one year . meet the designers: Grafolita

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Who are you?

I´m Catarina Vaz, designer and creator of grafolita®. Grafolita® is a brand  of colourful notebooks, handmade with traditional binding and printing techniques, that reflects my taste by design and by daily, simple, handy and well-made objects. 

What is your relation with scar-id store?

We´ve been partners since day one and it´s been a privilege grafolita® been chosen to make part of this project from the beginning. 

What is your favourite piece at scar-id store?

I really like Maria and Nel from DAM. Beside pretty, they are funny pieces. 

What do you think about the Portuguese design scene?

It´s good to see the emergence of so many projects, some of them already conquered international markets. I think this economic crises make us understand that is possible to create our own projects and accept the inherent problems as something natural, part of the growing process of any idea.

What is your favourite Place at city of Porto?

Porto´s downtown, where still survive a few traditional streets with directional stores where we can find everything. When I visit Porto, I delight myself walking through those streets.  

A few things that are inspiring you?

Travel, travel, travel, and… traditional arts and Modernism. My first grafolita´s notebook was inspired in a travel to the East. I use traditional binding and printing techniques. Grafolita´s language is minimal, colourful but at the same time, sober. 

Why do you live (work) where you live (work)?

Grafolita® is not my principal occupation and I work mainly outside. But nights and weekends are for this project, so when I recently changed apartment it was a condition to have an exclusive space for grafolita®. Now I have more space and a lot of light. I live in Lisbon city centre, but I hear the church bell every hour and I have an abandoned garden view and two lemon trees! I couldn’t be happier! 

Is there any website you are daily addicted to?

Not one, several. But Twitter is always the starting point. 

Can you tell us something that you haven´t had the opportunity to tell in an interview?

Why the name Grafolita? Because “Grafolito” is the name written in my prelo (typographic machine). I think it was the name of a company that deals with graphic material and machinery. So, I became Grafolita. 

What do you think about the future?

What I think or desire? The way we saw the future is always a projection of our ideas, temper or lifestyle. I would say that people are more aware and demanding in decisions of consume, but at the same time, more limited in their choices.Bling consumerism, ignoring its origin, doesn´t makes sense anymore.Consumers should always know what they are buying. The design role will, more than ever, have a vital importance and should be made for the persons. 

And your own future?

I see myself exclusively dedicated to my own projects, not necessarily just grafolita®. 

What is in your desktop at the moment?

In my home I don´t work so often with the computer, that is normally at a corner. On table top are always papers, cards, finished notebooks, half-way notebooks.At this moment I have also a few Christmas gifts and a cat. There is always a cat to make me company. 

And about scar-id store?

scar-id gave the opportunity to new creators see their work noted, recognized and above all purchased by the public. It´s an inspiration!.. I wish see you achive many more years.

one year . meet the designers: Diana Matias

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Who are you?

I’m Diana Matias and I’m fashion designer. I presented my collections at Bloom, Portugal Fashion since the beginning until the last season of 2013. I decided to leave my brand in standby to move to London and looking for new experiences. 

What is your relation with scar-id store?

All my pieces scar-id are exclusives. 

What is your favourite piece at scar-id store?

My favourite piece in scar-id store is a long black coat with two fabrics from my FW 13-14 collection. It’s already sold out!

What do you think about the Portuguese design scene?

In Portugal there is a new generation really interesting and creative, with potential. Unfortunately, Portugal wasn’t educated to consume design and hasn’t also great financial support. With time we get there… 

What is your favourite Place at city of Porto?

Casa e Museu de Serralves.

A few things that are inspiring you?

Pictures, music, videos, moments, movies, persons, textures. Everything is a possible inspiration. 

Why do you live (work) where you live (work)?

I’m moving to London now and I’m in love! It’s a cool and exciting city! We want to do more and more. Everything happen so fast! At the moment I’m doing an internship with Marques’Almeida. It’s been an amazing experience.

Is there any website you are daily addicted to?

I see a lot of online magazines.

What do you think about the future?I

hope to absorb the most possible on my new experience, meeting people, travelling… Work hard. Enjoy the process. Enjoy myself.In the future, I want to get back to my brand and restart with new ideas and plans. Restructure. 

What is in your desktop at the moment?

I have my moodboard and my dress sketches for my wedding! It’s in the next year, 2015.Fabrics, papers, images everywhere!  

