Wolf & Maiden

WORDS: Remy Raitt

With a move back to basics, a “wolf” and his “maiden” are on an adventure to create functional designs from honest, locally sourced materials.

The wolf, Wade Ross Skinner, and maiden, Mischa Solovei, are Furntech’s newest incubation clients and have been producing long-lasting leather accessories and wooden lights since May this year.

“We want to create items that will grow with the owners,” says Wade. “Heirlooms are becoming redundant but we want to make things that people can pass down.”

With a focus on evolving as a brand, the two say they never stop thinking about new design items. “It’s the most pervasive job in the world, which isn’t a bad thing,” says Wade. “It just makes sleeping a hassle sometimes.”

As an incubation client, the Wolf & Maiden brand – which can be recognised by its arrow motif – receives invaluable support from Furntech. This centre of excellence for the furniture industry provides incubation facilities for aspiring entrepreneurs with skills in the industry.

Although Wolf & Maiden currently produces a range of leather accessories as well, the pair would like to focus solely on furniture and interior design solutions in future.

Their Beam me up Scotty table and floor lamps are the first in their furniture stable. “The lamp works like a deckchair,” says Wade. With clean, sharp lines and simple geometry, the idea for the design was born during a session of late-night sketching when Wade realised that most lamps shed the majority of their light on the base of the lamp – hence the adjustable head, which casts light in a number of directions. Made from kiaat or maple, the organic materials for this simple design are ethically sourced. The wood also perfectly complements the rigid lines of the design.

The practical, functional aspects of design keep Wade busy, while Mischa, who has a background in fine art, focuses on the finer details and aesthetic qualities of their products. “I am in the process of creating an illustrative textile at the moment,” says Mischa. “I love the playful and escapist ways of doing things. I want to bring fun back into design.”

New furniture and textiles are only the first steps in what promises to be an exciting journey for the duo. “We don’t want to place any limitations on what we make. We have plans to branch out further, but we’re doing it slowly. People might have to hunt for our designs, but we quite like the idea of that,” Wade says.

Wolf & Maiden employ local craftspeople to produce their products. Each design item is signed and dated by the person who made it, creating a platform for these artisans to become recognised too. “We want to showcase local talent and give craftspeople the chance to grow with us,” Wade explains.

And grow they no doubt will. With the ambition and foresight these two designers possess, we predict that more than one design bracket will be pierced with the Wolf & Maiden arrow.

More information: www.wolfandmaiden.com, create@wolfandmaiden.com, www.furntech.org.za