Give us a brief introduction
to yourself.Tell us a little about your
academic and professional career.
I am a determined woman with
undeniable drive and an impetuous passion for my profession. I was born on the
May the 6th, 1977, in Trofa, where I first put down roots and where
my studio is located. I grew up among fabrics and patterns, which allowed me to
develop a gift that, consolidated through study, hard work and dedication,
became a talent.
How did the desire to become
a fashion designer come about in your life?
It happened very naturally. My
restless mind, my creative spirit, my desire to be bold and my incessant search
for innovation led me to this marvellous profession. My mother working in this
field brought me into close contact with this world, and being fascinated by
the power of transforming simple raw materials into inspiring creations led me
to try to reproduce what I saw my mum doing and experiment with new techniques
in order to create something that was different and unique. The curiosity that
opened doors for me to my purpose in life was the art of creating a piece that
expresses the moment, the story and the voice of the person wearing it. I
always say that my art resides in my hands, which draw and create what I am often
unable to express in words. And that has always been the case throughout my
life.
From where do you draw
inspiration to create your haute couture collections?
Oporto is a city that buzzes
with life, endowed with magnificent natural landscapes, the river, the sea, and
an abundance of cultural attractions, designers, artisans and industries that
have transformed it into a creative hub. This environment is undoubtedly where
I get most of my inspiration from. Nature is an inexhaustible source of
inspiration. But our planet’s resources are not. That’s why the Micaela
Oliveira brand has endeavoured to work in the interests of sustainability and
environmental conservation. Each of my creations is unique and carries with it
the dreams, aspirations and voice of each person. The individual
characteristics, personality traits and beauty of those who come to me,
together with the close relationship I maintain with those who place their
trust in my work, are central to building and imbuing the inner and unique
beauty of each client in the creation of my products.
Are you an attentive woman?
I love everything that is
beautiful. Because it’s more than mere appearance. Appearance is what is
visible to the human eye, but beauty is what attracts the eye and conquers the
soul. My brand is suitable for all women, from the most classic to the most
exuberant. I always say that we have everything from the sweetness of
sensuality to a classic irreverence. It’s as if it were a game of seduction. It’s
a brand that «empowers» women, that gives them a voice, that reveals their
individual beauty in its purest and most natural form.
You must
be aware that you have revolutionised bridal fashion with the work you have
done over the years. What else do you have to show those who are loyal to your
creations?
The
wedding day is certainly one of the most memorable days in a couple’s life. It
is a new beginning, the beginning of a life together. The beauty and the
essence that made them fall in love in the first place, the aura that brought
them together and the feeling that fulfils them must be evident in every
detail. The most visible detail is, inevitably and by tradition, the dress that
the bride chooses to wear. And this is what fascinates me and what I see as my
purpose in life: to emphasise the inner beauty of each woman who comes to me. I
feel honoured by every bride who has chosen one of my creations for such a
special moment in her life. This feeling of faith in my work, the complicity
that is created throughout the creative process, right up to the final fitting,
makes each of my creations unique and special. A dress, a fashion creation,
also holds within it a story, emotions, words and melodies. And that for me is
luxury. The luxury of happiness that transforms when we feel aligned with our
purpose. And what a noble purpose happiness is.
In
another context, we can talk about this new project we’re working on – The
Lince Santa Clara (Hotels & Resorts) –, which allows us to showcase all the
versatility of the Micaela Oliveira brand. The hotel’s uniform was developed
with a number of customised and tailor-made details, based on the design and
historical significance of the place. We recognise the need for fabrics to be
hard wearing, comfortable and easy to care for. This is a constant concern
given the need for the clothes to be durable. And we used some recyclable
fabrics to make them.
«My art resides
in my hands, which draw and create»
