“I like light, color, luminosity. I like things full of color and vibrant”, that is what the mythical Oscar de la Renta said, when fully describing his creative energy and his vision about the beautiful and delicate face of life. As Lisbon delights us with light and color, with a constant, surprising mélange of aesthetic joy and a bit of nostalgia, many of the details I came across with, while visiting the city sometimes reminded me of the sophisticated, delicate, but so spectacular creations belonging to the famous couturier. In one of the little streets of the city, in a shop window, full of graceful miniature objects, I discovered a collection of porcelain pieces which made me think of the legendary de la Renta, at once. I stepped in and what is that I see?...I was right! The extremely beautiful plates with floral patterns, the diaphanous little cups bore the signature of de la Renta, in the Coralina porcelain collection.
What I found later on, in the wonder-shop were fascinating porcelain pieces and decorations, in, as it seems, the first porcelain factory in Portugal, Vista Alegre.
And my favourites are by far the Calcada portuguesa collection, that renders the unique, Portuguese mosaics on the pavements

and Alma de Lisboa with colored images from Lisabona, that has in fact, very reasonable prices, as many of the objects in here.

Since 1824 the Vista Alegre porcelain has been fascinating the world, kings and queens included, becoming one of the most important, sophisticated and stylish Portuguese businesses, equally versatile, traditional and contemporary at the same time. Moreover, the collaborations with designers and artists like Lacroix, Sam Baron, Karim Rashid, Roberto Chichorro, de la Renta, made the company rocket to the top of the best manufacturers of porcelain and crystal in the world. The products are absolutely special and no matter how many cups or plates you might have at home, I assure you that buying a souvenir from Vista Alegre, too, is a must! 

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