Tag Archives: Oporto

Portugal, Oporto: MODtissimo Fashion Fair

Leaving the Sunny Brussels

I fly to Oporto (picture above, Brussels seen from above and picture below 2, what brightness)! What did you plan for your Valentine’s Day? I am invited to the 49th edition of MODtissimo, the fashion fair of the Portugese textile new trends that held at Francisco Sa Carneiro Airport (below, photos 3 & 4: program and mannequins of one of the fair exhibitors). 

At Brussels airport, hostesses offer Neuhaus chocolates (photo 1 below). Nice! When I arrive in Porto late in the afternoon, the sky is mixed. Time to drop off my things at the hotel and a pouring rain. Very quickly, I turn back: no, I won’t cross on foot the famous Dom Luis I bridge! 

MODtissimo

Fashion Fair On a Human Scale

The next day, in the shuttle to the Francisco Sa Carneiro airport, I chat with a German Buyer specialized in children’s fashion. The great novelty of this 49th edition MODtissimo is the Mini-Mi space dedicated to the world of the child.

MODtissimo by Manuel Serrão, The Director :

 

Innovation and Technology

In the departure hall of the Porto airport, the fair is divided into two distinct spaces. Next to their respective entrances, there is a presentation of the Portugese textile’s new trends: themes, colors and materials. I found really interesting the iTechStyle part with innovative textiles for sport and household linen. And the biodegradable buttons … 

 

The Aims

As Paulo Vaz, Director General of ATP – Associação Têxtil e Vestuário de Portugal / Textile and Clothing Association of Portugal, explains: one of the aims of the Portuguese textile industry is the sustainable development with materials and processes that respect the environment. Another aim: the Portuguese textile industry moves mid-market and upmarket, with the emphasis on the local design.

 

Back to the hotel: I have a free hour before the dinner with the organizers and press. Sportive walk with my Buyer friend (3000 footsteps at a fast pace, lol!) in the hotel’s neigbourhood. A short stop at Casa da Musica that closes (stunning architecture by Rem Koolhaas, click here for the interview). Then a lovely dinner in a fish restaurant in Matosinhos, followed by a drink at the hotel bar.

Photos & vidéos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations  

MODtissimo & ATP

Related posts : DESTINATIONS & FASHION

Many thanks to the team of MODtissimo and Salome for this beautiful invitation. As always, these are my opinions.

MODtissimo à Porto, Portugal

Sous un superbe soleil,

je prends l’avion pour Porto (photo ci-dessus : Bruxelles ensoleillé et photo 2 ci-dessous, quelle luminosité)! Et vous, qu’avez-vous programmé pour la Saint Valentin? Je suis invitée à la 49ième édition de MODtissimo, le salon professionnel des nouvelles tendances du textile portugais qui se tient dans l’aéroport Francisco Sa Carneiro (ci-dessous, photos 3 et 4 : programme et mannequins d’un des exposants du salon). 

A l’aéroport de Bruxelles, une hôtesse m’offre des chocolats Neuhaus (photo 1 ci-dessous). Charmante attention! Lorsque j’arrive à Porto en fin d’après-midi, le ciel est mitigé. Le temps de déposer mes affaires à l’hôtel, une pluie battante. Très vite, je rebrousse chemin : non, je ne traverserai pas à pied le fameux pont Dom Luis I! 

MODtissimo

Un salon à taille humaine

Le lendemain, dans la navette menant à l’aéroport Francisco Sa Carneiro, je sympatise avec une acheteuse allemande spécialisée dans la mode enfant. Une des nouveautés de cette édition de MODtissimo est l’espace Mini -Mi, dédié à l’univers de l’enfant.

MODtissimo par Manuel Serrão, le directeur :

 

Innovation et technologie

Dans le hall des départs de l’aéroport de Porto, le salon est divisé en deux espaces distincts qui devant leur entrée respective, offrent une présentation des tendances : thèmes, couleurs et matières. J’ai trouvé très intéressant la partie iTechStyle qui propose des textiles innovants pour le sport et linge de maison. Et des boutons bio dégradables… 

 

Les objectifs

Car comme l’expliquera Paulo Vaz, le Directeur général d’ATP – Associação Têxtil e Vestuário de Portugal / Textile and Clothing Association of Portugal (en interview vidéo ci-dessous) : un des objectifs de l’industrie textile portugaise est le développement durable avec des matériaux et des procédés respectant l’environnement. Autre objectif : une montée en gamme des produits textiles portugais, avec la mise en avant de la création locale. 

