Bus Urban Wear is an innovative and creative national brand at the forefront of fashion and already exports to several European countries. The collection of 500 pieces involves a detailed analysis of trends and sales by the creative team of which is part fashion designer Elsa Rodrigues for almost two years.

What sets the style of Bus Urban Wear?
Elsa Rodrigues: The bus is directed to wear jeans, but also look for cover women workers through looks more classic and basic with a cleaner image. It is for an age range from 30 to 40 years of age.

But also bet on a men's collection?
ER: Yes we have these two aspects. The women's collection was the first to be produced and then was introduced the man clothes.

From the trends, how do you define what works for Bus?
ER: We analyze sales, to know what kind of key pieces will continue, albeit with some changes. There is a base set of clothes that must always exist in the collections of Bus, which are called basic research and then we view the trends for the innovations that are emerging in the market and that are essential in the collections.

What are the basics of Bus?
ER: It's a group. For summer we have t-shirts, singlet's and some shirts and pants with basic customization that are targeted with several washings, or denim in different colors. We do not have a unique clothe that defines the style of the brand, we have a set that varies by market need. This year they are betting on the dresses and skirts and so eventually will appear two or three pieces in the collection that turn out to be most striking, but for next year could be pants, or shirts. Always changes.

Ana Paula Amorim is the designer responsible for the collections of a ready to wear Fashion Company. A brand that began seventeen years ago, as quotient, but has firmly implemented it's way in the domestic market under another name, Serenade, a line that reflects a more romantic, classic and very feminine universe.

How do you get your ideas for the collections of ready-to-wear?

Ana Paula Amorim: I do not travel a lot; I depend a lot on my imagination. The creative process begins with the book of fashion trends, which helps a lot and every fashion magazine. Through these images we see colors, cuts and market innovations. We will also research in the internet. This year, for example, trends are from the 60's, 70's and 80's. I see many Brazilian sites, because I think they have very funky clothes. They have ideas that are more for the summer. I watch also the collections of European designers, who are the ones I like more.

Who is the woman who wears the brand Serenade?

APA: They are women who are around between 25 years to 50 years of age. Buy my style of clothing, because they are bold. Attention, the more mature women want more clothes on the cutting edge of fashion trends and require updated lines. Now also is emerging very funny phenomenon of the larger women, they want also beautiful clothes, with taste, with details that they can't find on stores. We are already making clothes for these women with larger sizes, currently I am working with XXL, XXL, but the clothes are not so bold, they end up buying because there's a brutal market need for large sizes. They also want more basic, not so much in color, but printed pattern need a special care.

Why? Portuguese women like it or not printed?

APA: They like printed, but not all types. Must be mild, it can be bold, for example, I do not sell tiger patterns. I have loyal customers to such standards, but there are shops that do not even buy them. Giant flowers or white background fabric with brightly flowers, it's very dashing, they do not prefer it either. The Portuguese like to be more discreet.

In terms of colors, they also have a preference for gaudy tones or not so?

APA: Not so much. But oddly enough this year, the tones are located in the coral, gold, earth tones with the yellows and oranges and they are joining. Although the Portuguese women do not enjoy this kind of color, but as it is fashionable this year are buying it.

You no longer need to leave home to buy a pair of earrings, or a tissue. Just order everything online.

In a very recent past, every time we needed a cloth, a special button, a feather, or a ribbon for our hair, invariably resorted to the "retrosarias", with its wide variety of colors, patterns, sizes, and it was almost like enter in a world where our imagination had no limits to creativity. Currently, these spaces have been disappearing from the traditional trade areas due to the lack of customers, even those that remain, they do so much at the expense of the stubbornness of the owners, of very low rents and some old faithful customers. And curiously the shopping centers did not dictate the death of this business "of the little nothings." The main "culprit" for the decline of these stores is the ready-to-wear clothing that is no longer manufactured by milliners fitted with fashion magazines. In 60's and seventies was normal mothers sawing the entire wardrobe of the family, as a result of the need to save money, there was always a potential seamstress in many Portuguese homes. In our days, the young enthusiasts of do it yourself flood the internet with their wonderful products and also sell retail online. Curious, no? "The world of accessories" is a concept with such a variety. Offers great fun of products and you also can buy fabrics with patterns that are truly delicious a guaranteed success with the children. There is a bit of everything for all tastes and all ages. And if you want to change something, it does not matter; you can always place an order. Are the winds of change, in a store was no longer physical but virtual, but if you really need a store "the world of accessories" offers a series of courses on the spot.

http://mundo_dos_acessorios.blogs.sapo.pt/

Alexandra Prieto is an artist and designer who defines herself as a sponge. She sucks trends, colors, patterns and emotions that brings to the canvas and curiously to her shoes. Yes, you read right. The "art on shoes" came to life as a joke, but quickly become a brand that has been implementing the duality of art with illustrations, and fashion in the form of footwear.