And about scar-id store?

It’s a very interesting conceptual space with a lot of designers. This kind of shops in the city are really good for us because they can represent us. It’s a perfect place for customers who looking for design and exclusivity.You are a sweet partners! 

one year . meet the designers: Ana Vicente

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Who are you?

I’m Ana Vicente, I’m 26 and I’m a Fashion Designer and illustrator. 

What is your relation with scar-id store?

It’s a professional one. It’s also a relation of gratitude because scar-id store gave me the biggest opportunity so far. Today, I have my brand represented in the store and online. This collection, the first one, represents the change, the mutation of life and the reflection of our past and present. 

What is your favourite piece at scar-id store?

Wool Sweater from present collection of Carlos Couto. 

What do you think about the Portuguese design scene?

I think it’s ok. A lot of people talk about this topic, but I think that people usually only see the bad of everything. I think that Portuguese design in general is start to reborn in a new and different way. Now we only have to think in different and new ways that can amazing people, and understands that design must play other games, games that are changing all the time. 

A few things that are inspiring you?

terryrichardson.tumblr.com

Why do you live (work) where you live (work)?

I live in Barcelos because it’s a strong place to work in fashion industry. I work for a company doing prints and all over patterns. It’s an amazing job, full of news every single day, and I believe that will make me a better designer and illustrator. 

Is there any website you are daily addicted to?

trendland.net

What do you think about the future?

I’m not a negative person, and I think that the most important thing to learn is the capability of change. The capability of embrace a new reality with an open heart. If you are able to do that, the only future you will have is happiness. 

And your own future?

I want to be more Creative, more addicted and more specialist to the graphic area of fashion. I believe I found my way, and that´s a very good thing.

What is in your desktop at the moment?

Kids clothes…a lot of them! 

And about scar-id store?

Sílvia and André are very kind people. And with my trouble and unlinear contact with them, they are the most patient people!About the store I only can say: Thank you so much for the opportunity to be part of this family. It’s a privilege!

meet-the-designers-ricardo-andrez

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Ricardo Andrez SCAR-ID

Who are you?R

icardo; Masculine; Designer; Porto; Portugal; no make-up; hair in the wind. 

What is your relation with scar-id store?

The present collection at scar-id is called Faktura and is based on russian graphics of the constructivist movement. The pieces are structured and oversized through tufted. 

What is your favourite piece at scar-id store?

The Blue Sweater from the previous collection, 300% representative of the brand.It was such a sold out success, that we decided to produce it again for this season. 

What do you think about the Portuguese design scene?

I think we are in a flourishing time for design, there are more and more good projects waiting for the right structure for commercialization an evolution.

What is your favourite place at city of Oporto?

The Porto University Natural History Museum, where I get the privilege of shooting my SS12 collection lookbook.

6 Dec0

one year . meet the designers: Ricardo Andrez

Who are you?

Ricardo; Masculine; Designer; Porto; Portugal; no make-up; hair in the wind. 

What is your relation with scar-id store?

The present collection at scar-id is called Faktura and is based on russian graphics of the constructivist movement. The pieces are structured and oversized through tufted. 

What is your favourite piece at scar-id store?

The Blue Sweater from the previous collection, 300% representative of the brand.It was such a sold out success, that we decided to produce it again for this season. 

What do you think about the Portuguese design scene?

I think we are in a flourishing time for design, there are more and more good projects waiting for the right structure for commercialization an evolution. 

What is your favourite place at city of Oporto?

The Porto University Natural History Museum, where I get the privilege of shooting my SS12 collection lookbook.

A few things that are inspiring you?

People I met will be always the biggest source of inspiration! 

Why do you live (work) where you live (work)?

The place of my studio was an old trimmings factory and now there is a very interesting fusion. In the same space we find a fashion photographer, a models agency and a fashion producer… it´s a privilege and a stimulus being daily surrounded from these great fashion professionals.

Is there any website you are daily addicted to?

Youtube. It has everything, since the foolish and relaxed to the more directional technical information!  

What do you think about the future?

Keep growing as a person and professional and be always surrounded by good energies/persons. 

And your own future?

I can´t plan more than next semester! 

What is in your desktop at the moment?

I´m developing my new FW15 collection, and simultaneously working in more specific projects for music bands or uniforms for example. 

