Grandma has already modeled, taught embroidery and transformed creativity into bonds of affection. Now, she is about to embark on the greatest adventure of all – crossing the world and taking Portuguese talent to Japan. But for that, she needs you!
Grandma Came to Work has a mission: to promote active aging, challenge stereotypes and show that creativity has no age. The project has already inspired more than 200 Grandmothers and now three of them have a unique opportunity to represent Portugal on the other side of the world. The travel costs are high, and only with your help will it be possible to make this dream come true.
What will happen in Japan?
This will be an unforgettable journey, full of unique moments, super-inspiring encounters and an immersive search for creativity for future collections:
📍 Fukuoka – photography embroidery workshop and pop-up at the iconic Ropponmatsu Tsutaya Books .
📍 Nagasaki – community workshop, promoting the exchange of knowledge between generations and cultures.
📍 Tokyo – exchange with a group of Japanese embroiderers; press conference at the Portuguese Embassy in Tokyo ; participation on national TV and radio interviews; advertising campaign for a hotel chain , where the youthfulness of the Grandmothers will be the protagonist.
Anyone who wants to contribute just needs to choose one of the reward levels and show all their love for Grandma. You can always opt for a free donation. More than just financial support, this is a way of telling Grandmas that their talents deserve the world – literally.
Going shopping with Grandma is also a great way to support the project! From embroidered photographs, to gymnastic grandmothers' pegs and loom cushions, this 100% national project has already shown many signs of creativity and everything is available in the online store - www.fermenta.org
Let's take Grandma to Japan together? Support this campaign and be part of this unforgettable trip!
About the author
In 2014, the initiative began by bringing together twenty grandmothers. United by their love of manual techniques, including knitting, crochet and embroidery, A Avó Veio Trabalhar was born, a social business driven by Susana António, a designer, and Ângelo Campota, a psychologist. Design was the main tool to provide active aging for those over 60 and, at the same time, put an end to the loneliness to which many of these people were condemned.
The embroidered gloves and silkscreened cushions were the first pieces to be sold. But Grandma soon started to leave the sofa where she dedicated herself to her crafts. She paraded in the heart of Chiado, travelled the country giving workshops, had fun at summer festivals, posed in a swimsuit, painted graffiti on murals, made suggestive biscuits and taught her grandchildren how to shop online at Jumbo. She ended 2015 with the “Best Idea of the Year” award, given by Time Out.
As a project based on inclusion, it has always paid back in kind: in 2016, it participated for the first time in the Arraial Lisboa Pride and took a battalion of Grandmothers to the streets, dressed in all colors. The charisma and friendliness have been proportional to the quality of this workforce. Grandmother's talent has already been requested by the Cannes Film Festival, Brazilian artist Mana Bernardes, director Jan Beddegenoodts, singer Mallu Magalhães and SOCO Paris, a bag brand that exudes grunge luxury.
In 2018, she arrived in the Azores, on the island of São Miguel, at the invitation of the Lagoa City Council. Since then, she has made a difference in the lives of the 27 Grandmothers who decided to roll up their sleeves and make a difference together.
Since 2023, it has shed its prejudices to serve unforgettable breakfasts at Extended Mix, at Lux Frágil.
In June 2024, it was time to grow to the city of Cascais and, since then, it has had more than 65 Grandparents in the family, always with the tendency to be more and more.
As a space for artisanal and creative production, it has already had the opportunity to showcase its presence to brands and companies such as Delta, TAP Portugal, Nestlé, MAPFRE, Milka, IKEA, Filorga, Portuguese Football Federation, Espaço Guimarães, LOEWE, Dr Finanças, Benamôr, Leroy Merlin, Lidl, Bolt, Pisca Pisca, Axians Portugal, Jncquoi, among others.
From Lisbon, Avó explored new frontiers. She was present at the 5th Iberico-American Design Biennial (Madrid), at Budapest Design Week, was the sensation artist at Duch Design Week, and also demonstrated her work at Gent Design Week.
Now, the time has come to travel to Japan, to show the Portuguese grandmother's mettle. And for that to happen, the project needs the support of several generations of grandchildren.
A Avó Veio Trabalhar
A Avó chegou ao Japão
Queridos netos,
Com o coração cheio, escrevemos-vos para dizer: a Avó está no Japão!
Sim, o sonho que parecia tão distante tornou-se realidade — e foi graças a vocês. Cada contributo, cada partilha, cada palavra de apoio foi um fio que teceu esta viagem tão especial.
A campanha “A Avó vai ao Japão, só lhe falta o avião” teve como meta os 10.000€, e embora tenhamos alcançado metade desse valor, o vosso carinho e confiança valeram por mil. Com criatividade e muito amor, encontrámos forma de levar o trabalho da Avó além-fronteiras.
Hoje, a Avó está do outro lado do mundo, em Tóquio, a mostrar o que sabe fazer de melhor: bordar com alma, partilhar histórias e espalhar sorrisos. E leva com ela um pedacinho de cada um de vocês.
Obrigada por acreditarem neste sonho connosco. Ele é agora realidade — bordado a muitas mãos.
Obrigada e beijinhos de todas as Avós,
A Avó Veio Trabalhar
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