Portuguese Designer Joana Duarte, founder and Creative Director of BÉHEN, has won the SANDRO x Maison Mode Méditerranée Award, a distinction that recognises contemporary fashion practices rooted in craftsmanship, territorial knowledge and sustainable creative processes.

On the SANDRO website, the brand explains its decision: “Portuguese designer Joana Duarte, founder of BÉHEN, won over the jury with her unique and deeply human approach. Her work breathes new life into traditional embroidery and weaving from the Azores and Madeira, transforming textiles rich with family history into bold ready-to-wear pieces. By collaborating closely with local artisan cooperatives, Joana proves that textile heritage is a living material, capable of entering into a dialogue with contemporary design while celebrating stories of memory and transmission.”

Joana Duarte travelled to Marseille to receive the PRIX MMM Textile, Savoir-Faire et Artisanat, avec le soutien de Sandro, awarded as part of the 14th edition of the prizes promoted by Maison Mode Méditerranée.

Launched in 2025, the award is presented to a designer whose work engages with traditional craftsmanship and includes a €10,000 financial grant, as well as two years of mentoring by SANDRO. The winner will also be invited to the brand’s headquarters to meet with the womenswear studio, explore potential creative synergies and share expertise, in addition to receiving further support to develop ongoing projects.

This year’s edition received around 140 applications across the fashion, textile, accessories and jewellery sectors, highlighting the scope and relevance of a programme that supports designers, artisans and researchers committed to shaping innovative and sustainable fashion, closely connected to the cultures, skills and territories of the Mediterranean and the African continent.