2026 collection honours Brazilian cotton trade pioneers

Natural Cotton Color, our Brazilian sustainable fashion brand, unveiled its 2026 collection “Tropeiros da Borborema” during Milan Fashion Week. The show took place on 25 September 2025 as part of Beyond the Claim, an event organised by the World Sustainability Organization (WSO) — responsible for the Friend of the Earth sustainability certification.The brand’s participation at the Istituto dei Ciechi, a 17th-century palace in Milan, was made possible with the support of ApexBrasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency), through the TexBrasil programme by ABIT (Brazilian |Association of Textile and Apparel Industry).

Fashion with history: the Paraíba hinterland as inspiration

The collection “Tropeiros da Borborema” draws inspiration from the strength and legacy of the tropeiros from Borborema — the muleteers who carved trade routes across the rugged landscape of Paraíba during the White Gold cycle*. It translates the cultural memory of Brazil’s Northeast into contemporary design made with naturally coloured organic cotton.

The collection was born from the personal memories of Francisca Vieira, CEO and creative director of Natural Cotton Color. Daughter and granddaughter of tropeiros, she transformed her family heritage into a tribute to the pioneers who transported cotton through the mountains of the Borborema plateau. Their stories of endurance and cooperation inspired a collection that combines tailoring, artisanal craftsmanship, and textile innovation, reinforcing the brand’s mission to value handmade work and sustainability across the production chain.

Authorial design and sustainability on the runway

On the Milan runway, Natural Cotton Color presented a dialogue between past and future. The collection features 1920s-inspired dresses reinterpreted in natural fabrics, coats reminiscent of the old travel garments, pyjamas-style sets with traditional labirinto embroidery, and layered looks referencing the leather gibão, a symbol of protection worn by the tropeiros. Traditional hats gain modern silhouettes, while Swarovski crystals add a touch of light representing the prosperity that cotton brought to the Paraíba region.

The use of fuxico, lace, and macramé crafted by local artisans reinforces the connection between tradition and cultural identity. Knit blouses made from silk and cotton feature delicate fuxico appliqués, while innovative fabrics such as denim blended with silk and cotton jacquard accented with cotton tufts bring new textures and movement to the collection.

The pajama-inspired looks reveal meticulous craftsmanship: embroidered shirts in satin stitch and chain stitch, blazers with double linings in cotton tulle and silk gauze, and reconstructed textiles with labirinto embroidery, creating tactile richness and timeless elegance.

 

 

 

 

 

Organic coloured cotton and positive impact

At the heart of every creation is organic coloured cotton grown in the semi-arid region of Paraíba. This unique fibre naturally grows in shades of beige, brown, and green, eliminating the need for chemical dyeing and saving up to 87.5% of water in the production process.

This sustainable model supports family farming and local communities, generating income for lace makers, weavers, and embroiderers who keep Brazil’s textile traditions alive. Each piece from Tropeiros da Borborema represents Natural Cotton Color’s commitment to ethical, traceable, and low-impact fashion, where innovation and cultural heritage coexist harmoniously.

A celebration of history and sustainability

“Tropeiros da Borborema” celebrates both Brazilian history and sustainable design — a poetic invitation to rethink luxury through nature, culture, and craftsmanship. The collection was created by Francisca Vieira and Léo Mendonça, with footwear by Virginia Barros and Pacoa, bags by Makano, and accessories by Dona Chica and Maria Karaguata. The finishing touches include Circulo threads and Swarovski crystals, illuminating the spirit of contemporary Brazilian fashion.

*During the so-called “White Gold cycle”, Paraíba became the world’s largest cotton producer, second only to Liverpool in England. The expression “Tropeiros da Borborema” pays tribute to these travellers who explored the sertão and were fundamental to the trade and international projection of Paraíba cotton.