Textile designer Carolina Irving, along with her daughters Olympia and Ariadne, has shared a personal guide to the Portuguese town of Melides. The family highlights local spots for stays, dining, shopping, and activities in the area. Irving's connection to Melides began over 16 years ago through an invitation from friend Christian Louboutin.
Carolina Irving's career reflects her diverse background. Raised in Paris by Venezuelan parents, she studied at the École du Louvre and later moved to New York, where she worked as an art dealer at Sotheby’s. She also held positions at Elle Decor and Oscar de la Renta Home before launching her own textile brand in 2006. Her designs draw from travels, evoking wanderlust, as she once said to Architectural Digest: “I want a house everywhere I go.”
In 2018, Irving started Carolina Irving & Daughters, a lifestyle brand focused on tabletop design, developed with her daughters Olympia and Ariadne through their mutual interest in treasure hunting. The family maintains homes in different cities—Carolina in Paris and her daughters in London—but they frequently retreat to Melides on Portugal's coast for relaxation.
Their affinity for Melides started more than 16 years ago when Christian Louboutin invited Irving to the remote town, leading her to purchase a house there. The guide recommends several local favorites. For accommodations, they suggest Quinta Amala, a new hotel amid rice fields, and Vermelho Melides, Louboutin's hotel with uniquely beautiful rooms.
Dining options include A Cerquinha, an organic farm supplying vegetables like Shiso leaves; Anguilla Surf Café for breakfast pastries and coffee in the main square; Snack Bar O Fadista for garlic shrimp and Lagartos, requiring reservations; Tia Rosa outside town; and Tosca Melides for pizza and Italian dishes. Shopping spots feature Jammd & Project in Grandola for homeware, Noemina Melides for clothes including Lisa Corti items and Iacobella bags, and Vida Dura for Portuguese ceramics and global collectibles.
Beaches highlighted are Aberta Nova with its restaurant serving clam chowder and Pego sandwiches; Lagoa Santo André, a quieter spot with cocktails and black tempura langoustines; and Praia da Galé, near a taco restaurant. Activities include horseback rides via Passeios a Cavalo Melides through rice fields and beaches, and services from Twopack Kitchen for catering, picnics, and events.
