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Fashion Talk

Fatima Lopes

Fashion Designer
Fatima Lopes

"I believe that there's a market for luxury, for the ones who love and can afford to pay the quality prices, and another market for affordable fashion, weather it is in lingerie or fashion in general, for the ones who like but have not the economic possibilities to pay. Each one has an important pos

"I believe that there's a market for luxury, for the ones who love and can afford to pay the quality prices, and another market for affordable fashion, weather it is in lingerie or fashion in general, for the ones who like but have not the economic possibilities to pay. Each one has an important pos

Fibre2Fashion: What are the current fashion trends among women in Portugal?

Fatima Lopes:

Portuguese women love fashion. The trends are exactly the same as in Paris or in any other European capital. As fashion is now very accessible, everybody can wear current trends in creations by fashion designers, or in copies from labels of big distribution.

 

F2F: What cross cultural influences can be seen in Portuguese fashion? Which cultures have influenced Portuguese dresses most?

FL:

Fashion in Portugal is a result of globalization. There is no such thing as Portuguese fashion, but there is fashion made by Portuguese designers. All the designers are distinct and different in their styles.

F2F: Brand Fatima Lopes was begun in 1992. Since then, what are the major transitions it has gone through?

FL:

The Fatima Lopes label was born in Lisbon in 1992 with the first fashion show and the opening of the first Fatima Lopes shop. Three years later started the international development with exhibitions at several French fashion fairs, while in Portugal I debuted in the major fashion event, Portugal Fashion. In 1996, I started to show the collections in ModaLisboa. In 1998, there was a big change, with the opening of the 1.200 m2 Fátima Lopes building in Bairro Alto, the heart of Lisbon, with a store, a bar, the atelier and Face 
Models, a models agency. 

From March 1999, I became the first Portuguese designer in Paris Fashion Week showing collections twice a year. In 2000, the Fatima Lopes icon was born, the first time ever with a designer as a model and with the most expensive bikini in the world, valued at one million dollars. One year later, the Fatima Lopes high jewellery collection was born followed by china, cutlery, crystals, home textiles, eyewear, pens and also glazed tiles. 

In 2005, the brand began the protocol with the Portuguese Football Federation and since then, Fatima Lopes is responsible for the official outfits of the Portuguese football team. One year later, Fatima Lopes was honoured with the Commander of Infante D. Henriques Order by the Portuguese President of the Republic. In 2012, we met another challenge, the creation of outfits for the 5-star Hotel Conrad in Algarve.

F2F: The common thought is that runway styles are avant-garde and they cannot be placed in everyday wear wardrobe. Please comment.

FL:

I always have two collections, one for the show and another one for commercial purposes. The collection for the show is spectacular and very avant-garde. When I design them, Im not thinking of sales. The commercial collection is big, diverse, prepared for all occasions from the casual to the sophisticated. The theme and style are the same as the show, but adapted for real people, for all sizes and different ages. 

F2F: Sustainable fashion is still not well accepted by customers. What is your opinion?

FL:

I respect all styles, different designers and originality. I do not like common clothes and I cannot accept copies, although I believe that there are clients for everything.

F2F: A lot of research and inspiration from various sources goes into design. What is your s?

FL:

My inspirations are around my life, what I do, the places I visit, what I see, the art around me. Each collection has a different theme which I work with my own vision and style.

F2F: Luxury lingerie is not affordable for many. What is your opinion about the global luxury lingerie market?

FL:

I believe that there is a market for luxury, for the ones who love and can afford to pay quality prices. There is another market for affordable fashion, whether it is in lingerie or fashion in general, for those who like, but have not the economic capability to pay. Each one is important.

F2F: Are there any new ventures you are planning?

FL:

The continuation of my labels internationalisation is my goal for the near future.

F2F: Where do you see your brand in the coming years?

FL:

I see my brand growing and expanding all over the world, whether it be in fashion, perfumes or cosmetics.

Published on: 24/12/2013
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