Fashion has always been their driving force, but Felipe and Séverine Oliveira Baptista needed a break from the industry's relentless pace. The renowned designer couple found their perfect retreat in Portugal's capital, where Felipe was born - a historic mansion overlooking the city that has crystallized their passion for vintage pieces, iconic designers, and contemporary photography.

The couple moved to the heights of Lisbon in 2022 with their children, falling in love with a building dating from the late 18th century. "We immediately felt a sense of belonging to a story. We felt at home from the very first moment," Felipe explains. This remarkable building was one of the first to be constructed after the devastating 1755 earthquake and tsunami that destroyed much of Lisbon. It originally served as headquarters for the team of architects responsible for rebuilding the city.

The mansion's grand balcony, rare for its time, was built to overlook the reconstruction work and offers panoramic views of present-day downtown Lisbon. "Few houses this old remain, and it's rare to find them in this condition. Unfortunately, there's a tendency to tear everything down and disregard heritage," Felipe notes with concern about architectural preservation.

During their three-year sabbatical, Séverine has sharpened her taste for decoration, transforming what was once a casual pleasure into an official function. She now provides consulting services to friends and takes on genuine interior design projects. In their luminous duplex apartment, the massive doors and ceilings retain their original wood. For the rest, Séverine has imagined clean-lined décor dominated by abundant vegetation, creating the atmosphere of a suspended garden - a true summer refuge overlooking the city.

The couple kept only essential furniture and numerous photographs from their Parisian life, including Michel Ducaroy's Togo sofas, Ettore Sottsass tables, and a sublime portrait of Grace Jones that reigns at the end of the living room - a gift from Jean-Paul Goude to the designers. A photograph by Portuguese artist Helena Almeida graces the dining room. "I did a lot of antiquing. The clock, the weekly planner, lots of 1980s design, to contrast with the house's historic and ornate environment," Séverine explains.

"Like the clothes we create, it's not just about a concept or silhouette, but also how you wear them. It's not just about decoration, but an environment where you feel good, that reflects who we are and how we live daily," she adds. The kitchen, perfectly Lisbon in style, is covered with magnificent Pombaline azulejos that complement the collection of blue opalines she has been gathering for years.

In Felipe's office, the wall resembles a grand panorama of his work - "a work-in-progress wall" featuring his clear-lined drawings and photo experiments. A massive 1960s architect's table, found in an old workshop, occupies the space. The designer loves to tilt it completely vertical and transform it into an easel for painting.

These three years of pause have served as creative introspection for the couple, changing their dynamic. In this partnership, both in life and on runways, Felipe previously held the active role in fashion, supported by Séverine as his éminence grise - first for his eponymous brand twenty years ago, then at Lacoste, and finally at Kenzo, which they left in 2021. "Same team, reversed roles," Felipe smiles. "Séverine pilots the concept and ambiance, while I give my opinion, exchange ideas, discuss color palettes, and occasionally design specific elements."

Three years during which Séverine has become convinced to continue in decoration, between France and Portugal. Three years during which Felipe has been able to fully concentrate on his photographic and painting work, exhibiting his pieces, notably at Domaine Pommery in Reims. "We realize it's a real luxury to be able to give ourselves time for ourselves. We said we would also try to do things that fascinate us, that are creative and that we've always done a bit as a sideline," they reflect.

In luxury fashion, time is the ultimate commodity. Séverine and Felipe have discovered, almost miraculously, that time no longer needs to be hierarchized into six months, four months, or even three months - the deadlines imposed by multiple collections to present in a year. They marvel at spring-summer that isn't on the fashion week calendar but reveals itself through the passage of swallows.

Felipe has been able to rediscover the city where he was born and which he left at age 17. "It's true, you've lived longer in Paris than in Lisbon," Séverine observes. "It was an organic choice to come live here." He has "rediscovered plenty of childhood images. The smells, the light, friends, family." They love this in-between state, where they're not really expats, nor quite Lisbonites.

The Portuguese capital acts as a reset and energy boost, putting their passions back in place. Because fashion is never far away - it harnesses the heart forever. "I'm preparing photo and drawing exhibitions. I've also completed personal work on my years as a designer that I've compiled into three books. A brilliant refresher to refocus," Felipe explains. The projects are there, enthusiasm is regenerated, ideas are clear. And fashion awaits them in Paris.