“Custom design goes far beyond making a garment,” Maria explains. “There is a process of listening, interpreting, and creating that gives every dress its own meaning.”
Maria’s passion for design began in childhood. Inspired by Disney princesses, she spent countless hours imagining costumes and creating new versions of the characters that filled her imagination. As she grew older, the city where she was raised became another important source of inspiration.
Rio de Janeiro is reflected in her work through vibrant colors, a sense of lightness, and a strong connection to beachwear culture. During university, one of her most memorable projects was a bikini collection that combined elements of Rio’s lifestyle with holographic finishes inspired by international beach clubs.
International experiences also broadened her creative perspective. During a visit to Canada, Maria closely observed the urban style found throughout the city. The prominence of streetwear and the strong presence of urban art in places such as Graffiti Alley particularly caught her attention.
“It was interesting to see how a city influences the way people dress,” she recalls. “Without even realizing it, I found myself choosing outfits that reflected that aesthetic during the trip.”
While acknowledging the cultural differences between Brazil and Canada, Maria believes fashion serves as a universal language capable of connecting people, styles, and stories.
Today, as the founder of Pour Toi, Maria divides her time between design, personalized client consultations, and business management. According to her, one of the greatest challenges of entrepreneurship has been building the company while learning to balance creativity with administrative responsibilities.
Despite those challenges, she considers craftsmanship and attention to detail to be the atelier’s greatest strengths. Every project goes through multiple stages of development, including research, sketching, material selection, fittings, and personalized adjustments.
“Each client comes with a different story,” she says. “My role is to transform that story into something that can be worn.”
For Maria, fashion remains a powerful form of self-expression. In an industry increasingly driven by speed and mass production, she advocates for an approach rooted in exclusivity, meticulous attention to detail, and a genuine appreciation for each client’s individual vision and desires.
Interview with Maria Junqueira
WAVE: How was the Pour Toi atelier born, and when did you realize you wanted to turn your passion for fashion into a business?
MARIA JUNQUEIRA: Pour Toi came about in a very unexpected way. Throughout my university years, I never had the desire to own a business. However, shortly after graduating, I began to see things from a different perspective. I felt a growing desire to showcase my work and connect with others in the industry who shared similar values and a similar creative vision.
WAVE: Have drawing and creating always been part of your life? What childhood influences and experiences from Rio de Janeiro still appear in your collections today?
MARIA JUNQUEIRA: Absolutely. Drawing and creating are a fundamental part of who I am. Since childhood, I was always sketching something, including in my school notebooks. Not everything I drew was related to fashion—I drew a little bit of everything.
As for inspirations, like many young girls, my biggest influences were Disney princesses. I loved imagining new outfits for them and could already picture those designs being brought to life. There’s nothing quite like a child’s imagination.
Beyond Disney characters, as a true Carioca, I could never say that Rio de Janeiro has not inspired my work. One of the most memorable projects I developed in university was a swimwear collection featuring holographic finishes. The idea was to blend Rio’s beachwear culture with a touch of glamour inspired by international beach clubs. It remains one of my favorite projects from my academic years.
WAVE: You had the opportunity to experience Canadian fashion. What were your impressions of the style and fashion market in Canada? Was there anything that particularly inspired you?
MARIA JUNQUEIRA: Although my visit to Canada was unfortunately very brief, I had the opportunity to spend a few days in Toronto immersed in the local culture. I’ve always been very observant, especially when it comes to clothing and personal style.
I noticed a strong streetwear influence among many of the people I saw. Looking back at the photos from that trip, I realized that streetwear is not actually my dominant personal style and never has been. However, after spending several days in Toronto and visiting Graffiti Alley a few times, I noticed that, unconsciously, I ended up choosing outfits and visual elements that reflected the aesthetic I was observing around me.
WAVE: Even though owning a brand was not your original dream, you now run your own atelier. What has been the biggest challenge in your entrepreneurial journey within the fashion industry?
MARIA JUNQUEIRA: Without a doubt, the biggest challenge has been building and structuring the business itself. The beginning was somewhat turbulent because I genuinely didn’t know where to start when it came to creating a company from scratch.
