porto collection

Imagine waking up in a city where there are no sky scrapers or straight roads. Instead, you see colorful buildings stacked right next to each other and crooked, uneven roads filled with tables, musicians, artists, and the nicest people you will ever meet. There are fruit trees next to your bedroom window, so you pick an orange and a kiwi for breakfast. You walk down the hill to a river and see bright yellow boats coming in, and restaurants serving fresh fish and bread. There are colors and culture everywhere and it reminds you of a place you have dreamed of, but never visited. It sparks a nostalgia for a time that has never happened, and you wish you could never leave.

This pattern collection is inspired by Porto, a fishing town in Portugal, that I have visited twice and I still can't get enough.

Porto Inspiration

When I visited Porto, it felt like I was in a dream. It is a good thing I took pictures, or I would have never remembered or been able to believe all of the small details. Portugal in general has such rich history, you can’t walk ten feet without learning something. Porto is known for their Port Wine, made from grapes grown in the Douro Valley. They are transported on boats through the Douro River. The city and culture of Porto thrive on the waters around it, and there are so many details to take in.

Color Palette

After going through all of my photos, I pulled out several colors that jumped out at me. I have sourced their Pantone names and numbers. I specifically wanted rich primary colors, red, blue and yellow. Then I pulled in some pastels and a few neutrals.

Motifs

Along with the color palette, I wanted to create a nautical theme with a bit of Porto history. I am combining several dominant motifs to pull together my vision.

Garment Showcase

I chose a few of the patterns to be printed at Spoonflower. I love to sew and I was itching to have a piece of Porto for my wardrobe. I made a blue floral fitted shirt with half sleeves and a ruched neckline. I chose the pink oranges print for the flowy wrap dress with a side tie.