It was in July 1982 that António Manuel de Sousa, a native of Porto, saw a business opportunity in the textile industry. “I didn’t have a special taste for this area, but after 1975 the ties practically disappeared, many companies closed due to economic difficulties and I realized that I could create something new,” the founder of Vandoma begins by explaining to the Observer.
At a time when Porto only had four reference stores in this type of accessories, commanded by merchants who traveled to London and Paris in search of inspiration, traditional commerce was still timid and little explored. “In Lisbon there was a lot, but here not so much. I remember seeing windows in Rua de Santa Catarina practically the same for five years, people didn’t even bet on the lights and the city lived a lot from those who came from the outskirts, such as Trofa, Vila do Conde, Póvoa de Varzim, Braga, Barcelos or Guimarães, to go shopping.
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Source: Observadora
