I carry in my memory all the stories she told me — simple, everyday tales that have stayed with me always. She worked from childhood, and the Bolhão Market was her home. Barefoot through the streets of Porto, she would bring fresh fish from the market to her aunt. In the pocket of her apron, she kept the coins she saved to buy a pair of shoes. The days were hard, but she remembered them with a smile on her face. Amid songs and laughter, the fishmongers of Bolhão brought joy to everyone around them. This collection is a tribute to my great-grandmother, who spent her entire life as a fishmonger at Bolhão.
The outfits presented draw on various details found in photos of my great-grandmother and her colleagues — shirts, blazers, aprons, and shawls. The deconstruction of classic pieces (shirts and blazers), combined with the aprons and shawls, merges the everyday clothing she wore with her professional attire. This collection incorporates fabric from two shirts inherited from my great-grandmother, giving new life to these materials and carrying a piece of her with it. Additionally, deadstock fabrics from factories are used, contributing to the reduction of waste and pollution, issues so prevalent in the fashion industry.

The importance of this exhibition also lies in its chosen location: the Bolhão Market is not just a commercial space but a true symbol of Porto’s culture and history. Presenting this collection in such an emblematic setting creates a direct connection between art, memory, and the daily life of the community. It invites all visitors to rediscover the city’s roots, honor the contribution of the fishmongers, and reflect on fashion’s role as a form of cultural and identity expression.

This exhibition goes beyond fashion to become a dialogue between past and present, tradition and innovation, memory and sustainability.