Moda Lisboa: Where Tradition Meets Modernity

07 Oct 2023 min reading

The 61st edition of Moda Lisboa kicks off on October 5th at Pátio da Galé, offering four days dedicated to the best of Portuguese fashion. This year´s theme is "Moda Lisboa à la Carte," and the program includes various activities beyond the well-known runway shows: presentations, discussions, networking events, and pitch sessions, all meticulously designed to showcase different dimensions of Portuguese fashion.
When we talk about Moda Lisboa, it´s not just about clothes. This event reflects the culture, history, and identity of the country. Over six decades, Lisbon´s fashion has evolved in a fascinating way.
The first Moda Lisboa edition took place at the end of the 20th century. At that time, fashion was influenced by traditions and social classes. The upper classes wore luxurious fabrics and followed trends, while the poorer classes wore practical and more affordable clothing.
During this period, the textile industry in Portugal began to flourish, especially in the northern region of the country. Large-scale fabric production drove sector growth. However, it was only after the Carnation Revolution in 1974 that Portuguese fashion made a significant leap. Before that, fashion was limited by the government due to the dictatorship, resulting in a more conservative and traditional style, with restricted international influences.
After the fall of the dictatorship, the country underwent a cultural transformation, reshaping national fashion with various international influences, combining tradition with modernity. The emergence of new materials and techniques allowed for different production and greater diversity.
In the 1980s and 1990s, several Portuguese designers began to gain international recognition. Names like Ana Salazar, José António Tenente, Fátima Lopes, and Storytailors stood out for their innovative and high-quality creations. Portuguese fashion expanded globally, known for its uniqueness, blending tradition and modernism in a distinctive way.
Fashion in Portugal is a significant source of employment and contributes significantly to the country´s economy, from fabric production to garment manufacturing. Additionally, for tourism, fashion events are crucial. Events like Moda Lisboa and Portugal Fashion attract tourists from all over the world to our country.
Beyond cultural identity, fashion has played a vital role in the country´s sustainability efforts. More and more Portuguese designers are incorporating eco-friendly materials and sustainable production techniques into their creations.
The evolution of Moda Lisboa is a testament to the Portuguese industry´s ability to adapt and innovate in response to social, political, and technological changes.
From its roots to the most modern trends, Moda Lisboa continues to surprise year after year, capturing the cultural essence of its people and projecting it to the rest of the world. Fashion is undoubtedly a great way to get to know a country, its people, and their creativity. If you´re a fashion enthusiast, take advantage of Moda Lisboa to be enchanted by the creativity and originality of our designers and get to know a bit of the Lusitanian people through fashion.

Author: Cláudia Ferreira