It’s a family affair. The brand carries the name of the daughter, but the mother has been involved from the very beginning – long before Benedita Formosinho even dreamed of becoming a fashion designer. “One day, I walked into her room, which was like a proper studio, and said, ‘Let’s turn your talent into a business’”, recalls Perpétua Formosinho, seven years on from opening their first store-studio in Setúbal and making their debut at ModaLisboa’s Sangue Novo.
We’re at the launch of the brand’s third space, which joins the original Setúbal location and their spot at Embaixada in Príncipe Real, Lisbon. Now based in Cascais, in the former Paços do Concelho building, the new store at Relógio – Slow Retail boasts 65 square metres, two entrances, neighbours like HLC Jewellery and Saints at Sea, large windows letting in plenty of sunshine, a cosy sofa, and plenty of room to explore the collections at your own pace. “We weren’t actively looking, but when the opportunity came up, it just made perfect sense. The atmosphere, the location, the space, all that light, the proximity to the sea…” lists Benedita. “I need calm spaces and contact with nature. In Setúbal, where I’m from, I find all of that – and here too”.
On the hangers, garments in natural tones shine, with cuts that blend different textures and materials. On the walls, the brand’s mottos are displayed – “What we do matters” and “Our waste isn’t waste” – alongside framed moodboards explaining the creative and production process. “People need to be informed to make conscious choices”, says Perpétua. “We don’t want to be just a space where people find pieces to buy. By sharing the story of how we make things, what materials we use, the durability, the colour, the design, we’re providing important information”.
Sustainability and circularity are taken very seriously here, in contrast to fleeting trends or constantly rotating collections (some pieces carry over from one collection to the next). Waste is transformed into new yarn – which is sold by the skein (€5.50) or used to create new pieces, like the Tulipa jumper (€145) and the Luna blouse (€179). “This was a project of great resilience and dedication. We really believed in it, but it was tough convincing a Portuguese factory to accommodate the waste of a micro-business. We kept pushing, never gave up”, continues Perpétua, the more practical half of the duo.
The use of Portuguese raw materials and a deep connection to heritage are other core values – and they led to the brand’s big new addition: unisex shoes made with Alentejo wool blankets.
“My mum and family are from Alentejo, and we want to reconnect with our roots. When we visited the blanket factory in Reguengos de Monsaraz, where they still use traditional 20th-century looms, it was truly inspiring – we were amazed. We started with coats [Selenite, €456], but we really wanted to introduce shoes”, explains Benedita. Currently available in a single design, they come in sizes 36 to 44 and cost €176.
The latest collection, Terra, blends the fresh feel of linen and hemp with soft, breathable organic cotton. Alongside the natural tones, terracotta brown adds warmth to the colour palette.
Key pieces include the Amarílis blouse (€110), featuring burel netting, the Hibísco top (€110), and the Buganvília dress (€142) – both with gathered straps, horizontal pleats, and delicate buttons down the back. Another new development is the expanded size range, now from 32 to 44. After all, Benedita Formosinho is a family affair, and the pieces are designed for all ages.
Praça 5 de Outubro, 75, Cascais. Mon-Sun 10.30-13.00 and 14.00-19.30