Interview Introduction: Song for the Mute(SFTM)
Founded in Australia in 2010 by creative duo Melvin Tanaya and Lyna Ty, Song for the Mute(SFTM) has spent over 15 years building a profound legacy under the philosophy of being a ‘voice for the voiceless’. Eschewing traditional seasonal labels, they present their work as ‘Chapters,’ treated like unfolding narratives rooted in rigorous design research and distinct conceptual clarity. Their unique aesthetic has resonated globally, worn by icons such as Jennie(BLACKPINK), Jung Kook(BTS), Usher, Papa Roach, and Linkin Park, fostering a cult-like fandom so dedicated that some members even carry the brand’s identity in tattoos.
While SFTM’s main line reflects the premium positioning of a niche designer label—justified by meticulous craftsmanship, high-quality textiles (often sourced from Japan and Australia), and obsessive attention to detail, such as custom-engraved hardware—their collaborative journey with adidas has opened a new portal for enthusiasts. Since the debut of [SFTM-001] in the <Les Olympiades> chapter, the partnership has allowed a broader audience to experience SFTM’s world through a more accessible lens, further solidifying their presence in the Korean market and beyond. As a long-time collector of both their main line and nearly every adidas collaboration, my personal affinity for the brand runs deep.
To celebrate the global release of the SFTM x adidas 007 collection on May 15th, we sat down with the SFTM team for an exclusive email interview. Despite their demanding schedule and the fast-approaching launch, they shared thoughtful, in-depth insights into their creative process and the latest chapter of their ongoing story.
about SONG FOR THE MUTE
: ShoeTalkWe attended the <SFTM x ADIRUN01> presentation event at the TUNE store in Seoul last month. Everyone who attended had great things to say, and we also felt it was a highly meaningful time. Bringing the sample versions and talking through the materials prepared directly by the designer was a fresh and unique experience. How did the SFTM team feel about it?
: SFTMIt felt important to slow the process down and speak to the work in person. Bringing early samples and material studies into that space allowed for a more honest exchange — not just showing finished objects, but sharing how they came to be. The response in Seoul was generous and engaged, which made it a meaningful moment for the team.
: ShoeTalkWe have noticed throughout previous collections, as well as the minimalist typography and clean design of the presentation, that SFTM is very much rooted in graphic design(for example, the hand-drawn effect on the footwear & knit & tshirt, high quality lookbook, or the graphics on the knitwear). What are your thoughts on this?
: SFTMGraphic design and our hand-drawn illustrations by our Design Director, Karim Gaaloul, has always been part of how ideas are clarified. It’s less about decoration and more about structure — how something is communicated, framed, and understood. Whether it’s a printed illustration, a lanyard, or a page of our loobook, the intention is the same: to make the idea legible without overexplaining it.
: ShoeTalkLooking at SFTM official website(songforthemute.com), we noticed interactive elements and a great deal of effort put into the archive(Campaign-Lookbook-Inspiration-note). This is a rare sight for a designer brand environment that has to achieve maximum efficiency with a very small team. How do you manage and resolve these operational challenges?
: SFTMIt’s a constant balance. The team is small, so everything requires prioritisation and clarity. A lot of it comes down to building systems early — templates, archives, ways of working — so that each season isn’t starting from zero. The archive is important because it gives the work continuity, even if the output is evolving.
: ShoeTalkThe work of SFTM is always built around a very clear concept, which is fascinating. The lookbooks matching the concept, the high quality of the graphic design, and the final fashion items are all fantastic. With this level of quality, do you think it might be time to create a separate design agency?
: SFTMNot at this stage. Everything feeds back into the same world, so separating it would dilute that focus. The interest is in building depth within the brand rather than expanding outward too quickly.
: ShoeTalkSFTM mentioned that there are various staff members on the team. Roughly how many people are involved in running the operation? I’m also curious about their roles and areas of responsibility.
: SFTMThe team is relatively small, with each person covering multiple areas. There’s a core group across design, development, production, and operations, supported by extended collaborators depending on the project. It’s quite fluid, but that allows for a closer connection to the work at every stage.
about SONG FOR THE MUTE x adidas 007(SFTM x adidas 007)
: ShoeTalkThis is already your 7th collaboration with adidas Originals. We are curious to know how the very first project #001, came to be.
: SFTMThe relationship with adidas Originals started back in 2018 when Patrick Ng reached out to me through WeChat. At the time, a lot of collaborations were centred around major global names, but Patrick was looking for something that brought a different perspective within the Asia Pacific region. He had been seeing Song for the Mute appear in more stores and was interested in our approach to craftsmanship, textiles, colour, and materiality.
