Cape Verdean Designer Filomena Moreno's Creations Featured at Monte da Caparica Fashion Show
The third edition of the Fashion & Culture Parade is taking place today, starting at 5:00 PM in Monte da Caparica, Almada, with free admission. The event showcases the work of Cape Verdean seamstress Filomena Moreno, fulfilling her long-held dream of presenting her designs in a parade. Adosinda Brito from the Cristo Rei Parish Social Center (CSPCR), the organizing entity, explained that the parade originated from Moreno's aspiration to exhibit her creations. This project was one of seven selected for funding by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), supporting community-led initiatives. Eighteen models, predominantly of Cape Verdean descent residing in Monte da Caparica, including one professional, will present Moreno's designs. Her creations artfully blend African fabrics with conventional textiles, aiming to celebrate contemporary African and Cape Verdean cultural identity. The chosen venue, Rua da Bela Vista, where Moreno's atelier is located, holds symbolic significance. The organizers intend to reframe the street's image, often associated with problems, by highlighting its potential for community interaction, creativity, and revitalization. The event also features cultural entertainment, including DJ sets and a Cape Verdean batucada group, fostering community cohesion and celebrating cultural diversity. The CSPCR views this event as an opportunity to promote local talent, encourage inclusion, and strengthen community ties through fashion, culture, and the recognition of diverse identities.
This community-driven fashion and cultural event highlights the intersection of artistic expression, cultural preservation, and urban revitalization. By leveraging funding from the Recovery and Resilience Plan, the initiative demonstrates a model for community empowerment and local economic development. The focus on blending traditional African textiles with contemporary fashion aims to foster a sense of cultural pride and contemporary relevance, potentially attracting new audiences and economic opportunities. Furthermore, the explicit goal of altering the perception of a specific neighborhood through creative and cultural programming suggests a strategic approach to social cohesion and place-making, using art as a catalyst for positive change and challenging existing stereotypes. The event's success could serve as a replicable blueprint for other communities seeking to harness cultural assets for social and economic benefit.
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