OBSERVATIONS & OTHER ACCIDENTS

On the 6th of November, I headed to the Chiado for a press breakfast — the occasion was the launch of Lonbali’s first pop-up in Lisbon. It was a standing breakfast, the kind where conversation drifts easily between sips of coffee and the clinking of plates. The atmosphere was bright and relaxed, carrying that effortless warmth the Spanish seem to bring wherever they go. Between introductions and brief exchanges about the brand’s journey, it became clear that Lonbali isn’t just about accessories, but about a family story — one that has travelled from London to Barcelona to Bali, and now, finally, to Lisbon.

We arrive at breakfast and it’s easy to recognise the founders of the brand — that effortlessly chic Spanish elegance gives them away. We meet them and ask them to tell us about their project. They’re three siblings: Soledad Álvarez, María Álvarez and Marc Caballé. And they also happen to be the children of the renowned Spanish designer Purificación García. That detail, however, doesn’t come from them. They keep it out of the conversation — they don’t want to be recognised “that way”, and they’re absolutely right.

The three siblings: Soledad Álvarez, María Álvarez and Marc Caballé.

It takes me back to when, years ago, during the time of my former blog and my days as a fashion editor, I received a Purificación García handbag. Back then, parcels would arrive at the office almost daily — part of the rhythm of working in fashion journalism. The bag came in a beautiful box, and inside was a handwritten card from Purificación García herself, addressed to me, Pureza — a small but meaningful gesture. The kind that stays with you.

Back to Lonbali — the brand created by these three siblings — there’s something bright and sunny about them, an energy that instantly translates into what they do. Even the name tells their story: Lonbali comes from London, Barcelona and Bali, the three cities where each of them lived before reuniting to create the brand.

Soledad, the eldest, lived in London for fifteen years, working as a tax lawyer — nothing to do with fashion. María, the middle sister, was in Barcelona, already designing and running her own label. And Marc, the youngest, was in Bali, where he had opened a Spanish tapas restaurant. Three different paths, three ways of seeing the world, that eventually converged to form a brand with both family soul and cosmopolitan spirit.

“We wanted to create something fun and versatile — a brand that reflected who we are,” they tell me. And that’s how Lonbali was born, back in 2016, with three signature prints — Born (Barcelona), Kensington (London) and Kubu (Bali). Nine years later, they remain the brand’s best-sellers. “We still sell exactly the same bag, season after season. We simply add new colours. It’s a design that works — always.”

Lonbali has built its identity around practical, personalisable pieces, made with care and attention to detail. Everything is meant to last — even the packaging feels thoughtful, almost gift-like. Perhaps that’s part of the secret behind their steady growth and loyal following.

Among their latest collections is Aterna, a high-end line crafted with Italian leathers and produced by master artisans in Alicante, Spain, and Crackled, inspired by the refined rusticity of the English countryside, with organic textures and soft, neutral tones.

Lisbon marks Lonbali’s first step beyond Spain. The brand has just opened its first pop-up in the heart of Príncipe Real, in collaboration with Flabelus — at Rua Dom Pedro V, nº 101 — from the 6th to the 13th of November. It’s an open invitation to discover a universe that blends colour, timelessness, and that unmistakable Spanish savoir-faire.

At Flabelus, the brand’s classic shopper bags — Born, Kensington and Kubu — will be on display, alongside the new Aterna and Crackled collections.
The Lonbali x Flabelus pop-up will be open daily, from 10am to 8pm, and promises to be more than just a showcase: a meeting point between two expressions of Spanish design — different, yet deeply connected. And perhaps, the beginning of a long love affair between Lisbon and Lonbali.

The Lonbali x Flabelus pop-up will be open daily, from 10am to 8pm.

Lonbali pieces, including the new Crackled collection, are also available online.

📍 Address: R. Dom Pedro V 101, 1250-094 Lisbon
🕰️ Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 10am–8pm