Discover Zalda, Fashion’s Rebel With a Cause

Esmeralda Dias, also known as Zalda, was one of the five finalists in a national eco-design competition while she was completing her degree in Fashion Design at ESAD in 2021. Following her studies, she secured an internship and worked for a brand that showcased at Portugal Fashion Week, simultaneously taking on side jobs at a photography studio.

Eager to pursue her ambitions independently, she launched her brand, Zalda, and quickly found herself in the finals of the Bloom Contest in October 2022, which recognizes emerging fashion designers.

Since then, her brand has experienced continuous growth within the Portuguese underground scene, allowing her to remain in her hometown with an upgraded and larger studio. In this space, she hosts events that connect creative individuals from her area, fostering collaboration to help each other reach a broader audience and embrace their most authentic artistic selves.

The brand Zalda is perceived as an alter-ego of a community. Through acts of disobedience, progress is achieved in the context of the digital era. This philosophy is reflected in the designs, which embrace a trashy streetwear aesthetic, stemming from a focus on multifunctionality and technological understanding rooted in sustainability and zero-waste practices.

The collections feature an abundance of hidden pockets, versatile transforming pieces, reversible items, manual prints, and garments crafted from waste, all while emphasizing a clean interior and concise yet impactful messages that resonate with the values of its wearers.

The most recent drop exemplifies a simpler approach compared to previous releases. It includes various colorways of t-shirts emblazoned with the brand’s logo in a death metal-style font, accompanied by the phrase “É Sobre a Cultura” (“It’s all about the culture”).

This collection is designed for those who wish to purchase from the brand while still capturing its true essence, but may not be able to afford the more exclusive or intricate items.

About the new drop, Esmeralda says: “The pressure to please shallow metrics can make many lose sight of what truly matters. The relentless pursuit of trends, viral content, and what sells can easily dilute the essence of art. The problem doesn’t lie within the act of selling, but in forgetting the reason why we create: the authentic expression of ideas, stories, and emotions that add value to others. I create because I need to because culture demands it. After all, stories need to be told.

For those who create, the sentence “It’s all about the culture.” is a reminder that the focus of a true artist doesn’t lie in profit or followers, but in the commitment to create in order of something greater than oneself and in how the creations resonate with those who receive it on the other end. For those who consume said art, the sentence “It’s all about the culture.” is a reminder not to let go of us.”