“A Ilha dos Amores”
"A Ilha dos Amores", this capsule collection, was inspired by five Portuguese legends, each attributed to a distinct outfit, with femininity as the focal point. This focus highlights the influence and importance of women, often overlooked due to other grand achievements where Portuguese men are celebrated. Though legends are frequently seen as mere fanciful stories, they play a crucial role in sharing knowledge, lessons, and the culture of a people, passed down from generation to generation.
Myths and legends ultimately serve as narratives of the heroic actions of mythical figures for the Portuguese, often providing a sense of purpose, courage, and faith. These narratives, in turn, grant a unique identity to the country and the people who pass on these mystical stories to future generations. Many of these legends feature women as protagonists, often based on real events and infused with a touch of mysticism to render their actions in a more exaggerated and fantastical way. The stories "Dama-Pé-de-Cabra", "Inês de Castro", "Bruxas Lavandeiras", "A Ilha dos Amores" e o "Anjo da Guarda" are conveyed both literally and subtly through the pieces, using a similar color palette to create a cohesive collection.
1- Inês de Castro
The relationship between Inês de Castro and King Pedro I of Portugal is filled with love and tragedy, and, due to his wishes, shrouded in mystery. This young noblewoman was born between 1320 and 1325 in Galicia. In 1339, at just 14 years old, Inês arrived in Portugal as a lady-in-waiting to Constança of Castile, who soon after married Pedro. However, Pedro fell in love with Inês de Castro, and the two became involved in a passionate romance.
Despite several attempts by Constança (Pedro's wife) and the king to end their affair, both ignored all obstacles and continued their relationship. Pedro and Inês, despite the distance, remained secretly connected, and as soon as Constança passed away, Pedro immediately brought Inês to the castle, against the king's wishes. This decision, naturally, caused outrage on the king's part.
After the royal advisors refused to allow Pedro and Inês to marry, Pedro fled the court to be with her. In January 1355, the king ordered Inês's death; however, legend has it that, when the moment came, he regretted his decision and attempted to revoke the order. Nevertheless, the three assassins stabbed Inês, ultimately decapitating her, with her children as witnesses. Devastated by the news, Pedro was filled with vengeance and declared civil war, though he was defeated. Yet, in 1357, he ascended to the throne after his father’s death, and one of his first acts was to declare that he and Inês had secretly married, making her the rightful queen even in death, with their children acknowledged as legitimate heirs.
2 - Bruxa Lavandeira
The "Washing Witches," originating in Celtic mythology, were women dressed in white who roamed the villages carrying lights in their hands. They appeared on full moon nights on rooftops, transformed into geese, and were seen by rivers and lakes. According to belief, one could hear them fiercely beating clothes against stones to wash away bloodstains. They were considered omens of death, as in some legends, they appeared before battles, and encountering them was seen as a sign of impending death.
Some popular traditions held that they could never remove the bloodstains from the sheets because it was the blood of their own children, punished for having let them die without baptism. It was also believed that it could be the blood of their husbands.
Today, it is thought that the legends associated with the washing witches served to discourage women from doing laundry after dusk and to prevent villagers from going out at night, keeping them safely at home.
3 - A Ilha dos Amores
“A Ilha dos Amores” is recounted by Luís de Camões in Canto IX and X of Os Lusíadas, where he narrates Venus's desire to reward the Lusitanian heroes with rest, a banquet, and divine pleasures on a paradisiacal island called the Island of Loves. During this banquet, the nymph Sirena sang prophecies about the Portuguese people, including future victories in the East. This legend was a product of Camões's imagination, inspired by Greek literature as well as Arab and Indian legends, aiming to immortalize the Lusitanian heroes.
Nymphs are feminine nature spirits that often embody aspects of various gods and goddesses, characterized by their lightness and delicacy. They inhabit lakes and streams, groves, forests, meadows, and mountains. Although not immortal, nymphs had very long lives and did not age. Benevolent, they favored both men and nature, possessing the gift of seduction, enchantment, and healing.
4 - Anjo de Portugal
It is said that the Angel of Portugal taught two prayers to the shepherd children of Fátima, known as the "Angel's Prayers," which are widely known and are part of Eucharistic devotion. This same angel, also known as the Guardian Angel of Portugal, is recognized as the protector of the Portuguese nation.
The angelic apparitions occurred in 1915, near Cova da Iria, where some supernatural appearances had already taken place. However, it was on a spring day in 1916 that the Angel appeared clearly for the first time. After praying, the children went out to play, and a strong wind shook the trees. At that moment, a beautiful young man, shining like crystal, crossed the rivers in the rays of the sun.
This Guardian Angel also served as a source of comfort and faith in times of battle and despair, both for soldiers and for kings, among others.
5 - Dama- Pé- de -Cabra
The legend of the Lady Goat-Foot tells the story of Dom Diego López, who was hunting in the mountains when he encountered a beautiful woman. He fell in love with her and, assuming, due to her fine clothing, that she belonged to a noble family, he asked for her hand in marriage, despite finding it strange that she had goat’s feet. Enchanted by her beauty, he proposed. She accepted, but with one condition: Dom Diego could not wear the symbol of the cross or bless himself. He agreed, and the two were married.
They lived happily for many years and had two children. One day, after a hunt, Dom Diego rewarded his dog with a large bone; however, his wife’s black mutt killed the dog to take the piece of wild boar. Surprised, Dom Diego blessed himself. The Lady screamed, rose into the air, and left with her daughter through a window. Immediately, he went to confess, and the priest told him that he was under a curse. Not knowing how to help his father, the son decided to search for his mother and sister, who, according to some, had become a fairy, and according to others, a restless spirit.
