Walking through Lisboa, I was immediately drawn to the details of the city. Colourful tiled walls, weathered facades and warm yellow trams moving through the cobbled streets gave every corner its own character. There was something effortlessly beautiful about the way old architecture, faded colour and everyday life existed side by side. It was these small details that caught my eye, and became the backdrop for shooting our hemp caps.

Walking through Lisboa, there was something that felt strangely familiar. The vibrant colours, beautiful architecture and laid-back energy reminded me so much of South Africa. There’s a love for life, food and being outdoors that felt deeply familiar. In many ways, Portugal felt like an echo of home. Different in its own way, but with a warmth and feeling that I recognised almost immediately.

The food was unreal. I couldn’t get enough of the chicken peri-peri. Bonjardim would be my recommendation.  Spicy, smoky, and full of flavour. It felt like you were sitting in their kitchen while they cooked, and somehow even more soulful. And then there were the pastéis de nata (Portuguese custard tarts). Creamy, crisp, caramelised perfection in every bite. check out Manteigaria if you get a chance while you're in Lisbon.

What struck me most was how cultures that once seemed worlds apart can actually reflect each other so strongly. Portugal and South Africa may be on different continents, but there’s a shared soul. You see it in the streets, taste it in the food, hear it in the music and feel it in the effortless style of the people.

For me, that connection is what makes fashion so interesting. It travels with us. It takes inspiration from the places we come from and the places we discover, adapting and evolving along the way. Portugal reminded me that style doesn’t have to belong to one place or one era. It can take something from the past, mix it with something new and become its own.

That’s a big part of what we’re trying to capture at George James. Pieces inspired by heritage, shaped by the places we’ve been and designed to be lived in today. Timeless essentials with that subtle Afro feeling, bringing together different influences without losing where they came from.