Settlement of the Heart

Mariana is a Portuguese textile artist & fashion designer specialising in print & is committed to working sustainably by upcycling existing materials. Her artistic focus addresses current issues & expresses her personal reactions, emotions & life experiences through textiles. Mariana aims to extend & enhance the body, creating a harmonious "second skin" with fluid movement inbuilt. Her graduate collection pays homage to the influential women in her life, shedding light on their struggles within patriarchal societies. The collection featured a powerful fashion performance using reconstructed stretch fabrics, including repurposed tights & other feminine garments, conveying a delicate balance of strength & fragility. Looking ahead, Mariana's goal is to showcase her future fashion collections in a more artistic manner, moving beyond superficial runway shows & emphasising the deeper meaning behind her designs. Mariana won the Colour Award from the Worshipful Company of Dyers in 2022.