MODA ETIC 2022: [un] TRADITIONAL

A runway show presented by the ETIC Fashion Design class of 2022

Models backstage lining up before the runway. Photograghy by Valeria Creanga.

From colorful and playful looks to dramatic designs, the eleven graduating students from the ETIC Fashion Design class saw their creations walk down the runway in July. After two years of the uncertainty that the pandemic brought on all of us, the graduates, together with the classes of Production and Styling, delivered a runway show full of fresh designs, marking a new beginning for the fashion scene in Lisbon.

Words by Fernanda Russomano

Based on the method of “learning by doing” and with the guidance of professionals as teachers, ETIC is an education institute based in Lisbon that offers courses in various creative fields. From videogame development to cinema, photography and fashion courses, the school campus is located in the heart of Lisbon, and it was there that the fashion show took place. After a fun session of welcome drinks with a DJ set, the graduates began by presenting a combined fashion show with a selection of looks they felt best represented their individual journey through the course. Not long after, the individual shows started.

Wearing looks ranging from colorful patterns to black latex, the models walked down the runway displaying the graduate’s designs. While designer João Rebola opened the show with his collection inspired by his grandmother, featuring silk fabrics with lace and fur details and a long white wedding dress with a beaded headpiece, designer Rita Oliveira got inspiration from the chaos that is mercury retrograde and its contrast with the feminine energy. This chaotic combination resulted in a collection characterized by a striking blue fabric and an original colorful abstract pattern that composed looks of button-down shirts and dresses with detailed sleeves and big pockets.

Collection “Vicência“ by João Rebola and styled by Lou Munoz

Collection “Mercúrio Retrógado“ by Rita Oliveira and styled by Rebecca Zola

Inspired by the works of the performance artist Marina Abramović, designer Raquel Durães showcased her collection titled “No Limits”. With oversized looks and maximized elements, the collection shows high-wasted cinched pants combined with long sleeve tops with turtlenecks covering most of the model’s face. Maxi and puffy white elements compose looks as sleeves, pants and even on the model’s ankles to resemble boots.

Collection “Sem Limites“ by Raquel Durães and styled by Marta Ernesto

Closing the show, Rodrigo Ramalho surprised the audience by having the Portuguese musician Zé Manel open his segment of the runway show. With his artistic background as a painter, Rodrigo decided to take the course after a suggestion from a friend and found himself as a fashion designer. Based on the idea of deconstructing purist and romantic aspects, his collection represents in his words “how we are as people and how we build ourselves by deconstructing ourselves”. Marked with dramatic makeup looks, asymmetric shapes and ruffles and an original red abstract pattern, this collection for men is part of the designer’s personal brand Ro Archive.

Collection “Break me“ by Ro Archive (Rodrigo Ramalho) and styled by Mariana Gomes

Besides the designers mentioned above, seven other graduates had their designs walked down the runway that day. Here is a selection of some of the looks displayed.