Sustainable Style in Funchal: Pioneering Upcycling with “Botão Solidário” vintage shop

In the scenic city of Funchal, Madeira, an innovative movement in sustainable fashion and furniture is thriving under the guidance of Carolina Homem de Brederode. With over two decades as an architect with the Funchal City Council and a significant tenure at SocioHabitaFunchal, Carolina has shifted her focus to addressing the tangible needs of families through her unique initiatives: the Solidarity Workshop "Oficina Solidária" and "Botão Solidário" vintage shop in the center of Funchal.

"I’ve been with the Funchal City Council as an architect for 21 years, spending 18 of those at SocioHabitaFunchal, where I worked on social housing projects.

In 2013, noticing that many families struggled to furnish their social homes, I kick-started the Solidarity Workshop and the "Botão Solidário" social shop to meet these needs.

Since then, due to economic and political shifts, no new architecture projects came up at SocioHabitaFunchal, so I’ve been pouring my heart into these two initiatives!"

Who or what has been your biggest influence in your upcycling and fashion career?

The internet has been a game-changer for me—it's where I learned everything. Beyond that, my personal taste, sense of aesthetics, and color sensitivity, possibly influenced by my background in architecture, play a significant role.

Do you have a favorite piece you’ve restored? Could you tell us about it?

There are many, especially in furniture! One standout would be the denim sofa, a testament to the skilled craftsmanship of our upholsterer, Marco, who brings my ideas to life beautifully. This sofa has become the signature piece of our Vintage social shop "Botão Solidario" in Rua das Pretas, 55.

What role do you think recycling and vintage stores play in promoting sustainable fashion?

They are crucial, especially knowing how polluting the textile industry is.

In Portugal, particularly in Madeira, the second-hand culture isn't very prevalent, which is why we launched the Vintage store.

It's a clean, spacious place with lots of light, pleasant music, and nearly new garments to help dissolve any stigma around second-hand shopping. Interestingly, 80% of our clientele are foreign tourists, where this culture is more ingrained.

Do you have any exciting future plans or projects you’d like to share? Are there any workshops or educational programs you offer to teach others about recycling and sustainable fashion?

Following my involvement in the "REColour Anti-Voque "project, I’ve had the opportunity to educate young people on global consumption, pollution, and production realities to spread awareness.

We've also explored various clothing reuse techniques like Tie Dye, demonstrating that transforming old clothes into colorful, wearable fashion can also inspire young entrepreneurs to start their businesses. I'm always eager to learn new techniques and share my knowledge with others.