Comporta Bliss

Sometimes compared to the Saint-Tropez of Brigitte Bardot in the 1950s, Comporta, with its relaxed pace and artistic community, is the ideal destination for those looking to wander off course. It’s the newfound favorite of personalities such as Jacques Grange, Farida Khelfa, François Dumas, the Espírito Santo family, and Madonna, who shares photographs of taking her kids to the beach and horseback riding in the dunes of nearby Carvalhal on weekends. This fishing village boasts swaths of beaches, patchworks of rice paddies, and an ecosystem filled with storks and frogs, all a serene backdrop for the striking homes found there: rustic cabanas and thatched-roof huts reflecting the carefree lifestyle that has become Comporta’s hallmark. This distinctive setting challenges the minds of architects and designers, yielding unique spaces that delightfully blur the line between interior and exterior. Within these pages, the region’s characteristic cobalt blue is reflected from the sky and sea to the walls, shutters, and design pieces that adorn its homes, both picturesque and bold. Discover the beauty and joy of simplicity with Comporta Bliss.

Carlos Souza is the worldwide brand ambassador for Valentino and has over forty years of experience in fashion. His career as a photographer was initiated by Andy Warhol, for whom he used to work photographing fashion shows for Interview. Known as an art world and fashion fixture, Souza is also an editor at large for Architectural Digest and contributing editor for Interview. Recently, his refined taste and passion for fashion inspired him to launch his own line of jewelry, Most Wanted Design. His book #Carlos’s Places was published by Assouline in 2014.

Charlene Shorto was born in Recife, Brazil and educated in Switzerland and Great Britain. She married Carlos Souza and had two sons, Sean and Anthony. The family moved to Rome, where Charlene worked in fashion with Valentino and became the director of Oliver by Valentino, traveling the globe to all press and fashion show events. Nowadays, Charlene lives in Lisbon, a city she has loved since childhood and where she has many dear friends. She has spent time in Comporta since her teen years, and this book demonstrates her passion for photography and her special eye for nature and decor.