French Connections - Isadora

Isadora Limare

is a French designer living in Lisbon, creating bags that are modular, customisable and responsible. Ethical, Beautiful & Practical

hy Lisbon?

Lisbon has all the advantages of an international capital city, but above all, it is close to nature.

During the week, I am fed by this city in emulation, bathed in culture, events and activities, where I can meet and exchange with lots of entrepreneurs full of ideas. It’s a great city to live in, its people and sunshine make you smile all year round and you feel safe. I love its architecture and its gastronomy; you can enjoy it with your eyes and your taste buds.

On weekends, it’s like going on vacation! I go to Caparica and enjoy the beauty of its miles of beach. It is magnificent. There are plenty of beach clubs, each with a different soul and concept. You swim in the icy water and warm up under the sun while waiting for the sunset with live music, and it often ends in the evening. It’s the good life and there is a real openness, full of benevolence!

Beyond this unique lifestyle, the other reason is professional, since my production is located in Porto, three hours from Lisbon, which allows me to be closer to my partners and to be flexible in my creation.

“For me, the secret to that perfect, casual French style is that it’s all in the attitude!”

Have you always been interested in style and fashion?

Yes, from a very young age thanks to a very elegant mother who was not afraid to be remarkable! With a style that was always impeccable, original and often colourful, she was always imposing and always with class. She used to take me with her to the greatest fashion designers who took care of her fittings, like Alaia, Jean Paul Gaultier and my best memories are with the unique Thierry Mugler, my idol. All three have in

common the genius and the talent to have valued the woman by creating superb armors allowing them to express their empowerment! I think that’s what inspired me to create my PRYSM collection, which has a graphic look mixing Art Deco and the 80s. I imagined bold, playful and acidic, candy-coloured design pieces.

How was your brand born?

While studying business, I launched a collection of ‘young designers’ for the Galeries Lafayette with a friend, and that’s when it all started.

After spending over 10 years in the media, and having experienced the incredible evolution of digital, I missed the creative aspect. I wanted to become an entrepreneur, so I launched myself into the world of leather goods which was unknown to me but I had my convictions.

First of all, I considered that the handbag was not only an important accessory for women, a companion that almost never leaves her, but that it should therefore go beyond aesthetics, to bring indispensable functional and practical innovations. I knew that for many women what matters most is to carry a bag with a prestigious signature. But, I had another plan: to design bags that are beautiful, of course, but also offer bags that could adapt to their pluralistic lifestyle and style.

Three Musts in Lisbon

 Isadora Limare Showroom

I just opened my showroom in Alcantara, two mins from LX Factory. Come and discover my collection and its unique concept: modularity and marine leather. Also, exclusive pieces of the UPCYCLING collection; it is the only place where you will find these unique pieces. It made me much more reckless and adventurous, showing me that anything is possible if you give yourself the means.

NYC is my heart city, it gave me one of my most beautiful years! I love to go back there and meet my friends from 20 years ago.

 Go a Lisboa!

Also in Alcantara, my neighbourhood, this beautiful rooftop, open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. A welcome as if you were at home! The programme evolves during the day, and the seasons. Start with a yoga class, super fresh and healthy juices. You’ll also find a co-working space, live music every day, revisited cocktails seen nowhere else and a delicious menu with refined and quality products.

 CASA REIA

The newest place in Caparica is a sublime beach club with a high-quality decoration perfectly fitting within nature. Their concept is about sharing experiences and respecting nature. With workshops to learn how to live better, together and a very healthy and gourmet food, with a menu created by my favourite chef here Udi Barkan. Bali is a special destination because it has inspired and guided me twice. The first time when I left the media and advertising world. I didn’t know then exactly what to do and that’s where the idea of creating my brand came.

What makes your bags special?

I have chosen a design that plays with conventions. Behind this aesthetic I like to propose what I call playful modularity. The MINI PRYSM, can be worn in more than seven different ways! I use Marine Leather, a material that is part of my innovations. In the midst of introspection on my consumption, I also wanted to propose ethical and sustainable materials, like Maritime Leather. The skins (salmon, perch, sea bass) that I use come from the food industry and are then recycled into luxury products. The final treatment of the fish skin brings chic, glamour and originality. It is a surprising material that beyond its multiple appearances is surprisingly very solid, thin and flexible.

What is it like to be an entrepreneur ‘abroad’?

It is inevitably a little more adventurous, with additional challenges. You don’t have the same points of reference. You have to know how to adapt constantly, but it is also enriching. My dream and my ambition are to build a strong and autonomous team, which allows me the luxury to travel all over the world to draw my inspiration and to be involved mainly in the creation.

Any turning points in your life?

Travels made me evolve by opening my mind and bringing me new perspectives. I spent six months in Madrid and almost a year in New York.

Then after four frantic years , I decided to leave, alone, and head to Bali. I went on a spiritual retreat, discovered the local handicrafts, and took new inspirations. I stayed for eight months. That’s when I chose to move to Lisbon. This city makes me want to get involved in even more concrete actions for nature, “We are the only masters of our especially for the preservation of the oceans. destiny so, be realistic and expect YOUR miracles.” Words of wisdom? Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

What is your personal style?

I don’t have just one, I have many. That’s how the idea of having a multifunctional bag that would adapt to my life moments, but also to my different personalities and styles, was born. And I’m addressing the multi-faceted women, the ‘wonder women’ of our generation, who oscillate between their roles as mom, businesswoman, sportswoman, and many others, by offering them a bag, in their image: multi-faceted. Follow Isadora @isadoralimare Rua Maria Luisa Holstein 15 - 1300-388 - Lisbon Floor 1 - Room 10 By appointment contact@isadoralimare.com, WApp +33614647957