The son of emigrants from Arouca, the designer made his Portugal Fashion debut and spoke to JN about his roots, his Paris career and the LVMH Prize final.
Paris is the city where Gabriel Figueiredo was born, raised and built his career, yet it was in Porto that he once again felt at home.
The son of parents originally from Arouca, the designer presented his De Pino label on the Portugal Fashion schedule for the first time on Saturday, at a presentation held at Hotelier in the heart of the city.
His debut comes at a particularly significant point in his career, as he is among the select finalists for the LVMH Prize, one of the most prestigious international awards for emerging fashion designers.
Showing in Portugal carried a meaning that went beyond the professional sphere. The designer says that returning to his parents’ country allowed him to reconnect with a part of his story that remains deeply present. “It is really special because Portugal is a country that is very closely connected to my family and my childhood,” he told JN. At the end, he summed up his feelings about presenting his work to a Portuguese audience in one sentence: “I feel more welcomed, more emotional.”
Between Paris and Arouca
His parents emigrated from Arouca to France in the 1970s, but their connection with the area was never lost. Gabriel Figueiredo still returns to the region regularly, finding there a refuge from the fast pace of international fashion. “It is a really beautiful area. We have the Freita mountain range, the walkways... When I go, it is truly to relax,” he says.
De Pino and Portuguese family heritage
His Portuguese background is also woven into the label’s identity. De Pino takes its name from his grandmother’s surname and reflects his desire to retain that family heritage. Founded in 2020, it stands out for a conceptual language that brings together sophistication and a more relaxed, unexpected side.
The designer says he likes to begin with the image of the elegant, sophisticated Parisian woman, then add “a slightly crazier and more fun touch”, making the garments “less serious” without compromising the precision of the craftsmanship.
From La Cambre to Christian Dior
After graduating in Fashion in 2017 and completing a master’s degree in Fashion Design at La Cambre in Brussels, Gabriel Figueiredo began his professional path at Maison Margiela Artisanal, where he worked with John Galliano and Glenn Martens. In November 2025, he joined Christian Dior’s womenswear atelier as a freelancer.
A decisive moment
Being named a finalist for the LVMH Prize marks another step in his rising career. The winner will be announced on 4 September in Paris and will receive €400,000 along with a one-year mentoring programme within the Louis Vuitton luxury group.
Should he win the award, he already knows what his priority will be. Gabriel currently works alone at De Pino and believes the financial support could take the project to another level. “The €400,000 could change a lot. Perhaps not to create a large team, but to have one or two people working with me. That would make it possible to develop the brand much further,” he concludes.
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