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Forget London, Paris, Milan, Copenhagen, or Madrid. Or rather, introduce a new dimension to the leading European fashion capitals. Lisbon is in the spotlight in the fashion sector and has become a hotbed of trends in recent years. The city, with its vibrant and cosmopolitan atmosphere, has managed to merge its rich history with a vibrant creative scene. And this shift is evident both in the creative and practical spheres.
A new generation of independent designers has revitalized the Portuguese fashion scene, complementing established brands and achieving recognition both at home and abroad. This boom is no coincidence: the combination of a strong textile tradition, a commitment to sustainability, and a fresh, contemporary approach to design have positioned the Portuguese capital as a strategic hub for the industry.
The legacy of textile tradition remains alive
Nothing would make sense without this premise: Portugal is one of Europe’s leading textile producers, with factories that work for some of the world’s most prestigious brands. And it remains so today despite the relocation of its industrial fabric to emerging economies in Asia and Africa.
From organic cotton to the most innovative techniques in the production of sustainable fabrics, the Portuguese textile industry has evolved without losing its local and artisanal essence. In regions such as the Ave Valley and Guimarães, workshops and factories that combine artisanal know-how with cutting-edge manufacturing processes are concentrated, allowing many brands to focus on local production. This textile heritage has been key to the development of emerging designers who seek to differentiate themselves through quality and innovation. It is also important to note that this proximity also provides greater direct access to the consumer, turning fashion into a good that encompasses quality, proximity, and the prestige of the region.
Lisbon Fashion Week , the nerve centre of Portuguese fashion
It’s not the biggest or most media-driven catwalk show in terms of coverage, but it’s the one that’s gaining increasing relevance for offering the industry a fresh and different perspective. ModaLisboa not only presents fashion shows but also fosters dialogue and learning through talks and workshops, highlighting not only designers but also the country’s creative ecosystem. With each edition, Lisbon reaffirms its position as the epicentre of innovation, consolidating its unique identity within the European fashion landscape.
Lisbon Fashion Week, also known as ModaLisboa, is the benchmark event for Portuguese fashion. Founded in 1991, it has become a key platform for both emerging and established designers. Its focus on sustainability and unrestricted creativity have set it apart on the international fashion week circuit.
ModaLisboa is held twice a year and brings together designers, buyers, and media to present the season’s collections. Rather than being confined to a single exhibition venue, its shows take place in iconic venues around the city, such as the Pavilhão Carlos Lopes or the Palácio Sinel de Cordes, turning the Portuguese capital into a fashion scene in itself.
One of its fundamental pillars is support for emerging talent, embodied in initiatives such as Sangue Novo. This program gives visibility to young designers, providing them with a platform to showcase their work and facilitating their entry into the industry. With this commitment to creativity and innovation, ModaLisboa not only promotes Portuguese fashion but also reinforces its role as a key event on the international scene.
Designers who catch our attention
There’s a wealth of talent, with proposals ranging from the most established to the most disruptive. At Gratacós, we keep an eye on designers and brands that regularly show at Lisbon Fashion Week, as well as other independent labels that are setting the pace in Portuguese fashion. Below, we highlight some of the designers who inspire us the most:
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Gonçalo Peixoto
Gonçalo Peixoto is a young designer who began his training in Fashion Design in 2012 in Guimarães, and later graduated from ESAD in Matosinhos. From his earliest studies, he has proven to be a passionate artist, driven by his love of fashion and his desire to create. His collections have captured the attention of renowned fashion stores and specialized publications, quickly establishing himself on the Portuguese scene.
In September 2017, Gonçalo presented his first collection at London Fashion Week, and in March 2018 he joined the official ModaLisboa calendar, where he began showing his collections regularly.
With a youthful and sophisticated aesthetic, Peixoto embraces modern femininity, reinterpreting trends with a fresh and bold vision. Her latest collections, presented at Lisbon Fashion Week, frequently feature surprising combinations: metallic fabrics, sheer layers, and asymmetrical cuts, reflecting a contemporary vision of fashion. Vibrant colours and fitted silhouettes are often the focus of a collection designed for a self-confident woman with a strong personality.
