Chibaia – Honouring the earth

In church. At an ordinary mass. Several families follow the sermon that is delivered from the pulpit. The priest asks the Chibaia family to stand up. Familiar with the surname, the elders rise. Bewildered, Cláudio, still a child, follows their choreography – Chibaia is unknown to him. Only later would he realize that the surname “Lobo” attached to his name was actually imposed on him. His grandfather, who was a teacher in the colonial era, had to adopt a Portuguese name, “Lobo”, leaving behind his actual surname.

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The Chibaia Clothing brand is, in fact, a way of recovering Cláudio’s origins and searching for his “lost” identity. A way to express what he considers to be continuity and representation of Mozambican culture, as if the present were hitching a ride from the past to project the future.

Already established as one of the most renowned brands in the domestic market, it is now making its way around the world. The patterns and colours of the capulana fabrics mark its clothes. “Capulana is our flag, our Mozambicanity and Africanity,” says Cláudio, who is reinventing the fabric in various ways, including bags, shorts and women’s and men’s coats. With a store in the Maputo’s city centre, it has received sales orders from other parts of the world.

Cláudio’s bet is to project a positive image of Mozambique, setting a new example for job creation and also contributing to meet the needs of the market in terms of high-quality clothing, which he considers one hundred percent Mozambican.

Despite the beautiful features he brings to his pieces, Cláudio never considered himself a fashion designer. He feels more of a designer and entrepreneur, and that’s why he only recently began to participate in fashion shows outside the country.

Curious by nature and with enormous enthusiasm for navigating the “unknown”, Cláudio always seeks to tread the paths that bring him the greatest challenges. His inspiration comes from his observations, senses, passions… from life itself.

Edição 80 Jul/Ago/ Set| Download.