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Backstage at BUZINA AW23 at ModaLisboa Core

A retrospective journey, in essence

When we approach the “core” of something, we get to its central and most essential part. It is the stable foundation of something that supports all that was and is yet to come. With her FW23 collection, and in keeping with the theme for this year’s ModaLisboa, Buzina invites us to look simultaneously at the brand’s past and future—to reach its core.

Photography by Diogo dos Santos
Beauty by Antonia Rosa and team with Clarins
Hair by Helena Vaz Pereira and team at Griffe Hair Style with L´Oréal Profissional Paris

Words and interview by Fernanda Russomano

As we move through life, we carry with us the memories of our past experiences. Like a patchwork quilt, our lives are made up of moments both big and small, all of which contribute to our singular essences. Looking into Buzina’s essence, inspired by its evolution throughout the years, designer Vera Fernandes presented her collection titled “Splice” during the third day of ModaLisboa. ZOOT caught up with the designer after the show to learn the story behind Buzina’s FW23 collection.

Because Buzina has been growing and reinventing itself with every new step, it’s gaining attraction from new people and I thought it was important to show these people where Buzina came from.
— Vera Fernandes

Reviving silhouettes and a giraffe print from one of her past collections, “Splice” is a retrospective journey of Buzina. With its signature oversized shapes with voluminous ruffled elements, this collection brought colour-blocking looks in viscose, taffeta and satin. Though known for playing with different hues, the designer worked with colours she hadn’t delved into before, creating a palette full of bright and almost neon colours.

Big puffer sleeves composed elaborated wide silhouettes that still enhanced the female body. Oversized bows embellished looks as they tied cuffs, fastened tops or adorned the model’s neck. Flared and puffer hems added a romantic touch to contemporary cuts, resulting in a collection of two-tone and monochromatic looks that fully depict the essence of Buzina—to its core.

The new elements in this collection are the neon colours which hadn’t happened before in any previous collection. The giraffes had already happened but it was in a more subtle and peaceful way, and this time I wanted to use strong colours to create new sensations.
— Vera Fernandes