I sought advice from friends and colleagues who had already been in the industry longer, trying to understand how to take my first steps in a more structured way. Entrepreneurship is a continuous job—you never really stop. I often compare it to raising a child. The commitment, responsibility, and love you invest in your business must be constant. It’s a daily process of building something meaningful, one that requires dedication, resilience, and passion.
WAVE: Fashion is often a form of personal expression. What do you believe a woman is looking for when she chooses a piece created by your atelier?
MARIA JUNQUEIRA: The mission of Pour Toi has never been simply to make custom dresses. Bespoke fashion is a deep, thoughtful, and highly personalized process.
I believe that women who come to us are often seeking to celebrate or reconnect with their own individuality and the way they wish to present themselves to the world. Our role is to translate that essence into a garment created exclusively for them.
Every client carries a unique story, and I have the privilege of listening to those stories and transforming their wishes, inspirations, and emotions into something tangible. Creating a piece from scratch that communicates exactly what a woman wants to express is one of the most rewarding aspects of my work.
I often say that the atelier serves as a bridge, where the final garment communicates everything a client wants to express—without her having to say a single word.
WAVE: What does your creative process look like, from inspiration to the finished garment?
MARIA JUNQUEIRA: This is definitely one of the most enjoyable parts of my work. That said, every designer has their own way of creating and developing ideas.
Before I begin sketching, I like to gather references—shapes, textures, silhouettes, colors, styles—anything that can spark inspiration. I also ask clients to bring personal references so we can align our ideas and better understand the message they want the garment to convey.
After this research phase, I begin sketching initial concepts and shaping the first version of the design. Once the client approves the sketch, we discuss fabrics, materials, and trims.
With the design finalized and materials selected, we create the garment’s foundation using unbleached cotton. This stage allows us to test the pattern and conduct the first fitting. We use cotton to avoid cutting the final fabric before all important structural and design decisions have been made.
Following the first fitting, we move on to the chosen fabric and build the structure of the dress, still without many details or finishing touches, for the second fitting.
By the third fitting, the dress is much more developed. The structure is taking shape, details are coming to life, and the final result becomes easier to visualize.
By the fourth fitting, the garment is usually almost complete, requiring only minor adjustments. If the client wishes, we schedule a fifth and final visit for finishing touches and the delivery of a truly exclusive creation.
WAVE: The fashion industry is extremely competitive. What do you believe sets Pour Toi apart from other brands?
MARIA JUNQUEIRA: The competitiveness of the fashion industry can sometimes feel discouraging. However, over time and with experience, I learned to see it differently. I believe there is always room for new people and new perspectives. Fashion is a vast, diverse, and constantly evolving world filled with opportunities for exchange, inspiration, and innovation.
With that in mind, Pour Toi’s mission is to celebrate craftsmanship, attention to detail, and, above all, the individuality of every client who comes to us. We never aim to erase a client’s story or essence.
Our goal has never been mass production. Instead, we focus on offering a truly personalized and thoughtful process that translates each woman’s essence, giving her the attention she deserves so she can express herself authentically and confidently, without fear of judgment.
WAVE: What are your future dreams for the atelier? Is bringing your creations to other countries, such as Canada, part of your plans?
MARIA JUNQUEIRA: As I mentioned before, I see my business almost as a child, and because of that, I have big plans for it.
I dream of opening a physical space in Rio de Janeiro where I can showcase past creations that carry not only aesthetic value but also deep sentimental meaning. When I imagine the future of the atelier, I picture a house in Jardim Botânico or Gávea—a welcoming space where I can receive women from all walks of life who share a common desire: to express their individuality and bring out the best version of themselves through a dress.
My ultimate goal has never been recognition. I have always viewed fame as a consequence rather than a destination. Of course, being recognized for your work is incredibly rewarding, but it is not what drives me.
My greatest reward has always been, and continues to be, the opportunity to create unique pieces for unique women, translating their stories, personalities, and individuality into something they can wear and make their own. |||
- More about the Atelier Pour Tois, de Maria Junqueira, Instagram (in Portuguese)
Disclaimer: This English translation was generated by ChatGPT (OpenAI) and is published without editorial revision. While every effort has been made to preserve the meaning and tone of the original Portuguese text, minor variations in wording or interpretation may occur.
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