We were lucky to catch up with Margarida Curto recently and have shared our conversation below.

Margarida, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

My parents undeniably wield the greatest influence over my life and career. Growing up, they always made the possible and impossible happen for me to have what I needed and to have the most amazing experiences and opportunities, even though most of the time we were struggling. Their resilience and determination taught me to always fight for my goals and dreams. Despite the daunting challenges inherent in building a career and launching a business, my parents never once suggested giving up or seeking an alternative path. They always support me, their encouragement has been my rock, and I am profoundly grateful for them and know how lucky I am. Even now with Curto, my parents are still my biggest supporters, and I have no doubt that will stay the same.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Margarida Curto. I am 26 years old and I’m from a small town in Portugal. Since I can remember, I’ve always wanted to be a Fashion Designer and dreamed of having my own brand. So, all my life, I worked to obtain my degree in Fashion Design, and once I achieved it, I started my business, Curto. Although Fashion Design was always my first choice, I also had a love for Psychology. During college, I began therapy, which made me realize that I used the creative process of designing a collection as a form of therapy and a way to express my feelings, thoughts, and beliefs. My collection became a form of therapy and a medium for me to share my life experiences.
Curto is exactly that – a fashion brand that values the creative process, transparency, and vulnerability. The collections are inspired by and reflect my experiences, thoughts, memories, and feelings, as well as the importance of mental health and art.
The three key words I use to describe Curto are Protection, Comfort, and Confidence, because that’s how I feel when making the clothes and what I hope people feel when wearing them.”

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I don’t have a specific story that demonstrates my resilience, but I believe anyone who starts a business and pursues their dreams and goals has to be resilient, especially when starting from scratch. Of course, it pays off and is amazing, but it’s also incredibly difficult. There are moments when you may contemplate giving up, but you persist because it’s your dream. However, this doesn’t negate the struggles that arise along the way. Once you decide to embark on starting your business and chasing your dreams, you are already resilient, and you have no choice but to continue being so.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

The major struggle of starting my business was exactly that, and honestly, it still is. I didn’t have a good initial capital to start; I worked part-time at a restaurant, and once I had enough money to purchase the fabrics, I started the first collection. It’s very challenging not to have a comfortable amount to begin with because every profit you make has to be reinvested almost entirely for your business to grow. It’s really hard to start from scratch, but I believe it’s possible and truly rewarding.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.curtostudios.com
• Instagram: @curto_____

Image Credits
Model: Sofia Martins Photography: Margarida Santos Gonçalo Ferreira