AOW JOURNAL
From interviews with boutique brand owners to hidden treasures from across the world… explore AOW’s Journal for industry insight and inspiration.
Are you a retailer or brand wanting to be interviewed by AOW, or perhaps know of a like-minded brand for us to explore? Let us know!
AOW Insider: A Sourcing Journey to Northern Portugal
This past winter, I ventured to northern Portugal alongside one of the partners I represent. We journeyed to the far north of the country to hand-select new vintage pieces and explore the area’s production capabilities for wool, linen, and basketry.
PRODUCT HIGHLIGHT: Portuguese Ceramics from Alentejo
This week, I am really excited to share one of my favorite finds from this year with you. It's a new partner of mine from Portugal who offers an extremely vibrant and soulful line of ceramics. This collection is extremely special. It evolved from the work of four Portuguese illustrators who were invited to work in Alentejo with a family of master potters. The limited-edition terracotta line they created together merges traditional techniques and motifs with more modern designs. The playful collection includes alguidares, wall dishes, anthropomorphic pots and small utilitarian dishes.
It's quite inspiring to see young artists work with the masters to create a line available for the export market. It’s an example of something that can truly help sustain this craft. Traditional know-how is celebrated, yet there is ample room for innovation and an opening for new market opportunities. It’s a wonderful multi-generational cultural investigation that’s resulted in a beautiful series of work.