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Carlos Gil
Carlos Gil is a designer with a solid track record, recognized for his mastery of pattern making and his ability to balance the classic with the contemporary. Born in Nampula, Mozambique, in the late 1960s, Carlos Gil trained in Fashion Design in Portugal. In 1998, he opened his atelier in Fundão , the city where he lives and works, and a few years later, he opened his first store under the CARLOS GIL brand.
Carlos Gil regularly presents his collections at ModaLisboa and has successfully conquered international markets through his participation in major fashion weeks. Throughout his career, he has received numerous awards and recognitions, such as the Medalha de Mérito da Cidade do Fundão (2009), the Premio Jovem de Sucesso (Young Success Award ) in Portugal and abroad (2009), and the Commenda de Gran Oficial de la Orden del Infante D. Henrique (Command of Grand Officer of the Order of Infante D. Henrique) (2015).
The designer stands out for his ability to create striking pieces of remarkable quality, with an approach that combines sophistication and elegance. His collections are cosmopolitan and contemporary, yet always maintain a strong distinction. In his latest offerings, Gil has explored sophistication through structured fabrics, volumes, and embroidered details. The color palette ranges from neutral tones to bold color accents that bring dynamism to each look. His style reflects an updated retro vibe, with influences from the elegance of the 1970s reinterpreted for today’s audience.
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Nuno Balthazar
Nuno Baltazar is one of the most important designers in Portuguese fashion. He trained in Fashion Design at Citex (now Modatex ) and from his earliest days stood out for his talent, winning awards such as Young Designers from Máxima Magazine and Porto Moda. In 1999, he began presenting his collections at ModaLisboa , initially with Cravo, and in 2004, he launched his own brand.
In 2005, he opened his store in Porto and created unique pieces under the label Nuno Baltazar Atelier, collaborating with figures such as Carminho , Raquel Strada , and Victória Guerra. He has also designed the image of presenter Catarina Furtado and worked on costumes for television and theatre. Throughout his career, he has received awards such as the Fashion Award from Fashion TV Portugal (2011) and the Golden Globe for Best Designer (2013). In 2020, he returned to the ModaLisboa runways with his signature collections.
Nuno Baltazar is characterized by his minimalist approach and meticulous attention to detail, which has made his brand a benchmark in contemporary fashion. In his latest collections, he has showcased a series of pieces that fuse refined cuts with texture-rich materials, such as lightweight wools and printed silks. Reinvented tailoring has been a cornerstone of his designs, highlighting unstructured suits and a fusion of masculine and feminine, always with his signature touch.
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Luis Carvalho
Luís Carvalho , originally from Vizela , trained in Fashion and Textile Design at the Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco. Throughout his career, he has participated in various fashion competitions and worked at ModaLisboa and in the ateliês of renowned designers such as Filipe Faísca and Ricardo Preto . He was a designer at Salsa Jeans for two and a half years before creating his own label in 2013, debuting his first collection at ModaLisboa. That same year, he opened the LUIS CARVALHO | studio in Vizela, a combination of his atelier and his own store. Carvalho has received several awards, including the “Maison Mode Mediterranée” Prize in Marseille (2018 and 2019) and has presented her work in Paris, at the Moda Portugal Showcase.
The designer is known for dressing numerous public figures, both nationally and internationally. His creative approach has established him as a creator who challenges the boundaries between the conceptual and the commercial. His designs are distinguished by their experimentation with shapes and materials, opting for architectural volumes and high-quality fabrics. In his recent collections presented at Lisbon Fashion Week, Luis Carvalho has opted for garments that explore structure and movement. The fusion of geometric cuts and subtle draping has added fluidity to his designs, creating a contemporary and sophisticated aesthetic that defines his style.
At Gratacós, we’re closely following these events, which celebrate not only fashion but also the culture and identity of Portugal. The next edition promises to be even more exciting and full of surprises!
