The Best of the 1st Day of the Luxury Design & Craftsmanship Summit – Oporto, 20^th of June. The Craftsmanship Summit kicked off today at Pavilhão Multiusos in Gondomar, Oporto – Portugal! The event started with an amazing artisan showcase where fifteen artisans of fifteen traditional crafts arts display their amazing work!

What followed this Showcase was the 2nd Panel of the Event: Design as a Driving Force of Local Craftsmanship.The panel focus on the evolution of design and interior design, which started to be as branches of architecture, an industry that was always understood as the major art. And if the interior design segment was considered a component of architecture, the design of clothing, furniture, jewelry and other common artifacts were also left mostly to tradition or artisans specializing in handmade products.

The panel debated the evolution of the design industry and how the design cultured impacted the craftsmanship. The truth is that the idea of designers as artisans has become more common since the access to manufacturers is scarce, contributing to the emergence of the Designer-Maker. This has brought transparency to the whole design process to pay tribute to the ancient techniques and craftsmanship, breaking way for new design trends that elevate the luxury design world. This has also led to the revamp of the interior design industry that conquered the right to be highlighted as a genuine industry!

The Panel had the contribution of Fernando Caetano (Moderator), director of Open Media; João Branco e Luis Sanchéz, fashion designers and CEO’s of the Storytailors Fashion Studio; Toni Grilo, product designer of Topázio; Alda Tomás, designer of Vista Alegre; Serena Confalonieri, designer; Francesca Merciari, artisan.

Miss Confalonieri and Miss Merciari took the stage first to present their collaborative project: DoppiaFirma. This project brings together innovative designers and excellent artisans to create a unique collection of original works. Each of the objects carries two signatures – doppia firma, in Italian – as each is the outcome of the collaboration between a designer and a uniquely skilled craftsperson.

The Storytailors, João Branco e Luis Sanchéz, followed up with a presentation about their brand and how the fashion industry can connect with the design industry! Their work mixes History, contemporaneity and future in timeless design. Each Storytailors garment survives the season in which it was designed and can be reproduced at any time, on demand or in special editions.

It was time for Vista Alegre to take the stage with Miss Alda Tomás presenting the genesis of the brand and the craftsmanship power of this centenary brand! Several products of this famous porcelain company where showcased during this stunning presentation that elucidated the audience about what Vista Alegre means to the Design Industry worldwide.

Lastly, Toni Grilo, product designer of Topázio, talked about his illustrious career and about several projects, namely the project with Christophe. He also presented the brand Topázio to the audience and exposed the genesis of this wonderful brand that’s known worldwide! The Luxury Design & Craftsmanship Summit will resume this afternoon with one more stunning Panel and another showing of the Artisans Work!