You really must loves shoes, to applied art in shoes, right?
Alexandra Prieto: The shoes are a passion that I have since a little girl. I always liked to use my mother pumps and played with them. During all these years few clothes I bought but every month had to buy a new pair of shoes. It was something that naturally appealed to me and as a joke I even defined people by the shoes that were wearing. However, the painting was always present in my life, I ended up following art, I graduated in painting and sculpture in fine art and "art on shoes" was born of that event. In December 2010 I was preparing an exhibition and I remembered going to the art show with a pair of shoes with the theme of the exhibition, printed on the invitation and poster. I tried a few prototypes to see how it was possible to put the idea into practice and when the shoes came it was crazy and I saw it was something we could explore more seriously. Before this event, I register the brand, the logo and I launch it on that show with the name "art on shoes." So it was a surprise to people who thought they would just see an exhibition and came to see footwear exposed in another room, almost like paintings. Each collection associated with an illustration.

And you sold out the collections at that time?
AP: Exactly. For this exhibition was order some pairs counting on sales and was the first time I realized that there could be a market and it was funny. At the time, had enough orders and "art on shoes" has been growing as a more cohesive brand.

How is the creative process that allows you to create illustrations for the collections of "art on shoes"? I noticed that like to address the issue of Lisbon.
AP: First impressions emerged from this exhibition that I mentioned earlier, following a request from a writer named Napoleon Mira who asked me to do some illustrations for his book. He took these pictures in order to publicize his work at various points of sale. I was born in Lisbon, I live in this city and the few times I go away, I travel, I end up coming back and falling in love with it every time. I am fascinated when I return to this extraordinary light and it turns out to be reflected in my work; however I do much like the Alentejo which also appears on some of the illustrations. The concept of "art on shoes" itself is different. The company only has two years and we still only three collections. My idea works in reverse of fashion, which presents collections for summer and winter. Of illustrations we have a total of 17, in which we change the models according to the season. Imagine the peep toe, a shoe which is open at the front which is used in winter and summer. With socks or without them, turns out to be an open model that is sold throughout the year. The sandals came about because I was invited to an exhibition and did one more illustration called summer Cascais, which I was inspired in the gardens, I did not explored the beach, but the concept the more floral area. So this collection emerges much lighter, clearly thinking in this town. Everything comes naturally. I am currently analyzing trends to launch in this summer bolder colors. I also thought of "Moda Lisboa" and inspiration just comes from everywhere. And then depends on the colors, if we are in winter the colors are darker.

Who is the woman of "art on shoes"? Who is she?
AP: The customers, the first "art on shoes," I thought they were women of my age, I have 34 years. They would be a mirror of what I like. Inevitably, it turns out to be very present. Today, surprisingly our range of customers is much more extensive; girls with 18 years old buy my shoes. They ask parents to buy different shoes to the proms. Even women with 65 years of age, have a model for them comfortable with more brown colors and they can use with a classic outfit. Therefore, we finally reach a very large target. Women who come to us and are faithful to the brand, is that female entrepreneurs, who has professional success, those well with her life and likes to be bold, like fashion and want a different detail. We may be dressed the same way, with the same dress, flat shoes and a have a posture and walking with the same clothes and high heels we have become more imposing. More authoritarian in the right sense. Turns out to be an upper middle class woman.

In the two B & C productions was audible the investment in new bands singing in Portuguese and English.

