WOLLO X DOEDE MARKET
Behind the name Wollo are Martine and Malu. From a ten-year friendship, a shared passion grew into a sustainable dream. With Wollo, they give existing materials a new life: through upcycling, they transform vintage wool blankets into unique, tangible items.
Especially for Doede Market, they made stuffed animals from wool blankets, inspired by Doede's favorite animal. But we like to leave room for imagination. Do you see a goose or a duck, or perhaps a swan? It is precisely this free interpretation that makes each cuddly toy not only suitable for Doede but also for the one who will soon embrace it as their best friend.
A stuffed animal is an item that a baby can grow up with from birth. Perhaps first as a pillow in bed, as this shape is ideal for that. As a measuring stick to record the child's growth. Because before you know it, the child will outgrow the stuffed animal and carry it around under their arm, like best friends. It is an item that stores memories, which will later make you think back to your childhood.
We are curious about Martine and Malu's childhood. About their warmest memories and how they resonate in everything they create with Wollo.
1. How exactly did the idea for Wollo originate during your friendship?
We have been friends for years and have long shared the desire to create something special together.
For years, there was a mint green wool blanket from grandma in the attic, full of memories. When my nephew was born, we wanted to give him a lasting and personal keepsake. That's how the first Wollo giraffe came to be.
2. What attracts you so much to working with vintage blankets?
Searching for the blankets and discovering beautiful prints is a special and enjoyable journey. Each blanket has its own story. It is precisely these stories that we bring back into the animals by giving the prints a new life. This makes each piece unique and extra special.
3. What attracts you so much to working with vintage blankets?
Searching for the blankets and discovering beautiful prints is a special and enjoyable journey. Each blanket has its own story. It is precisely these stories that we bring back into the animals by giving the prints a new life. This makes each piece unique and extra special.
4. You work with existing fabrics, does that also bring surprises or challenges?
We really had to learn and think creatively to make the most of the blankets. Even the smallest scraps get a purpose: for example, we make festive flags from them.
In addition, we have delved into repairing and carefully cleaning the blankets, so that each piece of material comes into its own again.
5. What is your warmest childhood memory?
Martine: In the past, when I stayed at my grandmother's, I always slept under a warm, heavy, mint green wool blanket. Sleeping at grandma's with my sister were the most wonderful nights.
Malu: My parents often took us on long journeys. There, I could wander for hours on the beach, looking for the most beautiful shells. I could entertain myself endlessly making bracelets and necklaces.
6. Did you have a favorite stuffed animal or item yourselves?
Martine: I had Poppie, and at one point he was so worn out that my mother and I went to pick out new pieces of fabric together. I felt which one was the softest, and that was then sewn onto Poppie by my mother. Poppie even had his own passport, which was stamped by customs on every trip.
Malu: Max and Bob, the big and small bears, went everywhere with me.
7. What do you hope a child will remember later about a Wollo cuddly toy?
We hope that Wollos are given with love and grow into cherished memories.
8. How do you see the future for yourselves, what are your dreams?
We hope for many beautiful and sustainable collaborations, such as with Doede Market, and that we can continue to create and design. In addition, we dream of further growing our webshop and making as many people happy as possible with our products and with the story of sustainability that we tell.