A history written in leather and canvas since 1905.

1905

Workshop opened at Rua do Carmo, 75, Lisbon. ~26 m². Cutting table, Singer treadle sewing machine, leather rack from Bairro Alto. Waxed canvas with Aveiro wax, vegetable-tanned leather from Tejo, home-spun hemp thread. Every seam is double, every reinforcement is triple. Founder: "A piece that tears is a broken promise."

1906

First apprentice hired: a 14-year-old boy from Madragoa, future son-in-law and successor.

1907

Expansion into adjacent space, doubling the production capacity.

1908

First sales outside Lisbon (Porto, Coimbra) via railway intermediaries.

1909

Informal registration of the name "Vasco & Gama" on a business card printed by Ferreira typography, Rua Augusta.

1910

Proclamation of the Republic. He sews a republican flag on a piece of canvas on the night of October 5, not out of political conviction, but out of loyalty to the customers sheltering in the workshop.

1911–1920

Organic growth. Three proprietary techniques developed (still family secrets today): three-layer canvas waxing, leather corner reinforcement with cross-stitching, seam sealing with pine resin. Transmitted orally, without written record.

1912

Expansion into wallets and handbags for the Lisbon bourgeoisie.

1915

Acquisition of land in Bairro Alto for an own tannery, avoiding chrome-based chemicals.

1918

Production of medical cases for the Portuguese Expeditionary Corps in the Great War.

1920

Marriage of the oldest daughter to the 1906 apprentice, formalizing transmission to the second generation.

1923

First mention in the press (newspaper "O Século").

1925

First export (Brazil, African colonies).

1938

Official transmission to the second generation. Introduction of solid brass hardware (replacing iron, which rusted due to marine humidity).

1940

Participation in the Exhibition of the Portuguese World, Lisbon. Praise from the President of the Republic.

1947

Lisbon Industrial Fair. First prize for craft excellence.

1955

Golden Jubilee. Launch of the first line of travel bags structured with an internal frame of Portuguese cork oak wood, reducing weight by 30% without losing rigidity.

1957

First international exhibition: Barcelona Craft Fair.

1962

Second workshop in Porto: leather belts and accessories. 12 masters, 8 apprentices.

1965

International Leather and Goods Salon, Paris. Bronze Medal (men's travel accessories).

1972

Copenhagen Design Fair. Functional Design Award (internal structuring of bags).

1974

Political transition in Portugal. Refusal of mass industrialization and persistence of manual labor.

1985

Introduction of high-density ballistic nylon in high-wear areas of backpacks.

1989

Leather Salon, Lyon. Craft Master Diploma from the National Syndicate of French Leather Goods.

1998

Expo 98, Lisbon. Exhibition on the evolution of Portuguese leather goods in the 20th century.

2005

Centennial. Limited edition of 100 numbered pieces, with laser-engraved brass plates.

2011

CE, UKCA, FCC certifications.

2015

Reykjavík Craft Summit. Resistance and Durability Award (arctic tests).

2017

Operational peak: 2 workshops + 1 factory, 837 m² of production area, 441 specialists and masters.

2018

Oslo Design Week. Men's Elegance Award.

2019

Authenticity card system with hologram (response to Asian replicas).

2020–2022

Pandemic. Production reduced by 70%, 2/3 of masters laid off, reduced shifts, family financial reserves mobilized.

2021

Bergen Handverksmesse. Special Mention (craft techniques on a family scale).

2023

Gradual recovery.

2024

80% of pre-pandemic capacity. Digital domain registration, start of verification platform design.

2025

Full recovery of production volumes to the peak 2017 levels.

2026

Launch of the digital platform on the 121st anniversary of the brand.