Gi Santos

Gi Santos is an enterprising woman with exquisite taste. It’s not enough to want to be, you have to know how to be, and Gi, used to travelling and living with different cultures and lifestyles, knows fashion by name and its essence. As a result of her work and the various fashion events she attends, her life is characterised by a constant search for novelties in order to satisfy the highest levels of demand from her clients, with whom she maintains a close bond and to whom she tries to give the necessary answers so that they feel happy and beautiful, with the best quality products at the best price, as Gi is clear about the concept that «every cosmopolitan woman and with good taste wants sophistication». And this has to be the secret of a brand that, in just six years, has evolved from an online space to a physical store in one of OPorto’s most distinctive locations. It’s in Aviz where you’ll find GS Luxury Concept, Gi Santos’ new shop, who lifts the veil a little on her philosophy and purpose. 

It all began in 2017, with the creation of an online shop (Closetuup) and, later, the opening of two physical stores, one in Oporto and the other in Guimarães. What was the initial concept that gave momentum to this project?
For a few years, I attended some of the biggest fashion events in Europe because my ex-husband worked in the industry. And, naturally, I developed a taste for it. I visited and got to know some of the best second-hand shops in Europe and also in Brazil. When I got separated, I decided to take a gamble on this sector and I got it right.  

GS Luxury Concept is Oporto’s new luxury store, which opened at the end of this year in the Aviz area, with a revamp of the brand.
After six years on the market, I decided to innovate and elevate the brand’s concept, focusing on its location in one of Oporto’s most upmarket areas. Luxury, glamour and personalised service are the pillars of the newly opened space, which is a salute to the world of women.  

What brands are featured and why are you focusing on the luxury market?
The aim of the new shop is to maintain exclusivity, which is why I try to focus on current and timeless collections, such as Hermès, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Patek Philippe, Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Cartier, VCA, Bvlgary or Messika, to name a few of the featured brands.
Apart from that, keeping the shop dynamic and attractive is my motto, which is why there are always new arrivals, as long as they are quality products. The goal I want to set our customers is to buy the best at the best price. Every cosmopolitan woman with good taste wants sophistication, and that, more than luxury, is reflected in an item that is also a good investment.

«I try to focus on current and timeless collections»

What is your view of the luxury market in Portugal?
As a growing trend with a strong increase in value.  

At the head of the brand is the face of Gi Santos. Who is the person who also gives the name to this project?
Gi Santos is a woman with exquisite taste, a strong personality and character. Mother of two. One of my biggest hobbies is travelling. I love discovering new cities, new cultures and new ideas. I like to discover new hotels and good restaurants. And, of course, I love shopping.  

As a woman and a company manager, how do you manage your everyday life? Tell us a little about your routine.
Because of the business itself and its exclusivity, I try to provide each customer with a personalised service, which is why I have a very busy schedule.
In the morning, I talk to my employees to find out if everything is okay in the stores and if they need anything. Then I dedicate myself to interacting with the customers and suppliers, which takes up my whole day and sometimes many hours at night. This is because, in order to always have the best items at the best prices, I spend a lot of time liaising with colleagues from all over the world. Between managing the store, being a personal shopper and being a mother, I still have to find time to look after myself, so I try to take two to three hours a day, three days a week for the gym, hairdresser, massages and other personal care.

 As a woman and an entrepreneur, do you consider yourself a fashion and lifestyle influencer? How do you contribute to the well-being and satisfaction of the customers who come to GS Luxury Concept?
I’m used to travelling the world so I can keep up with all the fashion weeks and launches. And it’s this understanding of the market that allows me to keep up to date with the latest trends. With this in mind, I try to publish the latest arrivals on Instagram every day, which is why many of the followers of our page become customers of our store. I believe that this is a positive influence and that, through a careful selection of articles, we can turn our customers’ dreams into reality. We don’t always manage to publicise everything we’d like to, so my promise and future goal is to do more and better, always, so that our customers have more and more access to the best products. In addition, we have a strong team, where the focus is on customer satisfaction. More than a shop, the new space is a tribute to the female universe.