Marita Moreno launches limited-edition Michone Viana boots, crafted by certified artisans

Six of the seven pairs of Marita Moreno’s handmade boots, 100% Made in Portugal, are now available. Named Michone Viana to celebrate “the Minho textile tradition through a unique history of craftsmanship,” they are the latest creation from Portuguese designer and cultural manager Marita Setas Ferro, a Mozambique-born creative long recognised for her work at the intersection of sustainable fashion, textile sculpture, and craft. This recognition is due in large part to the singular creations of her accessories and footwear brand, founded in 2008 after she obtained a master’s degree in Sculpture from FBAUP (Porto), alongside postgraduate studies in Cultural Management at ISCTE (Lisbon) and in Design and Marketing at the University of Minho (Braga), as well as training in Fashion Design at CITEX (Porto).

“These boots are a highly exclusive run of seven pairs made from the artisanal weaving used for the traditional Viana costume,” she tells FashionNetwork.com. “Because they were cut from the skirt, each pair is unique in the pattern and colours it displays.”

For sale, “we have six pairs, in sizes 36 to 41, priced at €260.” They can be purchased online on Marita Moreno’s website or, for those who want to try them on, “we can leave them at Cru or UsoLuso (Porto) or send them to the Rita Salazar Store (Lisbon) for a more personal experience,” she adds.

The name Michone Viana (often “Nina”) comes from the Portuguese artisan and creator frequently associated with Viana do Castelo, whose work is distinguished by the preservation and reinvention of Portugal’s textile and craft heritage, reinterpreting traditional elements such as Lenços de Namorados and typical embroidery, or creating accessories like bags, purses, and key rings.

The connection between Michone Viana and Marita Moreno is most evident in this specific model: the Michone Viana boots, which form part of Marita Setas Ferro’s Handmade Line. They pay homage to Minho’s heritage, and specifically to the traditional crafts of Viana do Castelo, using handwoven Minho textiles with traditional patterns (such as ‘puxados’), originally found on the round skirts of local folklore.

Although the name evokes Michone Viana’s style, the weaving used in these specific Marita Moreno pieces is often executed by certified artisan Aida Pires Martins. Here, the handwoven Minho textile is combined with Burel (100% natural wool from Serra da Estrela) and natural or recycled rubber soles, upholding designer Marita Setas Ferro’s ethical commitments.

That said, the Michone concept that gives Marita Moreno’s collection its name is inspired by the character Michonne from the series ‘The Walking Dead’, focusing on a design of practical, hard-wearing slip-on boots that marry character and simplicity. In essence, it represents a fusion of identities, in which Michone Viana’s name and artisanal aesthetic, with a focus on Minho heritage, serve as inspiration rather than raw material for Marita Moreno’s limited editions of sustainable luxury footwear.

“Each pair is made with artisanal weaving from Minho, with traditional designs and techniques such as ‘puxados,’ produced by artisan Aida Pires Martins,” Marita Setas Ferro emphasises in the note she sent us. “This rare fabric- originally created for the emblematic round skirt of Minho folklore- carries generations of cultural identity. Instead of a skirt, this textile heritage takes on new life in our Michone boots.”

“With traditional Minho motifs and colours, the Michone Viana boots are part of an extremely limited edition, created with deep respect for culture, artisanal savoir-faire and Portuguese pride.”

“For the plain-coloured sections, we used blue Burel, a 100% wool cloth produced by a family-owned company in Manteigas, in the Serra da Estrela,” she continues. “Thanks to a unique finishing process, the wool becomes more compact, durable and naturally waterproof — ideal for long walks and everyday use.”

“As part of Marita Moreno’s Handmade Line, the Michone Viana boots are designed and produced in Portugal, working only with certified artisans and local factories, combining comfort, durability and timeless design,” she concludes, highlighting the fact that this is: “A rare edition. A living tradition. A statement made to last.”