One of the bands that is part of the soundtrack of the movie "bullets and cookies" are the Fonzie. It is an indie band that composes themes in English and Portuguese. The debut in B & C was "Rock My Heart," a song with a strong pop beat and a breakneck pace, much to the taste of our friends from Valongo and a huge successful in the social networks. The group intends to launch in late September, a new album with 12 songs in Portuguese with the title "Way."
The following band is bLUNDER with the theme "happy pills" that was part of "bullets and cookies," the return. This Portuguese group sings in English, with a sound closer to rock, but also consider themselves indie. These guys from the north already have a remarkable career in the Portuguese music scene since 1999 and recently released their last studio album, entitled "lost and left behind." Finally, the no less known Jaimão with the theme of this iconic musical score, Quinzinho, the pimp. It's a song that reflects the spirit not only of character but also of the films. The songs have spicy lyrics, some more obvious than others, they will make you laugh by their devious intentions. This popular singer will participate with a new song in the third chapter, which will be a national debut. The album has a very suggestive name that I refuse to reproduce. Look on the site if you want listen carefully. And I say no more!

http://www.fonzietime.com/

http://palcoprincipal.sapo.pt/blunder

http://www.jaimao.com/

Arkitetwool recreates the idea of a simple carpet developing a new design concept. An affordable product made from the most traditional techniques that distinguish itself by its innovation and quality. A brand that has expanded beyond its borders, to the country of carnaval, Brazil, but that will not stop here, as explained by its business project mentor, Luis Barreira.

what's the concept behind Arkitektwool?
Louis Barreira: After finishing college the opportunity arose to join a company of tapestry and soon realized twenty years ago that there was a large gap, in the carpet design. From there came an idea to create a parallel company and that is how arkitetwool was born.

Parallel in what sense? There's a production of rugs and them arkitetwool?
LB: No, all our production is related to the manufacture of tapestry. We have a store that is arkitet art, but our company manufactures all carpets. And all in one way or another are manual. Some require more manpower than others. Is one of our main characteristics, none of them is industrialized, not run of a machine that makes three to five hundred Mats in turn. They are made yes on handlooms, one at a time for a specific client. It's really tailor's work.

A craftsman takes on average how much time to complete a rug?
LB: That depends on the extent, of the intrinsic design and work that requires the carpet. On average a manual rug, with a measure between the 1.60 cm x 1.40 cm, it may take about two days to be finish.

In creative terms, the designs depend on a request made by the client, or your creative team develops ideas from concepts?
LB: The work can be done by the two ways you mentioned. We have our collections that are developed by the creative team, four in all. For the kitchen we create carpets that can have the shape of a strawberry, or a pineapple and a bunch of grapes. We have one for the bathrooms, with tropical fish. Then we have a segment for the decoration of the house and the nursery. These are the collections that arkitetwool have for their client. The other aspect is when the customer comes to us with a drawing, or something else, like a curtain from his home and from that tissue sample we present two or three proposals for the room by this detail. A concept developed specifically for the client's home. People often are surprised how we can produce a work of such quality at such an affordable price, of around four hundred euros. This is one of the major goals of the brand, because our idea is to reach the general public and not only niche markets. Our carpets despite the design are not just affordable for football players. There are many people coming to our space that are even afraid to ask the price, because they think it costs a fortune and is not so. Also we bet on innovation. One of our products has small notes with a very thin wood inlaid and it works very well. We have fabric applications and artificial flowers made of felt. It is these details that make our carpets distinctive and different.

An innovative technology helps to prevent potential heart attacks. To do so, simply wear a t-shirt.

The future is here, in formats that we never thought possible, but thanks to extensive studies, the ingenuity and effort of some is possible to improve the quality of life. The vital Jacket (vj) is a shirt that can monitor the heart rate of patients with cardiovascular problems 24 hours a day. Picture an electrocardiogram machine the size of a chip inserted into a comfortable t-shirt that can be used in your day-to-day. The product, developed and marketed by a national company, includes a holster system that allows you to upgrade the cardiac patient records on a continuing basis, non-intrusive and in real-time. How? Through a Bluetooth transmitter that lets it view the results of this small scanner at your cardiologist office. That is, if the patient is in cardiac arrest the doctor immediately triggers the system of emergency to help the patient. Sounds like science fiction? But, I guarantee you it is not. There is also a version of this shirt for premature babies and teenager, as is public knowledge, is often difficult to keep children quiet and comfortable as they proceed to a routine screening, the anguish of that moment disappears completely with the use of the Kids version. Not only is less evasive, and allows you to keep a detailed record of the heartbeats of children as they develop their daily activities. Biodevices maintains a fruitful partnership with Petratex, a textile company, a leader in new technologies for the creation of fabrics, which was crucial in the manufacture of shirts. The Institute of Cardiology of the North is another partner in this innovative project, through development of new clinical applications for vj in cardiovascular medicine.

http://www.vitaljacket.com/

They are young people which disagree with the trends of fashion and want to customize your clothing.

