Sock Affairs is a Lisbon-based apparel brand bringing a creative twist to everyday essentials. Since its founding in 2017 by two former corporate professionals from Portugal, the company has focused on crafting high-quality socks that reflect a wide range of disciplines: from music, food and drinks, art to literature and sports. The products are cool and reinvent classic paintings and album sleeves.

João Oliveira Simões talks to Art is Alive: “The story of Sock Affairs started in 2018 when two brave souls ditched their cushy corporate gigs to chase a wild idea: making socks that are as fun as they are comfy: because grown-ups deserve a little fun too.”

Headquartered in the vibrant neighborhood of Arroios, Lisbon, Sock Affairs is a privately held company with a close-knit team of 11 to 50 employees. One collection is even dedicated to Portugal: “Portugal is our home and muse – full of creativity, colour, and (yes) delicious pastries. Our Pastéis de Nata socks are a sweet homage to a national treasure, and a little wink to our roots.”

Each collection is thoughtfully designed and proudly produced in Portugal, with licensed graphics inspired by cultural icons such as David Bowie’s Aladdin Sane, AC/DC, Pink Floyd and Faith No More among other top albums. “Who are the best music collaborations? Hard to pick just one! Our AC/DC, David Bowie, and Pink Floyd socks are fan favorites, but we’ve loved every collab. Each pair is a tribute to the sound and style of the legends we grew up listening to.”

Collaborations have included The Little Prince, and other ranges feature timeless artworks such as Hokuzai’s The Great Wave, Munch’s Scream, and paintings by the likes of Klimt, Picasso, Magritte and more artists. “How are you engaging with artists and artworks? We love turning iconic artworks and bands into wearable statements. From Van Gogh to Hokusai, we collaborate with licensed museums and foundations to bring these masterpieces to your feet. It’s our way of making art more accessible – and more fun.”

With a strong emphasis on craftsmanship and storytelling, Sock Affairs sells directly through its website and partners with wholesale platforms like Faire, reaching a global audience of design lovers, music fans, and art enthusiasts alike.

Three brands and 1 million socks later, we’ve developed a team of knitting experts, each assigned with the creative vision of a collection, according to their hobbies and passions. Fantastic best sellers include the sushi range, the conversation range and the Pop Art, and Frida Kahlo socks. They’re all so colourful, excellent-quality and make great gifts (the packs are great for special occasions).

Overall the brand focuses on making high-quality socks that look good and feel even better. Sock Affairs have created a community of tens of thousands that share the founders’ passion for creativity, societal conversations and rock music. “People who know that when you put on a great pair of socks, it can make your whole day better.”

“Tell us about the future of the brand? More art, more music, more socks! We’re always expanding our collections and themes, and looking for fresh ways to surprise our customers. Think limited editions, exclusive collabs, and maybe even some non-sock experiments. Stay tuned!”

–