more sustainable environments for people to work in and everyone to live in. Powered by a holistic approach, Bluesign traces each textile’s path along the manufacturing process, making improvements at every stage—from the factory floor to the finished product. Bluesign changes the environmental impact of textiles for good.
Our R&D and Product experts have always been committed to delivering the most durable product as possible to our consumer. The company has never ever believed or embraced planned obsolescence. A pair of Wolford tights, in general, lasts at least three times longer.
Wolford x Amina Muaddi, courtesy of Wolford.
WW: What is Wolford’s typical design process like? How does combined inspiration and research result in a new product?
SA: Our design team research texture, color, market demand, trend, and images internationally to have an ideation process. After the team shares their idea, they create the mood board and sketches. They combine sketches with the texture and the color palette and create the draft of the collection.
The inspiration comes from all team members, and then they present their season collections to the teams and me. From here, we complete the selection. This process is essential for me because our team’s inspiration truly reflects the trend and presents the essence of Wolford.
Wolford x Amina Muaddi, courtesy of Wolford.
WW: What are you working on next?
SA: We have many incredible projects coming up. We are planning more collaborations and the launch of a men’s collection. Also, relaunching new swimwear and lingerie.
