Located a few hours north of Lisbon, Porto has traditionally been at the core of Portugal’s footwear craftsmanship, with this industry quietly contributing to collections on many of the world’s biggest runways, such as those of Willy Chavarria, Kallmeyer, and Libertine, with support from APPICAPS, Portugal’s footwear federation. Now, a new wave of young designers from Lisbon is taking its place in the spotlight, bringing a new level of creativity to this rich heritage.
BÉHEN, Francisca Nabhino, and DRIONADREAM are just a few of the brands revolutionizing Portuguese fashion, with their collections demonstrating a unique balance of heritage and innovation, indicating a new and exciting trend in this country, which is quickly becoming a new hotbed of fashion.
In the Fall/Winter 2026 collection from BÉHEN, Joana Duarte's creations exemplify a celebration of both heritage and artisanal skill; this is particularly evident in her incorporation of hand-beaded embellishments crafted from genuine glass, which evoke the aesthetic of traditional Portuguese Algibeira embroidery.
Her designs are also a product of global culture, as seen in her collaboration with artists from around the world via projects such as Homelore, which utilizes traditional Gujarati mirrors for her design. This blend of local and global influences reflects a broader shift in Portuguese fashion. It's a movement centered on sustainable production methods and the power of storytelling through apparel.
The other designer, Francisca Nabhino, has a different perspective on heritage in Portuguese fashion, though equally useful. The name of Francisca's collection, "LUCKY," is inspired by the Portuguese artist Almada Negreiros. It features colors, stars, and playful designs to address the theme of identity and liberation. The designer's work is a combination of intellectual and artistic inspirations, thus emphasizing the cultural heritage of Portugal.
The group is also working closely with ModaLisboa in showing the best of Portugal’s fashion talent on a global stage. The industry in Portugal is not only about producing footwear for luxury fashion houses such as Loewe but also about supporting independent fashion designers and contemporary fashion brands.
From the latest Fall/Winter collections shown by fashion designers in Portugal, the fashion industry in the country is characterized by its strong commitment to heritage, community, and sustainable production. With a strong sense of inspiration coming from its own cultural past and its open-mindedness to new ideas and concepts, Portugal is also creating a new and unique identity for itself in the global fashion industry.
Written By
Ava Miller
Ava Miller explores Gen Z trends, digital fashion, and youth culture with fresh insights into style, identity, and online influence.
