May 2025 | DESIGN & INTERIORS
JULIE DE HALLEUX:
the CREATIVE MIND BEHIND LBD
Now in its fifth year, Lisbon by Design (LBD) has established itself as one of Portugal’s most thoughtful and distinctive design fairs, celebrating local craftsmanship, contemporary creativity, and slow design values. We spoke to Julie de Halleux, founder and curator of the fair, about the vision behind the event, its evolving identity, and what sets it apart from the European design scene.
What inspired you to launch Lisbon by Design? Can you tell us about the original idea behind the fair and what gap you saw in Portugal’s creative scene?
I’ve always loved visiting design fairs abroad—they were a great source of inspiration. When I moved to Portugal, I realized there was a real gap: so many incredibly talented artisans and designers were creating beautiful work, but they didn’t have the visibility they deserved, especially internationally. I felt it was both necessary and exciting to create a platform that could highlight these talents and give them the stage they lacked. What felt unique was the idea of asking each participant to produce new, one-of-a-kind pieces specifically for the fair. That creative challenge became central to the DNA of Lisbon by Design.
IT’S NOT A COMMERCIAL SHOWROOM
How would you describe the spirit and identity of Lisbon by Design? What makes it different from other design fairs in Europe?
What makes Lisbon by Design truly different is that every piece presented is made in Portugal—and made for the fair. It’s not a commercial showroom; it’s a curated, immersive experience where each designer is present, engaging directly with the public. We don’t work with many galleries—most of the participants are the creators themselves. This fosters a real sense of authenticity and exchange. You can feel the soul in each room. To my knowledge, there’s no other fair quite like it in Europe.
Now in its fifth year, how has the fair evolved since its early editions?
It has evolved into a real platform. What began as a design fair has become a space where connections are made—between designers and collectors, architects, real estate developers, and international journalists. I’m proud to say we now attract visitors from abroad who come specifically for the fair. We’ve also expanded beyond the annual event: we organize monthly studio visits in Lisbon, allowing people to go behind the scenes, understand the creative process, and meet the designers in their own environments.
CURATION IS AT THE HEART OF LISBON BY DESIGN
This year’s edition has a notably international scope. What led to that decision? How do you see the balance between showcasing Portuguese talent and introducing international voices?
Every edition features a mix of Portuguese and international designers—but they all have to produce their work in Portugal. That’s our red thread. We love seeing how foreign designers engage with Portuguese culture and traditional techniques—it often results in unexpected and inspiring pieces. This year, alongside the Portuguese designers, we’ll present some Polish, French, Brazilian, and Belgian designers, all working locally. It brings a fresh perspective on Portuguese craftsmanship and creates rich cross-cultural dialogue.
Sustainability, craftsmanship, and soul seem central to the fair’s curation. How do you choose the participants, and what kind of narrative are you hoping to build through their work?
Curation is at the heart of Lisbon by Design. We select designers who work with genuine materials—ceramics, wood, metal, textiles, glass—and who create with intention, depth, and aesthetics. Every piece must feel soulful, collectible, and aligned with a narrative of sustainability and authenticity. We aim to show the richness of materials, techniques, and stories, always with a fresh selection each year. For this edition, we’ve placed an even stronger focus on sustainability, which we believe is crucial moving forward.
THE PALACE PLAYS A HUGE ROLE IN THE FAIR’S MAGIC
The setting—Palacete Gomes Freire—is quite unique. How does the venue influence the atmosphere and experience of the fair?
The palace plays a huge role in the fair’s magic. It’s a private house, full of light, right in the center of Lisbon. Its many rooms allow us to host around 30 designers, each creating their own intimate atmosphere. Visitors often say it feels more like stepping into a beautiful home than attending a fair.
Beyond the fair itself, do you see Lisbon by Design growing into something more—perhaps a platform, a community, or a movement?
Absolutely—it already has. What started five years ago as a fair is now a platform, a community, and I would say even a movement. We’ve created something that puts Portuguese design and craftsmanship on the map, and that supports artists throughout the year with studio visits and collaborations.
What’s your long-term vision for it?
My long-term vision is to grow Lisbon by Design even further—ideally finding a larger venue and stronger financial support so we can scale up. I’d also love for it to travel internationally, bringing this unique blend of Portuguese talent and soul to other cities.
