We recently sat down with Vagabond to ask them a few questions to dive deeper into their story and the values driving their designs. Find a sneak peak of their words in the post and head to the blog page on our website for the full interview and discover more about the craftsmanship and philosophy behind Vagabond Shoemakers. Interview can be found below.

What inspired the founding of your brand?

Our philosophy is the same today as when we started: to make great-looking shoes for the quality-aware consumer with a lot of attention paid to the important details that count. We were and are determined to make everyday fashion products that can be used over and over again. 

How would you describe the core values of your brand?

We always strive to make a collection that centers around the concept of “everyday heroes” – creating pieces that are lovable and durable that can become trustworthy companions for everyday life. Our brand statement is “Only buy what you really love”, where we encourage our consumers to make conscious decisions when shopping. If you only buy what you really love, we hope it will stay with you for longer - being treasured and used season after season.

What inspires your designs and collections?

We are inspired by a lot of things – from the people we met, to the places we travel to. The Design team also loves looking into our own archives. There we find pieces from up to 30 years back that still feel relevant and fresh today. 

When building our collections we make pieces that we, ourselves, would like to wear. But most importantly, we try to be in-tune with our end consumers. Being perceptive as well as knowing our audience and having done our research is key to creating a collection that really resonates with people.

How does your brand approach sustainability and responsible production?

Sustainability an integral part in all we do and has been for many years. It is a step-by-step journey where we look at all aspects, both socially and environmentally. We work closely with only a few suppliers, and with our own staff present during production, which enables us to continuously identify challenges and act on improvements.

Our main focus is to create well-made and lovable shoes which will last for a long time both in quality and look, as prolonging the lifecycle is essential in sustainable fashion. In addition, we of course look at each component to find more sustainable options. The main material is high quality leather which is sourced from LWG-certified tanneries only. We use leather for its unique features to shape and stand wear & tear over time.

What sets your brand apart in the fashion industry?

We are committed to staying firmly rooted in what’s contemporary and relevant for our wearers worldwide; this means each season we are revolving and evolving. We have developed a self-confidence where we interpret the general influences and infuse them with our unique DNA.  

Our DNA is built on years of vast knowledge of design, material, and construction. At our headquarters in Varberg, Sweden, we have a fully equipped prototype workshop where our ideas can come alive by making thoughtful decisions about shapes, materials, and construction. 

What is your vision for the future of your brand and the fashion industry?

We have a global audience, and we want to reach even wider and further than what we do now. Since we really do believe in our vision, we want to share this with as many people as possible – to create long-lasting design and quality that stands the test of time. 

That “fast” in fast fashion will continue to be challenged – and rightfully so. We also hope that fashion will continue to be a way of expressing yourself and connecting people worldwide.   

Why do you think your brand is a great fit for Studio S?

Both Studio S and Vagabond Shoemakers core values are timeless classics, quality, striving to make sustainable choices and offering items that can be mixed and matched with your existing wardrobe in a fashionable and creative way, season after season. We also love the esthetic of Studio S that Esther has so thoughtfully created. We couldn’t be a better match!