Landmark agreement in the Portuguese Fashion Industry

Portugal Fashion and ModaLisboa agreed on an understanding that set up the landmark agreement that will benefit both designers and Portuguese fashion industry. This protocol marked the end of the "back to back" living in fashion terms in the country.

This cooperation agreement was signed at the Casa da Arquitetura de Matosinhos, between ModaLisboa Association and ANJE - National Association for Young Entrepreneurs, on 11 September. The Prime Minister of Portugal attended the ceremony as well as several representatives of business associations.

This protocol represents the opening up of a new era in the relations between the two main organizations.

"Today change begins. This is the concrete expression of the efforts of both entities, which have been greatly supported by the Government. But it is also, and this must be stated, the first step in a transition to this new era, with a continuity assumption, and a close liaison between the organisations, in order to coordinate agendas, actions and projects and to enhance Portuguese fashion at national level and abroad", stated Eduarda Abbondanza, President of ModaLisboa Association.

"Most importantly, the fashion industry deserves this protocol. And this is also an example and a challenge to our country, so that people and institutions can jointly cooperate in the elaboration of a shared development strategy", declared Adelino Costa Matos, President of ANJE.

"In the future, there should be one national fashion week, with shows in Porto and in Lisbon, and not two disparate events, as it was till now", Adelino Costa Matos enthused.

The cooperation agreement defines that designers and fashion shows work together, for added value services and products, starting this October with the joint Fashion Week.