Timeline
The story of A Vida Portuguesa (The Portuguese Life) unfolds as we rediscover and recreate the very best of Portuguese production. Based on a traditional know-how that has been passed through generations, involving a great deal of handwork and keeping their old style packages. Designed by and for the Portuguese, they continue to speak to our hearts. This is a story of respect for those who sell, who purchase and the goods that are traded. We like to call it "delicate trade".
May, 2007
The brand A Vida Portuguesa is born, replacing A Casa Portuguesa brand
The Lisbon shop opens in the Chiado neighbourhood: 11 Rua Anchieta
June, 2007
The ceramic swallows, using the original Rafael Bordallo Pinheiro molds, are relaunched as an A Vida Portuguesa exclusive
The "Sticking Swallows" created by A Vida Portuguesa are launched
Eight vintage Viarco pencil packages ("Watercolour", "Girl with Doll", "Boys with Balls Soap," "Boys With Cat," "Boys and Sheep") are relaunched as an exclusive A Vida Portuguesa
September, 2007
Secla Vintage line of mugs and jugs is launched
October, 2007
Voted one of "10 most original shops in town" by Time Out Lisbon
November, 2008
A Vida Portuguesa line is expanded with exclusive products:
A collection of 15 Confiança Soaps "Confident Portuguese"
"Lisbon by Night" 3 soap box by Ach Brito
A Vida Portuguesa notepad by Serrote
May, 2009
A Vida Portuguesa is a Mercury Prize Finalist in "Best Trade" New Concepts
September, 2009
A corner with a selection of A Vida Portuguesa products opens in Casa das Histórias - Paula Rego Museum
November, 2009
The Porto shop opens in the Clérigos neighbourhood (downtown), in partnership with Ach. Brito
The online shop opens, selling to the world, in partnership with Feitoria
The Exclusive Collection of Six Emílio Braga Notebooks is launched
December, 2009
Monocle magazine names Catarina Portas one of its "Heroes" for 2010, worldwide people who "deserve a bigger stage"
April, 2010
A Vida Portuguesa in Porto is the first Portuguese shop to join Wallpaper's Magazine Retail Directory, a selection of 22 worldwide shops, listing "the Year's Most Innovative Retail Design Discoveries"
Retail for the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) of both New York (USA) and Tokyo (Japan), supplying different products for the project "Destination Portugal"
Retail of ceramic swallows fot the Portuguese Pavilion in the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai, China
June, 2010
The first temporary store, A Vida Republicana (The Republican Life) opens as a part of the exhibition "Long live the Republic!" (within the Celebrations of the Portuguese Republic Centenary) in Lisbon.
Exclusive "Republic" products are launched: an Ach. Brito Soap, a CRERE Republican Bust, a Republican moustache for young customers, a 5th of October commemorative plaque and a selection of themed stamps
Throughout the summer two more A Vida Republicana stores opened in Terreiro do Paço square
January, 2011
Wallpaper magazine names Catarina Portas one of the "bright young things" shaping the future
December, 2012
A Vida Portuguesa is one if the 15 brands selected worldwide to be a part of the Monocle Christmas Market in London.
"Delicious Chocolate for Tourists" is launched, from a partnership between A Vida Portuguesa and Regina, recovering charming old labels with illustrations from the Estoril and "Sunny Coast".
October, 2013
Opening of the Home Ware shop in Largo do Intendente, Lisbon. We fulfill the dream of broadening our offer, and range of suppliers, to the home department.
November, 2014
Opening of new store
October 2015
The Design Office within A Vida Portuguesa, created to produce more exclusives for the brand is founded with Kathi Stertzig and Álbio Nascimento.
October 2016
A Vida Portuguesa opened a new store in Lisbon, at number 2 Rua Ivens, in the Chiado area.