BÉHEN, born in 2020, has a mission that transcends fashion. It is dedicated to celebrating and protecting traditional Portuguese craftsmanship. Joana Duarte, the Founder and Designer, plays a central role in this endeavor. Her passion for ethical production and collaboration with artisan communities led her to Jaipur in India, where she worked with traditional techniques. Upon her return to Portugal, after her time in India and completing her Masters in London, Joana was inspired by her family's stories, which fueled the creation of BÉHEN. This marked the beginning of her mission to protect Portuguese Heritage.

Our journey involves collaborating closely with artisans all over Portugal, ensuring that their skills and techniques are not only preserved but also passed on to future generations. We prioritize the use of conscious and ethically sourced materials in our creations, emphasizing quality, longevity, and environmental responsibility. By merging traditional techniques with fashion, we strive to reconnect people with these antique practices, allowing them to appreciate and engage with these techniques in a contemporary context. All BÉHEN collections and projects are developed in collaboration with artisans throughout the country, giving voice and visibility to various techniques, from textiles to tinwork. Today, BÉHEN boasts a network of hundreds of artisans, symbolizing the intersection between tradition, contemporaneity, and technological innovation, all aimed at ensuring the longevity of Portuguese craftsmanship.