Long before the Portuguese colourful-sock brand RODILHA® was created in January 2020, a concept had already been bubbling in its founder’s mind: the search for the “perfect rodilha”, born from the unique blend of rags, cloths, fabrics and colourful knits. RODILHA® seen as fragments of colour which, in austere (at times overdone) settings, could cast a play of light over the faded black-and-white tones that say little or nothing about who we are. RODILHA® envisaged as something that can help shoulder the responsibilities of our day-to-day lives and even the weight we carry on our heads, easing the burden of the formalities and demands society places on us. The Portugalidade collection is a case in point, presenting a mix of icons from popular culture and architectural heritage—such as the Viana do Castelo heart and Portuguese azulejo tilework—brought together on a pair of high-quality, comfortable socks. The rodilha—this handcrafted article, an object from another time and a symbol of the strength and resilience of Portuguese women—which fell out of use, has been “reclaimed” by this Portuguese brand that manufactures in, and draws inspiration from, Portugal.
