Who makes up the âme moi family?
Us two, Margarida and Alberto, own the brand. We had heard of the talent and success of Francisco Rosas, a Portuguese designer based out of Milan, Paris and Porto, so we chose him to head the design team.
What are your main inspirations for the brand?
We love Portuguese craftsmanship, as well as the Porto region that has a strong history of architecture, which is reflected in the graphic âme moi PF/FW 2016 collection. The horsehair tassels are a key feature of the brand, and are linked to our sons, both equestrians!
The Chiado (Pre-Fall 2016) and Estrella Halfmoon (Fall 2016) clutches by âme moi
Can you tell me more about one of the traditional fabrics used in your designs, Mantas Alentejanas ?
The original “Mantas Alentejanas” are from the village of Reguengos de Monsaraz, in the Alentejo region in the heart of Portugal. The original blanket fabric is more coarse, but we treated the blankets to obtain a softer, more tactile feel. The blankets are available in many traditional prints & colours, that we chose to replicate for our Bica pouches.
We’re starting to see more Portuguese talents in fashion, like one of our London favorites Marques’Almeida. What is the fashion scene like in Portugal ?
The country has become a manufacturing hub for shoes and leather goods. The shoe brand Finery London is produced in Portugal, for example, and the “Made in Portugal” label is becoming a major player in the international arena. Also, Portugal has some beautiful multi brand stores, including Loja Das Meias, based in Lisbon and Cascais, one of our amazing retailers.
