Process - Seda e Companhia

At Seda & Companhia

Each creation celebrates the richness of Portuguese craftsmanship, with inspiration from Castelo Branco Embroidery taking center stage. With a unique decorative grammar, shimmering silk threads on linen and motifs such as the Tree of Life, carnations and exotic birds, this embroidery goes beyond ornamentation and acts as a visual narrative of the region’s culture and tradition.

Origin

Each Seda & Companhia piece is born from the rich tradition of Castelo Branco embroidery.

We are inspired by the landscapes, stories and people of this region, creating an intimate link between the past and the present.

Our approach deeply respects the cultural roots of embroidery, while seeking to innovate and adapt this heritage to modern times.

Materials

We value the use of natural materials that guarantee both the quality and sustainability of our creations.

Linen and silk are the pillars of each of our pieces, maintaining the centuries-old tradition of Castelo Branco embroidery.

Linen is used as a canvas on which natural silk thread embroidery is executed. The exclusive natural silk thread embroidery is one of the distinctive and obligatory points of this art.

Artisanal process

The creation process at Seda & Companhia is entirely manual and meticulously carried out to preserve the authenticity of each piece.

From drawing up the design to the last embroidery stitch, each stage is carried out with a careful craftsmanship that ensures the excellence and exclusivity of our products. Here, time is not rushed, but rather an ally that allows the beauty of each detail to be revealed with patience and dedication.

This commitment to handmade results in timeless pieces that transcend passing fashions, celebrating the value of craftsmanship as a form of cultural and artistic expression.

Castelo Branco embroidery

Castelo Branco embroidery, with origins dating back to the 17th century, is one of the richest and most unique expressions of Portuguese craftsmanship.

This type of embroidery is distinguished by the use of silk threads on a linen base and the predominant use of the loose stitch, also known as Castelo Branco stitch.

This technique, which combines Eastern and European influences, allows for the creation of complex patterns rich in symbolism, such as the Tree of Life, exotic birds, carnations, roses, lilies and pomegranates.

The history of Castelo Branco embroidery is also the history of a tradition that has stood the test of time.

Originally produced in workshop contexts, these embroideries have evolved over the centuries, acquiring their own characteristics that have definitively associated them with the city of Castelo Branco. In the 20th century, figures such as Piedade Mendes and institutions like the Oficina da Mocidade Portuguesa Feminina contributed to their preservation and development, ensuring that this technique remained a vital part of Portugal’s cultural heritage.

Today, Castelo Branco embroidery is recognized as a certified traditional craft production, listed in the National Register of Certified Traditional Craft Productions. By adopting this technique as the basis for inspiring its creations, Seda & Companhia not only honours tradition, but also revitalizes it, bringing it into contemporary everyday life through garments, bags and accessories.

Each hand-embroidered piece is a testament to Portugal’s rich culture and the skill of the hands that created it, transforming everyday objects into true works of art.