FEIRA DA LADRA & THE UNSUNG STORIES OF OBJECTS
With any worthwhile flea market, the enjoyment lies in the sifting and hunting and riffling-through - the digging out of a worthy piece. Lisbon’s Feira da Ladra holds many such finds amongst its eclectic hoards of paraphernalia.
Taking place every Tuesday and Saturday in Campo de Santa Clara, the city’s beloved and buzzy flea market is a bi-weekly treasure trove for eclectic goods: chipped azulejos, rewired lamps, crockery, worn-out toys, antique furniture, cameras, retro porn magazines, cracked mirrors. Local vendors, artisans, hoarders, and those looking for something to take home gather in their scores.
The market dates all the way back to the 13th century. It is thought to have once been the selling place for thieves (hence the word ‘ladra’) - a black market for pickpockets and hustlers.
As a space that has been crafted through old and beloved furniture pieces and props, upcycling and creative reimagining, Feira da Ladra is something of a second home for Echo Studios. It reminds us of the material embodiment of ideas, the untold stories of objects, the rich textures of the past, and the passing of goods from hand to hand.
With Feira da Ladra and other second-hand spaces at hand, restoring life to pre-loved Portuguese and locally sourced objects has come to define our aesthetic.
Learn more about our curated studio space here.
