If you’re new here, welcome to the Founders’ Diaries. A journal where we share a deeper look into our entrepreneurial journey.
We launched TwinFlame in 2021, and since then, the company has truly seen it all.
There have been ups, downs, and plenty of lessons along the way but here we are in 2026, stronger than ever. Stronger because we’ve learned so much, and motivated because, even today, Twinflame is THE project that truly makes our hearts happy.
The idea for Twinflame came from something simple: we wanted versatile, elevated pieces at a fair price, with quality that lasts. That vision became our brand, and to this day, we’re involved in every step, from creation to production to customer service. Our goal is simple: build a closet of pieces you’ll want to wear over and over again.
Now, with better financial visibility and a growing rhythm for expanding our collection, we’re diving back into production. Recently, we spent 48 hours in Porto with two of our partner factories, overseeing production and approving the final prototypes.
This isn’t our first time in Porto, so now that we know our way around, getting everything organized and running efficiently is much easier. We checked into our adorable hotel, Casa do Arquiteto, owned by the famous designer Moura Sato. Our room was bright and spacious. If you’re planning a trip to Porto, we can’t recommend this place enough!
Porto is full of lovely restaurants, and since we had woken up early for our flight, we were in the mood for something brunch-like. The space was, once again, luminous and minimalistic, and the food was delicious. Tip: order the banana bread, it’s really exceptional, especially for a gluten-free pastry.
We then headed about an hour outside of Porto to meet with the factory that produces The Bella and The Giorgia tops. It’s a family-owned business that we absolutely love working with. Their level of expertise, precision, and professionalism is unmatched.
For example, they anticipate how fabrics behave: when fabric is stored on a roll, it stretches, so weeks before production they unroll and lay it flat to let it naturally shrink, preventing any surprises later. They also test washable fabrics using different machines to understand how they react in real-life conditions. These steps are essential for us to ensure our clients receive pieces of the highest quality.
This meeting had two main objectives:
1. Final approval on two pieces that are in production right now.
We reviewed The Deva and Twinsparency Slip Bodysuits, designed to be worn under our upcoming silk tops. When we design, we always think about practicality. We love playing with transparency, but no one wants the hassle of figuring out what to wear underneath. That’s why we created these pieces, so you don’t have to worry about a thing. Both were perfect and officially approved for production.
2. Reviewing prototypes for the next collection
We developed four pieces, but only one made the cut. Bringing a piece to life requires the perfect balance of cut, fabric, and overall feel and sometimes, it simply doesn’t translate.
Our process starts with a moodboard, where we define each piece. If we have vintage references or existing pieces, we share them with the factory to guide proportions and details.
We’re moving forward with the selected prototype, which we love. It will need a few adjustments in fit, and we’ve decided to switch to a different fabric.
As usual, I couldn’t wait to wear one of our designs, so I chose the Deva Slip Bodysuit, which can be worn on its own. It’s the kind of piece we love: effortlessly sexy, comfortable, and versatile with so many different styles of pants.
During dinner, we spent the entire time brainstorming, going through our inspiration albums to rethink the pieces that didn’t work. And we have exciting news !!! We designed a new piece that is going to be absolutely stunning. The prototype is already in development, and we can’t wait to share it with you.
We started the day with a delicious breakfast: refined, healthy, and with plenty of options. Of course, I grabbed a Pastel de Nata to go for a later treat.
We then headed once again about an hour outside Porto to visit the factory producing The Deva Silk Top and The Twinsparency Silk Top. This visit was all about reviewing the final prototypes before production.
The Twinsparency Silk Top, our bestseller, is finally coming back after high demand, and we couldn’t be more excited.
As for the Deva Top, after recent adjustments, it looks even better. We completely reworked the sleeve construction to improve both comfort and overall design.
With everything finalized, we took some time before heading to the airport to stroll through Porto. We had lunch at Bicho, which was excellent.
Right across the street, we discovered a pastry shop filled with homemade cakes. We found a bolo de brigadeiro, a classic cake from Brazil that our mother and grandmother used to make. It instantly brought back childhood memories with every bite. Next time we’re back, we will try every single cake in that shop.
Always stay true to your vision. People will constantly offer advice, and while it’s important to listen, you should never lose sight of what you want to create. Many will try to influence your direction or style but what truly works is what comes from you. Stay focused, trust your instincts, and keep going.
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Bisous, Bisous,
Karen & Lisa
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