In 2000/ 2001, Sofia worked as a monitor for occupational activities, specifically with children facing learning difficulties, including those who were deaf-mute and autistic. This experience broadened her perspective, emphasizing the importance of equality and accessibility. “It made me confront the countless barriers that exist for some and that must be eliminated. Promoting equality and accessibility for everyone is a principle on which I base myself, I try to create pieces for everyone and that everyone can feel regardless of their nature. Hats with sound, hats with Braille, hats with various textures such as stone and wood follow this principle.“ Following her completion of a Fine Arts degree in 2007, Sofia gained experience as a set designer in theater and worked extensively in a hat store.
AVO ATELIER emerged from Sofia Caldas’s vision, blending her artistic background and expertise in millinery. It serves as a space for her to explore the intersection of art, life, and people through the medium of hats. Each piece crafted by Sofia is unique, reflecting personal narratives and challenging conventional norms.
Inspired by her grandfather, AVO pays homage to familial influence and the enduring appeal of his hats. AVO comes from the Portuguese word that refers to grandfather – “Avô”. To create custom pieces, Sofia engages clients in a collaborative process, incorporating their memories and preferences. She maintains open communication throughout the process, ensuring that each hat reflects the essence of its wearer. “To make a Custom Hat, I usually ask the client to write to me and tell me about themselves, their memories, tastes… For a few days I reflect on all the information received, until I think I can somehow connect with the person. Once I have in mind the hat that I think reflects the person, I present it to the client, we make adjustments if necessary and move on to creating the hat. Throughout the process I always send photographs to the client so that they can follow and get involved in some way.“ Sofia has also taken part in numerous well-known exhibitions with her unique hats.
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We cooperate! This article was written in cooperation with the international platform for ethical fashion www.styleandthegang.com. Whether from Tokyo, Kilifi, Barcelona or Bali – on their website the editors Tays Jennifer Köper-Kelemen and Nina Elyas present unusual, socially committed and ethical fashion brands with cross-cultural concepts from all over the world. Curated designers tell their stories of craftsmanship, and what it means to create fashion with added value.
