Ana Margarida Feijão Unveils "Liberdade é Nome de Mulher" a Wearable Art Tribute to Feminine Resilience

Following a captivating performative happening at Palacete Gomes Freire as part of Lisbon Fashion Week last Thursday, October 2, acclaimed designer Ana Margarida Feijão is set to unveil her compelling collection, "Liberdade é Nome de Mulher" (Freedom is a Woman's Name). The highly anticipated exhibition will take place next Thursday, October 9, at 19:30, at the CUPRA City Garage, located at 64 Rua Áurea in Lisbon's vibrant Baixa district. This event promises a unique fusion of fashion, art, and profound social critique, presented through what CUPRA describes as "wearable sculptures."

The collection itself is a powerful exploration of themes such as identity, femininity, and tradition. CUPRA elaborates that Feijão's pieces are "inspired by old Portuguese photographs and women's social experiences," arising from extensive "cultural and emotional research." The title, "Liberdade é Nome de Mulher," draws direct inspiration from the RTP documentary series "Nome Mulher" by Maria Antónia Palla and Antónia de Sousa. This series brought to light "real stories, often forgotten, of those who lived the promise of freedom in a country still stuck in old habits" in the period after April 25, 1974. Feijão masterfully intertwines these historical narratives with the memories of the resilient women who raised her—women from the south, from the countryside, women of perseverance—and her own experience as a Portuguese woman navigating a democracy still marked by patriarchal legacies.

Feijão's artistic approach is characterized by a blend of conventional methods and experimental techniques. She employs diverse materials such as handmade fabrics meticulously moulded into sculptural forms, luxurious leather, and gracefully draped silks to create exaggerated and innovative shapes. Her creations stand as defiant works of art, challenging traditional conventions of fashion. At the core of her practice lies a deep reverence for the handmade and the time-honored creative process, resulting in pieces that eloquently celebrate the strength, memory, and intimate beauty of the artisanal gesture.

Born in the Algarve, Ana Margarida Feijão brings a rich academic background to her multidisciplinary work. After graduating from the Faculty of Architecture in Lisbon, she honed her craft at prestigious institutions abroad, including Parsons School of Design and Central Saint Martins in London. ModaLisboa highlights that her work inherently bridges the realms of art and fashion, infused with a strong element of social critique that consistently explores the evolving roles assigned to women throughout history. Her distinctive vision as a wearable-art designer is further distinguished by her development of "sculptural pieces inspired by historical dress and reinterpreted with a contemporary eye."

Adding to her impressive resume, Feijão spent two years, from 2022 to 2024, as part of designer Melitta Baumeister's team in New York. This invaluable experience, according to ModaLisboa, allowed her to "deepen her command of sculptural form and innovative garment construction techniques." Currently based in the vibrant 'city that never sleeps,' Feijão continues to develop her personal project with a profoundly conceptual approach. Her work offers a vital space for reflection on memory, the human body, and the intricate complexity of the female experience, a journey that culminated in the presentation of her graduate collection at New York Fashion Week in 2024.