Celeste Ferreira
the fashion designer of Vila do Conde bobbin lace
Text and photographs by Ana VascoA centuries-old tradition can be reborn in hands devoid of traditional inheritance. About 20 years ago, Celeste Ferreira, a native of Porto, moved to Vila do Conde and, with no prior connection to the art of bobbin lace, found in this traditional technique the foundation for an innovative path in the universe of Creative Industries.
From fashion to bobbin lace
When Celeste arrived in Vila do Conde, she brought with her a wealth of experience in fashion and manual arts. As the daughter of a seamstress, she had created various clothes for herself from a young age. Despite being trained in fashion design, skilled in crochet, and possessing a foundation in the creative field, learning to weave with bobbins was a significant challenge. For many years, at the Vila do Conde Bobbin Lace School, she learned the stitches, perfected the methods, understood the patterns, and produced many metres of lace to develop her practice. The learning process was long and demanding, but her determination allowed her to create unique and high-quality pieces.
Innovation and Recognition
With innovative pieces and accessories, in 2016, Celeste Ferreira held her exhibition titled ``Magic of Bobbins,`` which featured dresses, skirts, tops, and accessories made of lace, with various applications. Her distinctive approach led her to exhibit in other shows and to win first place in the Vila do Conde lacemakers contest with a bobbin lace dress.
Recognition and loss
Each piece made by Celeste requires precision, creativity, and a touch of the artist's personality in every detail. Selling a piece represents both the recognition of her talent and the validation of her efforts, as well as the loss of something deeply personal. This was the case with the first hat she made, entirely of bobbin lace, which won her an innovation award. ``I sold the hat and was very happy, but at the same time, I felt sad because I had many sleepless nights because of it,`` laments the artisan. If it were something easily reproducible, the pain of the loss would not be significant. By innovating, each piece she makes carries, in addition to the technique, the vision and passion of the artist.
Work, passion, and style
Very dynamic, Celeste does not stop. She dedicates about eight hours daily to creating new pieces. Even when she is at fairs, she produces different pieces live while interacting with the public. The close contact with buyers, she says, allows her to adapt to clients' preferences, create bonds, increase sales, and educate visitors about the value and complexity of bobbin lace.
Celeste's passion for fashion and bobbin lace inspires her to continue creating and developing her own style. She perpetuates and revitalises a centuries-old tradition, transforming it into an art form adapted to modern demands and aesthetics. With each piece, Celeste demonstrates that it is possible to honour tradition while exploring new artistic possibilities, creating works that are a true tribute to cultural heritage and an affirmation of her individuality and vision as an artist.