Teen Vogue landed at Lisbon Fashion Week, also known as ModaLisboa, for a front-row look at the new wave of designers defining Portugal’s style identity and the institutions supporting their growth.
A few hours north of Lisbon, in Porto, lies a legacy of craftsmanship where the footwear industry, led by its formal federation, APPICAPS, has been the unsung engine behind the shoes seen on runways for America’s hometown heroes like Willy Chavarria, Kallmeyer, and Libertine. Taking what they’ve learned and carrying that same spirit of innovation in a city pulsing with creative energy, local designers in Lisbon are embracing the spotlight. Standout collections from BÉHEN, Francisca Nabhino, and Drionadream signal Portugal’s emergence as fashion’s next hotspot.
Backstage at BÉHEN’s Fall/Winter 2026 show, brand founder and designer Joana Duarte speaks to the intention and identity of her creations. Her latest collection is a beautiful interplay of light and shadow featuring delicate, almost luminous embroidery set against darker, weightier silhouettes. But the details of this collection tell a deeper story. “All the beading is real glass, not plastic”, Duarte candidly shares, pointing to a headband she was working on backstage. The beading “is entirely done by hand –no machines” and the motifs are inspired by the Algibeira, a traditional embroidered pocket or pouch from the Minho region of Portugal, anchoring this collection firmly in its roots and Duarte’s cultural narratives. After growing up in Portugal, she earned a degree from Kingston University’s Faculty of Architecture and then interned in India with a brand affiliated with the World Fair Trade Organization.
Moda Lisboa 66Alexandre Azevedo
Through her experiences, she brings a structural sensitivity to her work and a keen interest in ethical production and artisan collaboration. As she fondly put it, she is “weaving every life experience” into her garments, as evidenced throughout the collection. In looks three and four, small mirrors are intricately placed using a traditional Gujarati technique by women artisans now based in Lisbon through the Homelore project, a collective and workshop supporting South Asian crafters. Elsewhere, looks two and six draw on the “traditional attire of Nazare and its symbolism linked to the sea.”
Francisca Nabhino’s eponymous label is a refreshing counterpresence in contemporary fashion, notably with her latest collection, LUCKY. Nabhino explores themes of freedom and self-preservation, while sanctifying historical artistic traditions. This collection was characterized by its playful, yet intentional visual language–featuring bubbly hues, recurring star motifs, and zany prints. She also takes on the heavy task of designing the in-house footwear and jewelry. Nabhino’s academic background informs her approach: she holds a license degree in Art History from Universidade Nova de Lisboa and a master’s degree in Fashion Design from the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Lisbon. When describing the inspiration behind the collection, she shares, “Lucky is about individual identity and the freedom to shape your personal taste through references and memories.” This foundation is evident in the collection’s references, particularly in several prints inspired by the work of Portuguese artist, Almada Negreiros. Through LUCKY, Nabhino reflects a broader movement among emerging Portuguese designers—one marked by a deep reverence for the nation’s artistic legacy. This engagement with cultural heritage enables a design process that feels both instinctive and grounded, balancing innovation with authenticity.