And about scar-id store?A unique and peculiar window for the Portuguese design, Portuguese spoken.

one year . meet the designers: Daniela Barros

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Who are you?

I’m Daniela Barros, born at Oporto City. I love nature and human nature and questions. I’m a fashion designer 

What is your relation with scar-id store?

My work is exposed at scar-id store. The garments are clean and minimal, structured, and coexist among different art work and designers represented in store. 

What is your favourite piece at scar-id store?

Tricky question! If I choose one of my, I choose the Neoprene Sweater because of the structure and the touch of the garment. 

What do you think about the Portuguese design scene?

There is a new generation that pulls up nowadays the Portuguese design in all areas, with determination to do new things and to export our ideas. 

What is your favourite Place at city of Porto?

Palácio de Cristal. 

A few things that are inspiring you?

Everything, movies, people, moments, feelings, culture, the city. 

Why do you live (work) where you live (work)?

I live and work near Oporto city, a place more bucolic surrounded by nature. 

What do you think about the future?

Surrounded by work.See my work solid and more structured. 

What is in your desktop at the moment?

My new collection aw15-16 surrounded by pens, pencils, papers and fabrics. 

And about scar-id store?

scar-id store grow up as Portuguese design scene.  I think that in the future will be a cult store.

one year . meet the designers: Cristina Real

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Who are you?

Who am I? Well, it’s complicated to talk about me. I love what I do, I love my profession and that keeps me motivated to fight every day to continue this project.  

What is your relation with scar-id store?

My relationship with scar-id is recent, it’s a commercial relation. Was the first shop that I trust to expose my pieces and I felt a connection between the store and the concept.The collection is called Intermission.The concept comes from an intersection of ideas, but there is no specific initial shape since it does not form itself visually, only its beginning. This collection builds itself from straight lines that shape themselves through various dashed lines, colours and materials until they reach their final shape.Inspiration comes from the emptiness, from an empty mind where the dot signals the initial phase and the line gives it expression. The piece is like a “tabula rasa” that receives elements and ideas until it has a life of its own life. Colour and material are the key elements of the collection, the way garments are cut create a dynamics with the several textures of materials and colours.The raw materials consist of natural materials such as Wool, Fur, Organza, Napa, Leather, Mesh and Acrylic.Base colours are black, navy blue and grey and secondary colours are dark beige, pearl beige and old pink. 

What is your favourite piece at scar-id store?

One of my favourite pieces in the store is the Grey Pleated Skirt of the FW14´15 collection. It’s so important because from that skirt all the collection has been developed. 

What do you think about the Portuguese design scene?

The Fashion scene in Portugal is growing, the national market is becoming more and more competitive. We have the arise of new talents representing the best made in Portugal and spreading the country’s name around the world. 

What is your favourite place at city of Oporto?

My favourite place in Oporto is the lovely Ribeira, for me is one of the most beautiful views in our country. 

A few things that are inspiring you?

I don’t have any limit for inspiration. Inspiration for me it’s free, I get inspiration of all surround me, people, objects with a history, culture, sounds, memories. Everything can combine and became one. 

Why do you live (work) where you live (work)?

I work a room in my attic. It’s a clean and free space to adapt for any inspiration, in my hall I have a plenty of images for my ideas and to my imagination flow.  

Is there any website you are daily addicted to?

I don’t have any favourite website.  I have a very particular taste and it’s necessary to search in different websites or books… internet not always have the information we need and it’s like back to basics.  

Can you tell us something that you haven´t had the opportunity to tell in an interview?

As a young designer with a brand in rise, we need investment in Portuguese Fashion. We need more financial support, more partnership with the companies because these initiatives will not just benefit us, fashions designers to become successful, but the national economy too.  

What do you think about the future?

In future, I want every Portuguese using more national products and brands, to show the world we support our things and we are proud of them. 

And your own future?

It’s complicate talk about my future because everything just pass so fast and the world turn around in speed of light, therefore I need to work hard, give everything and take all the opportunities to have my name written in fashion history.  

What is in your desktop at the moment?

Every day is different, different things happen and that give me something new and something distinct is added, this diversity enriches me as a person and as a designer.  

And about scar-id store?

