Made by Melou. The Process.
Here, amidst the stunning backdrop of the Strait of Gibraltar, Africa, and Europe, where creation unfolds and our passion for craftsmanship thrives. Picture our design space: a humble workshop filled with only essentials. You'll find trusty sewing machines, patterns of shirts, jackets, and workwear overalls hanging off the walls, along with different threads, a wide selection of fabrics, buttons, labels and so on… To us each roll of fabric holds endless possibilities. We trust our intuition and let the fabric guide us as we discover it's true purpose. This little workspace gives us the possibility to run small productions, create samples, test and adjust them before they go to production.
Since 2010, we’ve been producing the clothes and accessories we like to wear, driven by the idea to make the most durable, comfortable clothes with a minimal environmental impact. Our approach is simple: buy less, but make it last longer. We prioritise quality from start to finish. We carefully select premium raw materials and ensure they are handled with care and attention throughout the entire manufacturing process.
As part of a global industry, we understand our role in reducing pollution and adopt sustainable practices. To us, making durable, well-made clothing isn’t difficult—it’s simply the right thing to do. Unfortunately, not all brands share this commitment, often producing low-quality clothing to keep the wheels of consumption turning.
Our hands-on approach means spending significant time in the heart of Northern Portugal, immersed in the production process, learning from the skilled artisans and factory teams who bring our designs to life. By understanding every part of the production process, we are able to shape each product precisely as we want it, down to the very thread, pattern, and finish. This proximity allows us to oversee each step of production, learn continuously, and maintain a deep understanding of how our garments are made.
By producing local in Europe we ensure fair wages, safe working conditions and ethical labor practices, while reducing delivery distances. The mindfulness - to creativity, to quality, to the livelihood and to our community - is central to who we are and what we do at Melou.
Melou stands against the fast fashion mindset. By creating timeless, quality pieces that don’t chase the fast-changing trends and fads, we aim to offer an alternative to our throwaway culture. We built cloth that last—garments that carry stories and endure over time.
This philosophy isn’t just about fashion; it’s a commitment to a thoughtful, responsible way of life. We hope you’ll appreciate the results as much as we do.