Porto hosted a filigree jewellery design competition inspired by Alice in Wonderland
Rua das Flores in Porto filled with talent and focus on a day ruled by the clock. Dozens of participants took on the challenge of designing a filigree jewel, in an exercise where imagination had to submit to the discipline of time.
The initiative was led by the century-old Joalharia do Carmo, which challenged young designers to create a filigree jewel. The competition took place this Saturday, March 28.
Throughout the day, participants — competing individually or in pairs — worked intensively on the given briefing: to design a piece inspired by the world of Alice in Wonderland, the same concept behind the interior design of Joalharia do Carmo’s Porto store. They explored shapes, symbols and visual narratives that bridge Portuguese artisanal tradition with a timeless literary imagination. The submission deadline was set for 5:30 pm, marking the end of a demanding creative process, lived under pressure but driven by a strong sense of commitment.
This was followed by the jury’s deliberation, also carried out against the clock, in a rigorous evaluation process based on the creativity and originality of the proposals, their feasibility for filigree production, as well as the clarity, legibility and graphic quality of the presentations.
The awards ceremony took place at 8:00 pm, in line with the programme. Three projects were distinguished:
— 1st prize: Sofia Laranjo and João Barbosa, with the earrings “Don’t Cry, Alice”
— 2nd prize: Ana Lima and João Martins, with the earrings “Key of Carmo”
— 3rd prize: Bernardo Duarte and Joaru Tsai, with the hairpin “Rabbit Hole”
The first prize winner received €2,500, the second €1,500 and the third €1,000. In addition to the monetary award, the winning design will be produced and commercialised in Joalharia do Carmo stores, benefiting from official hallmarking and the issuance of digital certificates by the Assay Office of the Portuguese Mint (Imprensa Nacional – Casa da Moeda).
More than a competition, this initiative became a meeting point between past and future: filigree — one of the most delicate expressions of Portuguese goldsmithing — placed in the hands of a new creative generation, challenged to reinterpret it without losing its essence.
All submitted projects were original and developed exclusively for this context, reinforcing the competition’s commitment to authenticity and contemporary creation.
On a day when time felt scarce, it became clear that creativity, when well guided, always finds a way to assert itself — even against the clock.