 

De retour à l’hôtel : j’ai une heure de libre avant le dîner avec les organisateurs et la presse. Promenade “sportive” (3000 pas au rythme accéléré, lol!) aux alentours de l’hôtel, avec ma copine acheteuse. Un court stop à Casa da Musica qui fermait (superbe architecture de Rem Koolhaas). Puis très chouette dîner dans un restaurant de poisson à Matosinhos, suivi d’un verre au bar de l’hôtel.

Photos & vidéos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations  

MODtissimo & ATP

Autres articles : DESTINATIONS & MODE

Un grand merci à toute l’équipe de MODtissimo et à Salomé pour cette belle invitation. Comme toujours, ce sont mes opinions.

The Center of Portugal: Viseu, Faia Brava & Castelo Rodrigo

Portugal-Center of Portugal-Reserva da Faia Brava-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Oporto via Lisbon

IMG_20150602_090550

The Journey

Our flight to Oporto is not direct. During the stopover in Lisbon, we walk from the airport to Expo for a coffee facing the Tagus. Euphoric blue sky! The LIGHT, brightness of Portugal … Picture above: the Oriente Station of the Spanish famous architect Santiago Calatrava.

Arriving in Oporto, we met Manuel, the guide of our next walks in the mountains. After the flight, the highway towards Viseu, the city with the best quality of life in Portugal. 

Viseu

Portugal-Center of Portugal-Viseu-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Petiscos For Lunch,

the Portuguese tapas, in the covered terrace of the cozy Maria Xica restaurant (photos above). The atmosphere is cool, young customers and good electro music and superb view of the historic center of Viseu.

While new dishes are following, I take a short time to take some pictures of the impressive Viseu Cathedral Sé and lazy terraces (photos below). Under a blazing sun, we leave the beautiful Viseu, for the Natural Reserve of Faia Brava, it’s already 4 p.m.  

Portugal-Center of Portugal-Viseu-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Center of Portugal-Viseu-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Faia Brava

Portugal-Center of Portugal-Reserva da Faia Brava-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Our First Walk 

Golden light of late afternoon. A landscape that recalls more the Mediterranean than the Atlantic. The Reserva Natural da Faia Brava is well known for bird watching, especially the various species of vultures.

Manuel guides us to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking several hills (first photo and pictures below). No vulture, just wild horses: gorgeous shiny coat and totally indifferent to our presence. Nobody cares little men, what perspective …

We walk on hilly trails lined with bushes. I don’t want to leave, it is already more than 7 p.m. and we hit the road. Road movie!

Portugal-Center of Portugal-Reserva da Faia Brava-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Center of Portugal-Reserva da Faia Brava-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Center of Portugal-Reserva da Faia Brava-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Center of Portugal-Reserva da Faia Brava-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Center of Portugal-Reserva da Faia Brava-7-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Center of Portugal-Reserva da Faia Brava-8-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Castelo Rodrigo

Portugal-Center of Portugal-Castelo Rodrigo-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Sleek Casa da Cisterna 

is nestled in the castle of Castelo Rodrigo, the medieval beautiful village on a hilltop. You can feel out of time and in a new world. And I sorely lack time to take pictures of the village. I need to check in. 

Upon our arrival, Anna, the owner of Casa da Cisterna and her team, do their best to please us. I go to my room and what a pleasant surprise! Simplicity, comfort and attention to detail (more in a coming post)! Each object is arranged with taste. 

To be perfectly honest, I’ve never been disappointed by the Portuguese hospitality. We have dinner on the terrace with a XXL view of the village and countryside (photos below). A feeling of fullness. Recharging the batteries before our next nature walk tomorrow. To be continued …

Portugal-Center of Portugal-Castelo Rodrigo-Casa da Cisterna-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Center of Portugal-Castelo Rodrigo-Casa da Cisterna-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations   

Visit PortugalTCP/ARPT Centro de Portugal, TAPA2Z AdventuresHistorical Villages

Related posts: DESTINATIONS & COMMENT PREPARER SON VOYAGE  

Many thanks for this beautiful invitation to Visit Portugal, TCP/ARPT Centro de Portugal et TAP. Thanks to Manuel Franco and the team of Casa Cisterna too. As always these are my opinions.