Euroglam Featured by AWEC: From Portugal to Canada, Building a Sustainable Fashion Brand

We are proud to share a very special feature on Euroglam in AWEC — All Women Entrepreneurship Circuit.

In its Special Feature, AWEC shared the story behind Euroglam, from founder Doria Medeiros’ Portuguese roots to the creation of a Canadian fashion brand built around cork, craftsmanship, sustainability, and contemporary design.

For us, this feature is especially meaningful because it goes beyond the products themselves. It tells the story of how Euroglam began, the inspiration behind the brand, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the values that continue to guide us today.

From Portugal to Canada

Euroglam’s story begins in Portugal.

Founder Doria Medeiros was born in Portugal and later immigrated to Canada with her parents when she was nine years old. Years later, she returned to Portugal and developed a deeper appreciation for sustainable products, Portuguese craftsmanship, and the versatility of cork.

That connection eventually became the foundation of Euroglam.

What began organically with small cork purses and accessories made as gifts for friends and family quickly became something more.

The reaction to the uniqueness and sustainability of cork inspired Doria to introduce the material to a wider Canadian audience — and Euroglam was born.

A Brand Built Around Cork

At the heart of Euroglam is one extraordinary material: cork.

Our collections include handbags, purses, wallets, jewelry, accessories, backpacks, and other fashion pieces made using cork.

What makes cork so special is not only its appearance, but also its versatility.

It is lightweight, durable, naturally textured, water-resistant, and distinctive. Every piece carries its own character, making cork an ideal material for accessories that feel both natural and sophisticated.

Cork is also harvested from the bark of the cork oak tree without cutting the tree down. The bark regenerates, allowing cork to be harvested again over time.

For Euroglam, this combination of beauty, durability, heritage, and sustainability is what makes cork such an important part of our identity.

Where Sustainability Meets Style

As Doria shared in the AWEC feature, Euroglam is about merging sustainability with style.

Our collections are designed to be eco-friendly, vegan, and hypoallergenic while still feeling fashionable and contemporary.

Our goal has never been to create products that look “sustainable.”

We want to create beautiful pieces first — pieces that people genuinely want to wear — while allowing the natural qualities of cork to become part of the design.

That philosophy has shaped Euroglam from the beginning.

Sustainability should not have to mean sacrificing style.

Growing Euroglam as a Female Entrepreneur

The AWEC feature also gave Doria the opportunity to speak candidly about entrepreneurship.

Building a business while balancing family life and a full-time job has been one of the biggest challenges of the journey.

Running a niche sustainable fashion business also means continuously educating customers about cork, where it comes from, and why it is such a unique material.

But those challenges have also helped shape Euroglam.

Through persistence, support from family, and a strong community of like-minded entrepreneurs, the brand has continued to grow.

One of the lessons Doria shared with AWEC was simple but powerful:

Believe in your vision, stay true to your values, and don’t be afraid to start small.

For anyone beginning their own entrepreneurial journey, that mindset can make all the difference.

Community Matters

Being part of AWEC has also been an important part of Doria’s entrepreneurial experience.

The organization creates a space where women business owners can encourage one another, exchange ideas, collaborate, and navigate the realities of building a business.

For Doria, that sense of community has been one of the most valuable parts of being involved with AWEC.

Entrepreneurship can often feel very individual, but having a network of people who understand the journey creates opportunities for both personal and professional growth.

Euroglam is proud to be part of a community that supports women as they turn ideas into businesses.

Milestones Along the Way

The AWEC feature also reflected on some of Euroglam’s important milestones.

Among them was Euroglam’s participation in The Vegan Fashion Show and Planted Expo, where the brand had the opportunity to showcase cork accessories to audiences interested in sustainable, vegan, and ethical fashion.

These experiences have helped introduce more people to cork while giving Euroglam a platform to show how natural materials can belong within modern fashion.

From local markets and customer conversations to fashion shows and media features, each step has helped shape the brand.

Looking Ahead

Euroglam’s journey is still growing.

Looking to the future, our ambition is to expand the brand’s reach, introduce new designs, collaborate with other eco-conscious businesses, and continue participating in events that help bring sustainable fashion to a wider audience.

At the same time, we remain focused on what has always made Euroglam special:

Portuguese heritage.

Natural cork.

Thoughtful design.

And a belief that fashion can be beautiful, distinctive, and more connected to nature.

Thank You, AWEC

We are grateful to AWEC — All Women Entrepreneurship Circuit for sharing Doria’s story and giving Euroglam the opportunity to reflect on the journey so far.

Being featured alongside other women entrepreneurs is an honour and a reminder of how much can grow from a simple idea, persistence, and a willingness to start.

Thank you as well to everyone who has supported Euroglam over the years.

Every customer, collaboration, event, conversation, and feature has helped us continue sharing the beauty of Portuguese cork with Canada and beyond.