POP CULTURE! Issue

During the last edition of Fashionclash Festival Maastricht 2015, for the very first
time, KALTBLUT hosted the KALTBLUT Magazine Fashion Award 2015. We are
proud to introduce you to the winner: Patrick De Pádua. The Portugal based designer
is one of the biggest talents in the fashion world at the moment. His designs are
outstanding and incredibly well made. I had a little chat with Patrick about his work,
Portugal and why he loves to design for boys. Special thanks to the team of Trend me
too and the models for the amazing editorial.
Hello Patrick. During the last Fashionclash in
Maastricht you won the very first KALTBLUT
fashion Award. Congratulations again. Do you still
remember that day and how you felt when you won?
Hello Marcel. Oh yes, I remember every second
from that day. From 6am in the morning till 9pm we
rehearsed the show, fittings and some sleep in between.
It was a really long day. I was so nervous. It was my first
time in Maastricht and first time I presented an AW
Collection in the Netherlands. The award show was
next day. And when the host called my name I could
not believe it and my friends told me: Patrick, you are
the winner. I was soo happy but all was over so quickly.
Your collections are very modern and fresh. One of
the reasons why you won in Maastricht is that we
can take the collection straight from the runway and
hang it in the shops. And the people will buy it. How
would you describe your brand?
Urban, young, athletic, fashionable fashion and finally
brave, you have to be brave and self-assured. To wear
my designs you need to be strong. I sell a lifestyle.
Your fashion is more for the boys but I also see some
strong girls into your collection. Why the focus on
menswear?
I cannot really explain why I am so focused on
menswear. In general, it is easier to represent men. And
here in Portugal 70% of the fashion labels are designing
for the girls. During my time at fashion school I
designed for girls first but during the years I felt my
designs are stronger for men.
Could you tell us a little about your background?
I know you are not a native of Portugal. How did
Patrick De Pádua grow up?
I was born in Liechtenstein and lived there for 12 years
before I returned to Portugal. The first couple of years
were a bit difficult for me because I could not speak
Portuguese but I would never go back now.
Have you always wanted to do fashion? And can you
100
still remember your first self-designed piece? What
was it, and for whom?
No, I always wanted to be a cook. In fact, I studied
for 2 years in Faro (Algarve) as a cook but I found it
a bit boring and then I trained for 3 years as a fashion
designer in Lisboa at school (MODATEX).
In your designs I see London, New York and Berlin.
I see guys in big cities wearing your collections.. But
how much of Portugal´s history can I find in your
work?
I am not traditional. As you know I am not 100% from
Portugal. We have so many designers here working with
the history that we do not need another one.
During the last ModaLisboa edition you unveiled
the SS16 collection. I love this one. What was your
inspiration for that one?
The pursuit of peace and tranquility are the theme
for this collection dominated by white and neon
green. Silence is a reflection, born in a prison. There
is a reference to a peaceful valley, a moment of
introspection, to a retreat. As always, a sportswear
/ streetwear collection inspired in the 90s baseball
equipment is emphasizing on a sporty silhouette with a
feeling of lightness, freedom and comfort.
I love the color theme. It is just perfect for the
upcoming spring/summer season. Tell us more about
the materials you have used.
It is my first spring/summer collection ever. In the
beginning it was not easy for me to design it. So I
thought .... let´s do it a little bit fresher with many
layers and lightweight fabric and that was my starting
point for my research for the materials. Polyester, cotton
and light-colored leather, those are never missing in my
collection. I wanted to do something I had never done
before and not only a collection of “white”.
Where do you find your materials in Portugal? Do
you buy it in Lisbon or do you have to travel for it?
Yes all my materials are from Portugal. Most of the time
I buy it in the North of Portugal.
The new SS16 collection got a lot of attention at
ModaLisboa. I guess it was a successful event for
you?
Patrick: Oh yes! I just sold the entire collection. And I
am very proud of being part of ModaLisboa.
How important is an event like ModaLisboa or
Fashionclash Maastricht for a young fashion brand?
I think it is very very important to be part of it. For us
here in Portugal ModaLisboa is THE event each fashion
season. We can present our designs to the international
press, bloggers and buyers. And without ModaLisboa I
would not be invited to other fashion weeks or I would
not teach fashion at two different fashion schools.
How important is social media nowadays for a young
label like yours?
It is a big part of the fashion world but I think the most
important part are the buyers. All the social media
clicks are not paying the bills. For sure it is great to see
my brand going around in the social media world. But
it is not my main focus.