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Portuguese Lighting: With more than 17 years of history, how was Mambo born and what led to its creation?
Isabel Torres: It's a long and complex story, but perhaps I can summarize it in those factors that were decisive for the creation of Mambo.
In fact, I always had a strong desire to have my own brand where I could explore my aesthetic. The marketing and management knowledge that I acquired in my first commercial activity as a product manager in a multinational, as well as my travels, which I began to do early on, especially in the southern hemisphere, helped me launch the first collection of rugs. I designed the rugs and then had them produced in India, at a time without internet.
As it went well, I resigned and created Mambo.
PL: The company presents several brands to the market, describe each of them a little.
IT: The first and oldest brand, Mambo Unlimited Ideas, operated until a certain time as a LAB, where we designed and produced products to test on the market. Maybe that's why we've always had great freedom in aesthetic expression. We fearlessly dared in unusual shapes, colors and materials, but we never strayed from our DNA. The lamps we were creating, as well as the ceramics, were so successful that they gained space to become individual brands. Thus, UTU Lamps was born, whose dominant element is the use of color. Today it has more than 80 references, where each item can use more than 4 colors.
Theia Tiles has a strong concept, we manufacture using ancient processes with an innovative three-dimensional design for use in cladding.
Finally, Dooq Details was born from a need to create "art pieces" with our aesthetics without worrying about costs.
PL: And the mentors? Tell us a little about your journey and what motivated you to embark on this adventure.
IT: When Claudia Melo finished her degree in Product Design, she traveled for 1 year and when she returned she was full of ideas. It was with her arrival that we created the first furniture collection, which ended up being a success because it was so different. Our inspirations were the 60s, at a time when furniture was straight, boring and made of wengue wood.
Leonor graduated in Fashion Design in London and spent 7 years between Antwerp and Florence working in the sector. Her arrival brought us a lot of innovation, both in the work methodology and in the deconstructive ideas that perfectly fit our DN.
PL: How do you describe design and the market in Portugal today?
IT: It's been worse, many brands with no concept have appeared, all the same, disorganized, but now I think there is greater maturity in national design.
" ... we definitely want to be more involved, healthier and be able to contribute, even if little, to a better world. "