One of the designer’s biggest passions is architecture. As a matter
of fact, he feels like an architect himself. An architect of fashion.
An architect that, instead of changing a city’s landscape, he em-
powers women with his one-of-a-kind designs. As such, Carlos
has been currently working alongside Gavinhos Architecture and
Interiors, a Lisbon-based studio, Topázio, a well-known Portu-
guese goldsmithery and Covet House for a concept store in Por-
tugal’s capital. ’It’s the merging of several architectures in one
big heart, one through which an immense blood river will flow’’
Throughout his award-winning career, Carlos highlights one he
deeply cherishes. On June 10th, 2015, the designer was awarded
the Grand Cross of the Henry the Navigator Order, Portugal’s
highest honour. It was more than an award. It was the recog-
nizing of Carlos’ work, of the way he brought the spotlight back
to Portuguese design. He feels an enormous responsibility when
he presents his collections outside Portugal, but, alongside the
responsibility, comes a tremendous joy, one that he can’t hide.
‘’It’s like a Herculean task, to represent a country. And it’s not
just me, it’s a big amount of people that work incredibly hard
to elevate my work, which is always presented in a soulful yet
proud and wise way.’’
Whenever he presents in Milan, he feels he’s under the world’s
spotlight. Milan’s one of the biggest and most important fash-
ion weeks in the world. The first times he presented, he wasn’t
today’s Carlos Gil. He was just another foreigner trying to make
it in Milan. A status that soon changed once the audience gazed
at Carlos’ designs. He felt huge support from the audience and
all the love that Milan had to give. To present alongside Gucci,
Dolce and Gabbana or Prada was nothing but a dream. Now,
that’s the reality he lives every year.
‘’It’s a unique feeling. To be next to Prada, Gucci, Dolce and Gab-
bana is something truly amazing.’’
For him, a runway show has nothing to do with another. To
present in Lisbon and to present in Milan is completely different.
Whenever he presents in Lisbon, he feels at home, an inexplicable
joy, as he’s received by his fellow countrymen. As for Milan, the
joy he feels is a joy of acceptation, the joy of integration.