Vera Martins

Clothing & crafts designer

City:

Porto

Age:

Country:

Portugal

Vera grew up in a family with traditional values where the focus was on making your own things and using material well and with respect. She also has a connection with her neighbourhood, as she has lived in the same home for much of her life. For instance, some of her furniture comes from a local furniture maker, and her olive oil is made by a neighbour’s family.

“Besides being important, it is something that is so easy to do”

Vera has this very receptive and positive attitude that enables her to walk the talk. When she learns about something new, she takes it in and acts upon it, not letting a few obstacles hinder her.

“As soon as I discovered that there was an organisation collecting paper for recycling, some 15 years ago, I would collect my waste paper and take it by bus to the organisation. Then later we got a recycling point closer to my house. Whenever I’d find out about something new that could be done to improve the environment I would get very enthusiastic to join in”

This is also how Vera got involved in the animal rights movement. After reading an article, her eyes were opened to the injustice animals suffer in factory farms, sports and in laboratories. Loving animals and their cause, she followed her principles, became vegan and started participating in demonstrations and animal welfare awareness raising.

“There are many organisations representing social issues and human rights, but there are fewer representing the animals who do not have a voice of their own”

But Vera doesn’t only focus on animals, she’s also interested people. Vera is a fashion designer and tailor and she has her own collection of reusable items for women and children that can replace disposable ones, such as panty liners and breastfeeding pads. She comes up with simple creative solutions and brings back to us in a new way, quality products that once were common.

“Instead of waiting for the government to take action or the laws to be applied, it is important that each person thinks about what he or she can do without having to spend more money”

focus:

ecology

Level of activity:

behaviour change, small-medium actions

keywords:

activism, clothes, food, upcycling