image//noah lennox words//hannah machlin

Fernanda Pereira began her studies in Lisbon and London. Currently she owns a shop in Lisbon called Galeria de Exclusivos, selling limited edition pieces. Her use of color and organic lines help create an avant-garde line of women’s wear and accessories. Pereira’s collections eloquently show her love of creating and movement. Each piece evokes a sense of individuality and life.

I’ve noticed you love to incorporate bright and loud colors with fabric that create drapery and movement. When you start planning a collection, do you first focus on fabric or color?

Both… Even though I work very instinctively, I have to take into consideration the fabric and the colors, especially when I’m working with bright colors. If I’m working with more neutral colors, the fabric is the leader!

In contrast to your usual color palette, current trends have been focused on the use dark colors and metal detailing. Are you embracing these trends with your current work?

I’m always into dark (black/grey) colors for my collections.

In 2006, you presented your collection by utilizing a body of water and smoke called “Circuit Pool.” I personally loved how you decided to present your collection in a more provocative and creative way, in comparison to other designers. What was the meaning behind presenting your collection in this way? Do you plan on showcasing in similar fashion in the future?

Circuit was an event that happened here in Lisbon and there were art/music/fashion performances all over the city. The idea of the pool was actually suggested by the festival production people, and we all developed the idea together after that.  In the following edition of Circuit, I made a show on the roof of a high building. I’d definitely like to do more shows in unusual places… Maybe soon I’ll come up with something!

The world of Portuguese fashion has grown. Lisbon now has their own fashion week showcasing other growing designers such as Ana Salazar and Fatima Lopes. Is it a fair assessment that you also take heavy influence from Portuguese culture and fashion?

I’m not super influenced by current Portuguese designers, although I like a lot of them. I think I get most excited seeing things from all over.

You have stated before how you are “influenced by everything that moves.” With your Spring/Summer 2009 Collection, The Story of 2 Skirts, would you say this still stands correct? If not, what are you currently taking inspiration from?

I have to say I am influenced by everything that moves. So many things… Sometimes I wish I could just focus on a little story.

You are also known for your detailed, extravagant accessories, such as the ballerina’s hat recently posted on your blog. Can you tell us a bit the process of creating one of these pieces?

The ballerina’s hat is a unique piece. It took me a long time to do it and slowly grew in my working space. There was a lot of glue and drying too. The ballerinas were what I started from. Then I just added little pieces here and there that I had found.

In the last couple years you have created art installations for your store. Will there be more of these pieces to come? Do you take the same inspirations from these pieces as you do for your women’s wear collections?

Galeria de Exclusivos is a special shop for me and I always want the windows to be a little sample of what’s inside. I get as much pleasure making the installations as I get from making the clothes.  (I should post more of the windows on my blog–I change the window every month or so.)

Your collaboration with Panda Bear, 2ND, was deemed a great success. A project of various sweatshirts are now being sold through your store, Galeria de Exclusivos, Beyond the Valley and farfetch.com. Is this something you both plan to work on more in the future?

Yeah, we definitely plan to work on something new, but the good thing about 2ND is that there’s no dates or schedules… It just happens!

Noah Lennox and Rusty Santos played under the name “Together” for fashion shows in the past. Does music play an important role in your show and your work in general?

Music is part of my daily routine in a weird form. I work for hours/days without any sound and the next day I can’t do anything without it. It’s not a love/hate relationship–it’s more that I need to change every once in a while! In a fashion show, the sound is a part of the styling and it’s what completes the scenario!

How has your exposure to the music industry affected your work in the fashion world?

I don’t really know much about the music industry. My husband works in it, but I have to say I don’t mess with his business very much.

Recently you also collaborated with Opera Evolution, a performance art piece presenting the 6 stages in the history of Opera. Your Perspex jewelry, Baroque neckpiece, and bubble dress were showcased through Beyond the Valley. How did you get involved with this project?

Ingrid (the performer) saw my pieces in Beyond the Valley, so she contacted me explaining all of the performance and how it would be great if we collaborated. So we did!  I’m always excited to work within fashion in ways that aren’t typical.

Have you always wanted to be a fashion designer? What are your other passions outside the fashion world?

Somehow I always wanted to be involved with image, and image transformation. So fashion, photography, or some kind of decorative art or installation were definitely my choices.

What are you currently working on? What can we expect from Fernanda Pereira in the future?

I’m working on SS\10 and AW\10\11 these days. At the same time, working with unique pieces always lets me make my own schedule. I have to say it’s something I’m trying to change… and soon you’ll see!

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Please check out Fernanda’s website for images, info, and to check out her pieces!