Álvaro Clemente, a tailor born in Loulé, who became one of the most renowned creators of men's fashion in all of Latin America, with John F. Kennedy as a client, has died. The funeral took place this Tuesday, March 12, in Lisbon.
Álvaro Clemente Luz was born in Loulé. At a very young age he learned the tailor's trade, establishing himself with a small tailoring shop in his hometown.
He quickly expanded his business with the opening of two more tailor shops in the Algarve region, one in Vila Real de Santo António and the other in Faro.
He emigrated to Venezuela, where he became one of the most renowned men's fashion creators in all of Latin America. Important personalities from that territory, such as the Presidents of the Republics of Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Honduras, Ecuador and Venezuela, frequented the “Clement” stores.
Its fashion reached the United States of America and the rest of Europe. The list of his clients includes names such as the late John F. Kennedy.
It also stood out for its important associative and cultural role. He was president of the Portuguese weekly “A Voz da Comunidade”, the main media outlet of the Portuguese Community of Venezuela.
He was founder and president of the “Luso-Venezuelan Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism”. He also helped to found the Federation of Portuguese Businessmen in Venezuela and the Confederation of Businesspeople of Portuguese Communities. For years, she was a mandatory presence on the jury of the Miss Venezuela competition.
He chaired the International Commission for “Support for Algarve Emigrants”, at the invitation of Casa do Algarve in Lisbon. He was the main promoter of the statue to Simão Bolívar, inaugurated on Avenida da Liberdade, in Lisbon.
He received several decorations, both from the Government of Venezuela and the Portuguese Government, including the Commendation of Infante D. Henrique.
In 1995, he was awarded the Silver Municipal Medal of Merit by Loulé City Council.
In 2020, the municipality paid tribute to Álvaro Clemente, giving his name to the square next to the Solar da Música Nova building, in the city of Loulé.
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