Fernanda Rodrigues leads the team of seamstresses who gives life to the costumes of the troupe "Geringonça". It is a work done by taste and is noted for her constant enthusiasm when she talks about the good times she shared over the years with several generations of locals who help fill color and joyful din the streets of Funchal.
How long you need to start and finish all the costumes for carnival?
Fernanda Rodrigues: It's not just me, are six seamstresses. It is a process that takes time, about a month and a half to be all ready. People come here to try it out, make the first and second fit. We started to take measures in December and then make some costumes already.
Each piece can take how much?
FR: How the basis are bikinis and has many applications we can take a day. What is the most delay is the Bahian costume, which is a long dress, has a petticoat, is rounded, a person must be working on these pieces from morning till night.
How long are you worked with this troupe?
FR: for twenty years or so.
What has been the changed in these twenty years?
FR: There are many people who are the same, but are always new faces showing up. But otherwise has not changed. The base of the team is always the same, some years the applications need more work and others not. Until the final moment there is always something to do, however we are early, we arrive at the time there's always a hitch, is part of the tradition. (Laughs)
Of all the costumes that you conceived, which was what constitutes a challenge in terms of sewing?
FR: The year of Egypt had a lot of work. It was all very short notice, I will never forget because it was the worst. It had many applications and details.
What do you prefer the carnival or the flower festival?
FR: I prefer the carnival, is happier, are more days. We have the big parade on the avenue, then go to the hotels. I only attended once as Bahian, never out on the streets after that. I'm always in the technical team.
But did you not like the experience?
FR: Yes, I really liked it. But, it made a impact on me during the parade, some of the girls had something to straighten, or when the sewing was wrong. It is always necessary to support the kids, but there are times when they do not need anything.
How many hours you and the team spent on this task of sewing the costumes?
FR: It's an after-work schedule. We are here since the 19 hours until midnight, one o'clock in the morning and closer to the pageant if necessary we stayed all night.
After going to work?
FR: Yes, I then go to work, I do it for fun.
De todos os fatos que concebeu, qual foi o que constitui um desafio em termos de costura?
FR: O ano do Egipto deu muito trabalho. Foi tudo muito em cima da hora, nunca o vou esquecer, porque foi o pior. Tinha muitas aplicações e pormenores.
Qual é a que prefere o Carnaval ou a festa da flor?
FR: Prefiro o carnaval, é mais alegre, são mais dias. Temos o grande cortejo na avenida, depois vamos para os hotéis. Eu só participei uma vez como baiana, nunca mais sai depois disso. Vou na equipa técnica.
Mas, não gostou da experiência?
FR: Sim, gostei muito. Mas, fazia-me impressão estar a desfilar e ver as miúdas com alguma coisa para endireitar, ou quando se descosia. É sempre necessário dar um apoio aos miúdos, tem alturas em que não é preciso nada.
Quantas horas toda a equipa gasta nesta tarefa de coser os fatos?
FR: É um horário pós-laboral. Estamos cá desde as 19 horas até meia-noite, uma da manhã e mais perto do cortejo se for necessário ficámos toda a noite.
Depois vão trabalhar?
FR: Sim, vamos trabalhar, faço isto por gosto.