We are in hard times and it’s difficult be successful and is always good see the new generation of designers being support by stores like scar-Id.All I can desire is the great achievements for scar-Id.

one year . meet the designers: Filipe Faísca

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Who are you?

Fashion Designer 

What is your relation with scar-id store?

A direct connection with Porto, mainly exclusive pieces, chosen according to the target… softwear, easy going pieces, #fashionstreetstyle 

What is your favourite piece at scar-id store?

Pattern Bomber

Photography: Ismael Prata

What do you think about the Portuguese design scene?

There is a difference between what is created and what is produced. The quality of the creation is superior of the production. 

What is your favourite Place at city of Porto?

Panoramic view of Albergaria Miradouro

A few things that are inspiring you?

Everything inspires me…

*

Why do you live (work) where you live (work)?

My Lisbon Store / Atelier

Photography: Stephan Gladieu, Madame Figaro Paris

Is there any website you are daily addicted to?

style.com , helps me feel tuned with international production, to the fashion capitals…

What do you think about the future?

Is urgent a serious look about the fashion industry in Portugal, especially a political intension. 

And your own future?

More closer, more tuned with what I want to do. 

What is in your desktop at the moment?

In this moment there is a “concern”, a search between artisanal portuguese production and the fashion design.

And about scar-id store?

I believe is a matter of intuition, an efficient communication. 

1 – Tete de Caboche. Linda Vachon

2 –  illustration by Antonio Lopez, 1967

3 – Frederick Hammersley Like Unlike 1959

4 – Kusama5 – fotografia de Lisboa – instagram Setembro 2014

one year . meet the designers: DAM

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Who are you?

DAM is a brand of furniture and accessories that combines tradition and modernity with the creative drawing. Created by the designers Hugo Silva and Joana Santos, this brand is an emotional brand. It’s good for health. The goal is to develop pieces to make people happy and to inspire them in the day-to-day life. 

What is your relation with scar-id store?

We are with scar-id since the first day with some products

What is your favourite piece at scar-id store?

The wardrobe Nandos! Yes, it’s a DAM product, but has a big importance and tells stories – it stores the other precious products, the clothes exhibited in the store. 

What do you think about the Portuguese design scene?

The designers and the brands have to believe more and want more. There is a space to conquer in the Portuguese market but especially in the international market. We are still far to get there, but there are some brands and designers who have done half the route. 

What is your favourite Place at city of Porto?

The Marginal of the Douro River. Take a trip in the marginal is something that inspires us, either by car or on foot, in the river mouth or downtown area. The view over the Douro River and the contact here with the people of Porto is something sublime. 

A few things that are inspiring you?

What inspires us – We! Not the telecommunications brand “NOS” (“WE” in English), but We – Hugo, Joana, the Portuguese people and Portugal. Our banalities of day-to-day life, our passion for homeland, the flavours, the stories, the welcoming people, the Portuguese materials. 

Why do you live (work) where you live (work)?

We live in São João da Madeira and we work here and there, sometimes in the carpentry, or in the car, on the phone, on the computer, at the customer’s room, in the house, in the parents’ house or friends’ house and often at our home. We work .. does not worry us where. 

Is there any website you are daily addicted to?

There are many websites. Some of them are Mocoloco, Design Milk, Archiproducts

Can you tell us something that you haven´t had the opportunity to tell in an interview?

What did you dine yesterday?We dined “Francesinha”, it was divine! For the most distracted people that go to Porto and don’t know, it’s something that has bun, ham, cheese, sausages and steak. For the more refined as Hugo, it can include an egg on the top and in the end it is covered with a high-calorie sauce. This dish is served with fries.

What do you think about the future?

The Future belongs to the Designers! The Design and the Designers will not be only part of the operative process, but mainly will be part of the decision process. And we are talking about the creative areas and also the other areas. Every product involve a building process, which involve designers to reach the public. Design is always a part that creates value in the process, so the Designers will make decisions in the future.

And your own future?

Next to the big international brands, where our products are recognized as design references. 

What is in your desktop at the moment?

Preparing the future! There are papers everywhere, drawings, notes, market researches, cartons to pack the products. There’s the phone ringing. There is the doorbell ringing because someone has mail for us… 

And about scar-id store?

Good job! Promote the best made in Portugal and leave your scars!

one year . thank you

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scar.id store, one year.