In the digital world and social networks is remarkable the appearance of young people who would help you change clothing, footwear, fashion accessories and also who to customized to suit your taste. A new movement that is increasingly growing in terms of fans, so much so that many blogs encourages you to create ways to make a personal style rather than to follow fashion trends. They are mostly young women that sell their unique items of clothing on the internet but it is not just fashion, they encourage an alternative lifestyle, which goes against the consumer society. They reinvent their image, starting with clothing, boyfriend, and ending at the house pet. If you go to youtube and put the indication, for example, how to make a dress, it appears numerous videos for all tastes and all ages that will last only a few minute. It's that simple, cheap, accessible and think this way, you no longer need to waste time in stores trying to put that close that you much like that hardly serves you and supposedly was your size, not forgetting, those castrating mirrors and lights in the dressing room that can demoralize us further, by showing us every possible and imaginary physical defects. Well, the black backdrop helped? Instead of all this, now the motto is do it yourself, create something more to your liking and give wings to your imagination. Many of these small universes sell small pieces of fabrics and materials for you so that you can recreate step-by-step that piece that you like, or change the one that you not appreciate. Just have a little patience and the results may surprise you. It is a matter of experience. As is my habit to leave at the end of this text some links of young Portuguese women without any fear to go out dressed in their very personal versions of the fashion trends. Dare and wear!

http://www.dress-a-day.pt/

http://www.fotolog.com/neverlandart/43002002

It is one of the last albums edited by Jorge Palma and the second some dissenting voices say is the more commercial of all the already edited to date.

Talking about Jorge Palma itself is an event. It is without much doubt, one of the greatest composers of our country. Night Flight is a mark on his discography because it was launched after a gap of three years. It is also a breath of fresh air, because for the first time, Jorge Palma is notorious a singer and becomes "popular" with the younger generation, through the famous and unforgettable "sit back with me." Not that over the years, he was out, but his faithful audience was another. Now they are much more listening his songs and for that has been criticized by some who claim that he "sold” himself to a more commercial kind of music. This argument alone is very misleading. Just because thanks to a soap opera, one of the themes of this album reached the top sales at the national level, is one factor that contributes to the bizarre decline in this quality as a composer? I do not agree Jorge Palma is at his best. And now the masses know and appreciate him better, he deserves the recognition in this record which is no way lower than the others. He continues to write lyrics that are constantly hovering in our minds, refuting the argument that Portuguese is difficult to transpose to music. This is an album made of poetry. Perhaps the nostalgic preferred Jorge Palma on stage when he forgot his own lyrics and lived in a constant stupor! Now, he not only sings better, he also continues to write melodies like no other. This album is proof. So, sit back with me / since we live one hundred thousand years ago. Jorge Palma will live forever.

http://www.jorgepalma.pt/encostateamim.html

The market for products made from cork has grown internationally.

If thirty years ago someone had suggested the creation of products made from cork to be sold in domestic markets the idea would have been discarded immediately. It is not currently the case. After the application of this natural material in shoes with great success, behold, come on to the market several applications of cork in all kinds of fashion accessories and even decoration. The bark of the cork where it is extracted provides a versatile vegetable fiber that can be used in many objects, while the forest tree renews another cycle of nine years after which it can be peeled back. It is a material that serves many purposes beyond the traditional cork wine or champagne. Lightweight and resistant to liquids, is an excellent acoustic and thermal natural insulation material already used in construction. Highly decorative, can be recycled and is biodegradable which further extends the range of areas where it can be used. Reasons more than enough for several Portuguese companies have bet on niche markets that appreciate this type of product.
The new technologies related to the industrial sector also contributed to the versatility of the application of cork in unusual everyday object, such as umbrellas, flash drives or even wall paper. The fashion is one of the most competitive sectors in this matter. Because of the honey color of this plant compound, its light weight and satin touch; cork has been used as a note on clothing, footwear and leather goods as mentioned earlier. The national designers aware of the potential of this environmentally friendly material recreated sandals, created clothing and decorative objects that have already earned the attention of the public and potential clients internationally. The MoMA Museum in New York is one of the places where you can acquire some of these products that break the national border by thinking green, thinking cork and be bioactive while preserving a natural heritage that belongs to all of us.
www.artelusa.pt
http://www.pelcor.pt/pt/
http://corquedesign.com/