Esquilo was born out of my love for Portuguese, African and vintage fabrics. I am a young Portuguese artist and my background is in graphic design. I appreciate how stories can be told in both a tactile and visual way. Each one of my purses is unique and is a combination of stories and traditional craft-making. I love going to flea markets and looking for that one fabric that immediately calls to me, that one ribbon that has been stored in someone's drawer for years crying out to be reinvented as something new. Travelling the Portuguese countryside I have also been able to encounter long-forgotten stores complete with long forgotten stocks upon stocks of vintage fabric. Portugal is a country rich in craftsmanship from the embroidery of Vianna do Castelo to the wonderful ceramic Factories in Caldas da Rainha. This Project is an attempt to explore these vast treasures and share them with lovers of design and culture the world over. All handbags are handmade in Portugal by me, Lurdes Borralho.
If you happen to be in Lisbon, Portugal drop by and see me and my purses at the Esquilo Atelier, LX Factory.
www.esquilohandbags.blogspot.com for more stories or become a fan on facebook.