It´s inevitable, sometimes we have to clean and (re)start. More or less rationally, always more emotionally, driven by a fulmination will, hedonism or selfishness, basic need or economic/social opportunity: it has to be now or, it´s not worth; worth it? Because at another time we have no longer 30, and at 40´s there is more books read, more visited cities and more philosophies and ethics and aesthetics. And more life constructed on black clothes and piles of magazines at the corner of a discreet fifth floor skyline over Porto, dreaming with golden mirrors and…

It should be a moment when we could look at the mirror and ask: what are we doing with our lives. Sometimes we could understand that we are following a random direction of life or old patterns; elaborating and trying to materialize a persona between what we want to be and what we are. And between what we are and want to be, what we were and how others see us: there is an identity that we don´t know, but we imagine most of the (aware) time, but we never saw on the mirror.

The city? It´s what we most like (besides each other). We can´t stand going out of the city, to the nature, green, suburb. Out, no. It´s something genetic, the geography it´s mixed-up, we lost ourselves, there is a need to go back. The city. Travel through cities, urban centres, the SoCIeTY, people, streets, squares, caffes, hotels, cinemas, bookstores, buildings, restaurants and stores. The store as a symbol of the (re)new urban culture. We travel to feel the contemporary urban culture, even online, mainly online; the contemporary urban culture, global but local, aesthetic, more aesthetic then ethic. But also ethic, in a world where (only) the aesthetic should concern.

Porto? Not always. There was a time that was Paris, one day will be Paris, we´ll always have Paris. “Oporto based, worldwide (Paris) oriented”. Porto, a middle scale between worldwide and local. Big apartments (and steel cheap), good food (increasingly expensive), walking with the car parked at the door. Sun (80% days raining), hot (but north cold), cool nights, resting days, sometimes. Tourism, most of the times, almost always, but not tourism, international travellers, saving the month at the last day, giving value to the made in Portugal.

Design? Yes, somewhere between Architecture and Visual Arts. Photography and Interiors. From fashion to furniture, bags, jewellery, small objects, stationery and ceramics. Small identity passions. And there were, hidden in closets or in boxes, between the time of the show and the press; the exhibition and the prize. Kept, forgotten, not continued media attention. Is there anyone who likes it? Besides 5min on tv, 10 at the fashion show and 15 in the exhibition room? Is there someone who buys it?
Should we try? Let’s try? We can´t promise you nothing, we like it, let’s try?

One year has passed. Thank you.
To those who believed and those who did not but supported. To those who don´t know what design is, and those who know but don´t care. To those who came once and those who never realised why came back.
To those who had buy a piece, or five. To whom we showed the basement as our secret archive and who just bought items from the there. To those who save during months to buy that piece. To those who understand global and timeless design. To those who just see the windows, or just the price, or just came to copy.
To those who design it. And believed in us. To those who never sold a piece, but continue because we all believe that there will be the right costumer. To those who wait for the end of the month email to pay the rent. To the ones that doesn´t believed in us, but it worked.

A year has passed. Thank you. Turn out well?
Better than one of us expected, worse than the other.
It was easy? Did we get rich? Will we be rich? Are we going to expand to Paris? No, no, no, someday.
Did we influence anyone? To the design scene? To the aesthetics and the ethics?
Does it worth? A store selling Portuguese designers? Sure. In Porto? Yes for us and to the Portuguese? Doubts. For the world?

We think so and we want to continue, if so for aesthetic and ethic stubbornness; For the relations created with all the designers and clients; For the beside things that happened because of the store; For the persons that understood what design is about, and started appreciate what we do; For the pieces that came out the closets and boxes, for all the samples that became production, for all the extra pieces raised in the middle of collections. For all those pieces that will never be sold, but surely need a white storefront in the Oporto Arts District. For us.

Let´s keep going. The second year.
Scar.id store lost its store. We are now scar.id and we are scar.id. We don´t want to be the store, we have never wanted be just the store. “Oporto based, worldwide oriented, working with the identity through design.”
Making projects, designing homes, taking pictures, installations, windows, designing products, ceramics, bags; identities; hotels, restaurants, bars, apartments and stores, interiors and exteriors, dinner tables and environments…in Porto and worldwide.
Let´s keep going. Scar.id lost the store, but the store continues. Rua do Rosário, 253, Porto and scar-id.com.