Marta Marques

Marta Marques is a Portuguese fashion designer and the co-founder of the London-based label Marques'Almeida, which she established with Paulo Almeida in 2011. A graduate of Central Saint Martins, she achieved significant industry recognition early in her career, winning the LVMH Prize in 2015. Her work is defined by a collaborative and community-oriented approach, often engaging with 'real' people and street culture rather than traditional fashion hierarchies.

Based between London and Portugal, Marques has been a key figure in the revival of high-end denim, using it as a primary medium for social and aesthetic commentary. Her role in the industry is marked by a commitment to sustainability and ethical production through the brand's 'M'A Manifesto.' She is recognised for her ability to maintain a youthful, authentic energy that resonates with a global audience seeking transparency and creative honesty.

The creative process is driven by a 'quietly defiant' aesthetic that reimagines traditional materials, particularly denim, through a lens of raw energy and authenticity. Formal concerns include the use of raw edges, distressing, and unconventional silhouettes to challenge established notions of luxury and polished dressing. This results in a design language that prioritises youthful energy and a sense of community over traditional industry hierarchies.

Signal found in the work include a recurring commitment to 'real' people in brand storytelling and a focus on transparency in production. The treatment of the body is often relaxed and fluid, suggesting a sense of ease and creative autonomy. This approach reflects a design ethos that values the social impact of fashion, seeking to create garments that are both aesthetically innovative and ethically grounded, resonating with a global audience seeking honesty and personal expression.