In the beginning, there wasn’t really a fixed plan for what the collaboration would become. It started more as an open conversation and exploration between both teams. Over time, that relationship naturally developed into [SFTM-001], and from there it continued to grow into the ongoing series of chapters we’re still building together today.
: ShoeTalkYou mentioned that the concept for this collaboration is the school, “the charm of mismatched childhood uniforms.” Where did the inspiration for this start?
: SFTMThe idea started with wanting to bring adidas Originals back to school. When we were first given the Samba LX and Tokyo silhouettes, the conversation became less about the shoes themselves and more about the world surrounding them. Karim, our Design Director, had an old photograph of his brother in primary school wearing a PE uniform, and that image became the starting point for the collection.
From there, we started building this school themed world around everyday details we remembered growing up — gym bags thrown onto the ground, names written in marker, scuffed and worn out shoes, uniforms worn differently by each student. Those small details helped shape the direction of the collection.
: ShoeTalkThe SFTM x adidas 007 collection introduces the Samba FREZEIT and the Tokyo. SFTM’s reinterpretations are always fun. Why were these two shoes selected, and what specific elements should our readers look out for?
: SFTMThe Tokyo and Samba LX Freizeit mark our eighth and ninth silhouettes developed with adidas Originals, which is why they carry the [SFTM-008] and [SFTM-009] tags. Once the school narrative was established, the Tokyo naturally leaned into the PE side of the story, while the Samba became the everyday uniform shoe.
For the Tokyo, the focus was on creating something that felt both technical and nostalgic at the same time. We worked with a newly developed nylon that had a unique shine and texture — something that felt technical and new, but at the same time almost vintage. We also wanted to reference classic adidas Originals colourways through the Bluebird palette, while introducing more unexpected tones across the collection. Details like the herringbone tape, paint splatter treatment across the toe, and slightly scuffed suede and sole helped bring a worn in feeling to the silhouette.
With the Samba LX Freizeit, materiality became the focus. We developed two distinct material maps for the colourways. The brown pair was inspired by the feeling of an old vintage leather couch — soft, worn in, and familiar. The black pair referenced a traditional school shoe, with slightly crinkled textures and details that felt more uniform and structured. The layered duct tape effect around the welt stitching came from the idea of kids trying to repair and prolong the life of their shoes after wearing them down over time.
: ShoeTalkIn the SFTM x adidas 007 lookbook, the models are floating in the air, and the shoes are also floating. What kind of message or image were you trying to capture here?
: SFTMWe wanted the campaign to feel suspended in time — capturing this sense of youthful energy, restlessness, and instability. The floating bodies and shoes became a way of expressing that feeling visually, almost like the subjects are caught between moments.
The campaign continues the dialogue between Song for the Mute, creative director Stephen Mann, and photographers Ethan and Tom. Set within lived in domestic interiors, the spaces feel suburban, dated, and quietly recognisable. The frames feel observational rather than overly staged — bodies collapsing onto beds, leaning into walls, instinctive and unguarded. There’s this sense of after school relief and youthful angst running throughout the imagery.
The suspended figures and floating footwear push that tension further. We wanted subjects to appear slightly off balance, caught mid movement — just before or just after the moment. For the footwear specifically, we liked the idea of the shoes feeling almost like characters within the scene rather than traditional product stills sitting flat on the ground.
: ShoeTalkIf you had to pick just one best item from the SFTM x adidas 007 collaboration, which would it be?
: SFTMIf we had to choose one piece, it would probably be the gym tote bag. We spent a huge amount of time developing it because it became such an important part of the narrative surrounding the collection. We imagined it as the bag the character would carry their shoes in and throw around after school, so every detail had to feel believable and lived in.
A lot of effort went into the treatments — the dirt appearance is actually printed into the denim, combined with natural dye and distressing techniques to create this washed and worn feeling. We were very particular about getting that balance right, and probably pushed the development team quite hard throughout the process. So, a huge thank you to the adidas Originals team!
Details like the adidas handwriting graphic also helped reinforce the handmade and personal quality we wanted the piece to carry. Even though it functions as an everyday tote with elements like a detachable shoulder strap and padded laptop compartment, it still feels deeply connected to the story and emotion of the collection.
: ShoeTalkMusic seems to be a vital part of SFTM’s DNA. We’ve seen various musicians like Fontaines D.C., Papa Roach, and Linkin Park featured on your social media, and your collaboration with Boys Noize for the <2000> campaign was truly impressive. If you could pick a song or playlist that perfectly captures the vibe of this collection what would it be?
: SFTMThis is a good question. <TURNSTILE – HOLIDAY> was the song that inspired our SS26 collection — 26.1 Yearbook and SFTM x adidas 007.
