Por La Familia Founder Mark Lopez Talks Honoring the Women in His Life Through a Holo Footwear Collaboration

The upcoming Por La Familia collaboration with Holo Footwear isn’t just easy on the eyes. It’s also a perfect alignment of brands.

“With [Holo founders] Rommel and Yuri [Vega] also being Latino and having a shared story, the collaboration was the perfect match,” Mark Lopez, founder of Por La Familia, told FN. “Por La Familia has always been about intentional storytelling and being authentic, which Holo has also been about.”

After delivering his first-ever collaboration in 2019 with Nike, offering a fresh take on the classic Air Max 1, Lopez has now lent his creative prowess to the Holo Footwear Zeus.

“The Zeus is the ultimate all terrain shoe from the streets to the mountains, it offers a ton of versatility from a wearability standpoint and stylistically is one of our most well thought out shoes,” said Rommel Vega, chief executive officer of Holo Footwear. “It’s truly the best interpretation of Holo’s design power, DNA and ethos. The design of the shoes is a throwback to the 1990s and is inspired by climbing ropes.”

Sustainability is a key pillar of Holo’s business, and the Zeus is replete with eco-friendly elements. For example, the shoe is built with 100 percent recycled knit uppers, and features 100% recycled EVA midsoles and 100 percent recycled rubber outsoles underfoot.

“Holo’s commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly designs goes hand in hand with our belief in community,” Lopez said. “Through Por La Familia, we’re not just creating for a better today, but for families of tomorrow.”

Lopez founded Por La Familia in 2019 with a focus on celebrating his Mexican and Salvadoran
heritage through modern streetwear. His use of sneaker collaborations is a vehicle for that celebration.

“Sneakers have always been an important part of my life growing up. And for so many people, sneakers are a platform for expression and identity,” Lopez explained. “Por La Familia’s story, rooted in family and love, is something that a lot of people relate to and want to communicate. Sneakers are the best and most authentic way for me to storytell and honor the women in my life who continue to inspire me and push me forward.”

This specific collaboration was created to celebrate the important women in Lopez’s life, who have inspired him in countless ways. For instance, he said the pink used on the Zeus was used to add a feminine touch to the shoe and honor his mother, grandmother and sister. Also, the green and red are nods to Mexico, and the gold is for El Salvador, specifically the coat of arms on its flag.

“Another component of the story is showcasing the importance of standing out and not conforming, similar to Holo’s vision,” Lopez explained. “And finally, I wanted to create something that everyone can enjoy and experience whether they’re a sneakerhead or a lover of the outdoors, or someone who loves both.”

The Por La Familia x Holo Footwear Zeus arrives Nov. 9 via Holofootwearinc.com at 8 a.m. MT/10 a.m. ET. It will also release at a pop-up shop, located at 1902 E. McDowell Rd. in Phoenix. The festivities will kick off at 7 p.m. MT/9 p.m. ET.

“Music, food and a good time are integral to Latino culture. The pop-up will be a mixture of that while simultaneously bringing the Por La Familia x Holo Zeus story to life,” Lopez explained. “The space will be turned into a trail-like setting, allowing those who attend to see the versatility of the collab, while also just having a good time.”

The Por La Familia x Holo Footwear Zeus will retail for $100.

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.