Origin Made

In Portugal, centuries-old craft making techniques are dying out. Southeast of Porto, for example, a region once home to dozens of artisans making “barro preto” or “black ceramic” kitchenware, now only has fewer than seven practicing studios. In 2019, Singaporean designer Gabriel Tan moved to Portugal with his family and, with his wife Cherie, founded Origin Made – a brand dedicated to preserving Portuguese craft.

“Origin Made is a brand that operates at the intersection of craft and design,” says Tan. “It’s a brand that stands for honest, transparent storytelling, where we tell the stories of where products are made and who made them.” Gabriel and Cherie match designers from around the world with Portuguese craftspeople specializing in ceramics, woodworking, and weaving to share skills and develop unique products together. The result is a collaborative collection of sculptures and furnishings that radiate handmade care while reflecting each designer’s individual style. “I think that this human connection between products and people is deepened when you can see the process and when you know who made it, when there’s a face to the person who made your chair.”