Bordado da Madeira | BÉHEN x BORDAL

Date: 30 May | 10.30 am to 1.00 pm
Cost per person per session: €45 ( includes a kit of materials )
Location: DEPOZITO store
Address: Rua Nova do Desterro, 21, Lisboa

When registering for the workshop, please select ‘In-store collection – Depozito’ so that no delivery charges are applied.

About the workshop:BÉHEN and BORDAL invite you to take part in this workshop dedicated to one of Portugal’s most iconic forms of embroidery. BORDAL, a leading figure in the preservation of this heritage since 1962, brings the finest of Madeiran craftsmanship to the Depósito venue.
During the session, the fundamental stitches that distinguish Madeira embroidery will be introduced. Each participant will have the opportunity to learn or perfect six different stitches using the official BORDAL kit, which includes a cotton handkerchief, the printed pattern, needles and threads.
BÉHEN will accompany this experience, presenting the brand’s contemporary approach to this technique, sharing the creative process and how it transforms traditional motifs for a modern context, as well as the collaboration with BORDAL that gave rise to the installation presented at this edition of Lisbon Design Week.

About BÉHEN: BÉHEN is a design studio dedicated to the preservation and evolution of Portuguese Intangible Heritage. Founded by Joana Duarte, the brand acts as a bridge between ancestral savoir-faire and contemporary design, collaborating with artisans across Portugal to translate traditional handwork into a modern visual language.
The studio’s research focuses on protecting local craft knowledge through intentional design. Since its foundation, BÉHEN has worked directly with artisanal communities in Madeira, the Azores (Terceira, São Miguel, and São Jorge), Glória do Ribatejo, Nisa, Viana do Castelo, and Arraiolos. By engaging with techniques ranging from hand-embroidery and domestic needlework to weaving and tinwork, the studio experiments with new applications, materials, and scales, unlocking the contemporary potential of these traditions while ensuring their essence remains intact.
BÉHEN’s work has garnered significant acclaim, most recently in 2026 with the “Textile, Artisanat & Savoir-Faire” Award, supported by Sandro Paris and Maison Mode Méditerranée. Other distinctions include the 2022 Golden Globe for Fashion Personality of the Year in Portugal and the 2021 AWE Female Entrepreneurship Prize from the U.S. Embassy. This commitment to heritage extends into the performing arts through an extensive body of work in costume design. BÉHEN has created costumes for the Teatro Nacional D. Maria II in productions such as Casa Portuguesa and A Farsa de Inês Pereira (directed by Pedro Penim), as well as for Auto das Anfitriãs by Pedro Baptista and Inês Vaz, and the play Prometo-me moderna a partir de Frankenstein, directed by Alice Azevedo. Through these collaborations, BÉHEN continues to integrate Portuguese craftsmanship into the heart of contemporary narrative and performance.

About Bordal: Founded in 1962, Bordal is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Madeira Embroidery, one of the most known Portuguese artisanal crafts.
Under the leadership of Susana and João Vacas for over two decades, Bordal has established itself as a piece of living heritage. It remains one of the last active production units and is the only factory in Madeira open to visitors. Here, tradition and innovation coexist, preserving ancestral techniques while exploring new approaches to contemporary design.
In addition to its traditional collections, Bordal has been developing new creative languages through design, fashion, and art. By collaborating with artists and brands, the company showcases Madeira Embroidery in prestigious national and international contexts, from Paris and Brussels to Osaka.
More than just preserving the past, Bordal seeks to ensure a future for this unique craft, projecting it toward new generations and new creative territories.

Minimum number of participants per session — 5
Maximum number of participants per session — 10
Ages — 18 and over

Confirmation of attendance must be sent by email up to 2 days prior to the workshop, along with proof of participation.

If the workshop does not take place, a refund will be issued using the same payment method.

Cancellation/Refund Policy: Participants who, for any reason, are unable to attend the workshop and wish to request a refund must notify us of their cancellation at least 10 days prior to the workshop date.