The Beginning of the Adventure on Rua França Júnior
20 Years… I can't believe it's been 20 years since I started this adventure. My passion for fashion has been with me since I was little, and I think that's due to family influences, as I am the daughter and goddaughter of talented seamstresses. From an early age, I would pick up a pencil and paper and design my own outfits, putting my creativity and love for the world of fashion into practice.
It was in 2003 that a unique opportunity arose: to open a small shop of just 18 m2 on Rua França Júnior, in Matosinhos. Despite being a narrow, one-way street with no parking, it was there that I planted the seeds of the success I reap today. I worked hard to win over customers and make friends, creating a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere in the shop.
In that initial phase, I learned a lot about what people were looking for in terms of fashion and style. I listened carefully to customers' needs and desires and tried to bring in pieces that fit each one's taste.
This attention to detail and to the customer was one of the hallmarks of the "Carla Valente" store from the beginning.
Expansion and First Fashion Shows
The following year, almost next door to the first store, we found an incredible opportunity: a 120 m2 space! We moved and expanded our horizons, also including men's fashion in our catalog. At that time, we had the audacity to be the first store to organize a fashion show. My goodness, what an adventure! It was at a Quinta in Penafiel, at the invitation of a friend of the store. We invited customers and friends to participate, and the event was a success, surrounded by much love and support from everyone.
Hairdressers offered to do our hair, make-up artists to do our make-up, and we even had people helping us with the decoration of the space and photography. It was a unique and very special moment that I hold in my heart. In the following three years, we continued to hold fashion shows, always with great public participation and much success. These events helped to solidify our brand and bring even more visibility to the store.
During this period, we also developed partnerships with local and international suppliers, always looking to bring the best fashion pieces and trends to our customers. The store became a point of reference for those looking for unique and quality clothing and accessories.
Overcoming Challenges and New Directions
Unfortunately, in 2008, the economic crisis hit the country and also affected our business. Rua França Júnior was no longer enough to keep the store open, even with our differentiated and creative proposal. But I have never been one to give up and decided to look for a new space in Matosinhos.
That's how I found our current address, at Rua Brito Capelo 984, in Matosinhos Sul. A busy and main street, where I was sure that our story would continue to be written with success and hard work. And what a story it has been!
The move to Rua Brito Capelo brought new challenges and opportunities. The store gained greater visibility and began to attract an even more diverse public. We continue to hold events always with the aim of promoting fashion and providing unforgettable moments for our customers and friends.
In this new space, we were also able to expand our range of products and services, offering image consultancy, personal shopping and the possibility of ordering exclusive pieces. Our commitment has always been to provide a unique and personalized experience to each customer, and this has only become stronger over the years.
20 Years of "Carla Valente" and the Future
Today, as we celebrate 20 years of existence, the "Carla Valente" store is the result of much dedication, love for fashion and, above all, an immense desire to make our customers feel special and unique. I thank everyone who has been part of this incredible journey and I hope to continue to share many happy and successful moments with you.
Looking to the future, we want to continue to innovate and surprise our customers with the latest fashion trends, always maintaining the quality and personalized service that characterizes us. We also intend to explore new ways of interacting with the public, through social media, so that our brand reaches more and more people.
The story of the "Carla Valente" store is a story of passion, dedication and overcoming challenges. In these 20 years, we have been through ups and downs, but we never stopped believing in our dream.
Thank you to everyone who has accompanied us on this journey, and here's to another 20 years of achievements and accomplishments!
If it's Carla Valente, it's fashion!
