Fernanda Novo
Sea stories in soul and art
Text and photographs by Ana VascoFernanda Novo’s story, like the Camisolas Poveiras she produces, is born from the sea. As the granddaughter of fishermen and fish merchants, she carries the pride of coming from a family with Poveiro symbols and being a continuer of the oldest traditions. All the knowledge she has acquired, she does not keep to herself: Fernanda is a generous trainer, dedicated to teaching techniques and passing on the passion for craftsmanship and the culture of Póvoa de Varzim to new generations.
The first waves
Fernanda entered the world of crafts very early, influenced by her aunts and grandmother, who knitted and made socks for the men to take to sea. Very curious, she liked to sit with them after school to learn. At 13, she began her formal career in a ready-to-wear shop and throughout her youth, she moved through various segments related to fashion and decoration. After getting married, she opened a pastry shop with her husband, where she started selling her handmade products, such as slippers, hats, socks, nativity scenes, Christmas balls, bells, wallets, and other items with Poveiro symbols.
Tacking into the wind
Facing headwinds and significant personal challenges – an ischemic stroke and the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced her to close the pastry shop – Fernanda Novo, like a tacking boat that needs to manoeuvre to move forward, had the strategy and patience to deal with adversities. She created the brand “Artes da Poveira” and devoted herself exclusively to craftsmanship.
Being a skilled artisan who knew how to knit and make basic designs, she was invited to teach Camisola Poveira courses even before making her first piece. With some experienced friends, she quickly learned the basics for making the sweater and started teaching. Since then, many Camisolas Poveiras have been produced by her. Certification soon followed as an important recognition of her work.
Sailing the seas
In addition to participating in many fairs, Fernanda has a strong online presence and an unparalleled ability to create emotional connections with her customers. She highly values interactions and stands out for personalising the entire creation process of her pieces, considering preferences, documenting each stage, sharing the progress of productions, and strengthening the bond between customers and Poveiro culture. “When they receive it, they feel immense joy. A customer from Lisbon, for example, couldn’t resist and put on the Camisola Poveira at the CTT post office, right after picking it up. He asked the staff to take photos and sent them to me, saying, ‘Mrs. Fernanda, I was dying to receive it!’ It’s a great pride!” she says enthusiastically. But as an experienced navigator of the arts, Fernanda knows that the sea rarely calms for the passage of large vessels. Like Santiago, the character from Ernest Hemingway’s “The Old Man and the Sea,” she faces the challenges of time, significant losses, exhaustion, and the complexities of artisanal work with determination. Fernanda believes that the future of craftsmanship depends on a new perception and appreciation by new generations, and that her work as a trainer is essential – representing the boat that carries courage and art and will continue to sail to keep the tradition alive.