Portuguese fashion brand ISTO announced a strategic partnership with Altaz Capital this week. The alliance represents “a significant step forward” in the brand’s international growth objectives in a “constant and sustainable” manner. Altaz Capital is an investment and operations company specialising in supply chain optimisation, operations, logistics, international expansion, and financial strategy. 

The brand emphasised in a statement that Altaz Capital, headquartered in Lisbon, “is known for its collaborative and operational approach, working side by side with companies to implement solutions rather than just financing them.” ISTO also announced that, as part of this partnership, which takes effect immediately, Sérgio Massano has joined Pedro Palha and Pedro Gaspar at the helm of ISTO as managing partner, and André Flórido has assumed the role of CFO.

Pedro Palha, co-founder and CEO of ISTO, commented on the collaboration: “When thinking about the next step for ISTO, we wanted to ensure that we had the right expertise and partners to work with us daily. Altaz Capital is exactly that kind of partner. Their team brings global experience and connections, with critical knowledge in strategy, operations, and finance, which will help us strengthen our base and grow internationally at the right pace. Plus, we’ve come a long way – from when ISTO was just an idea in our minds.”

Founded in 2016, ISTO is committed to 100% national production and has positioned itself as a transparent fashion brand since its launch. This is reflected in the publication of impact reports for each garment it produces, as well as the cost of production and materials used in each item.

Sérgio Massano, managing partner of Altaz Capital, said: “This partnership reflects our confidence in the ISTO team and our belief in the brand’s potential for significant global expansion. Just as importantly, we share and strongly support their commitment to transparency and sustainability, fundamental values for long-term success in today’s world. Together, we are dedicated to building a business that not only offers exceptional products and growth but also sets the standard for responsible, open, and sustainable practices across the industry.”

Betting on international growth 

In concrete terms, ISTO anticipates a tenfold growth over the next 30 months in terms of e-commerce and stores, Pedro Palha told FashionNetwork.com, adding: “We plan to open a new store in the coming months, as well as expand into the UK and US markets.”

In these two markets, which the CEO identifies as “the most important” at this stage of growth, the company is already in contact with logistics partners to provide warehousing, logistics, and local distribution.

Thus, within two and a half years, ISTO plans to open two to three stores, with London, Madrid, and New York being the priority destinations. Currently owning four stores in Lisbon (Campo de Ourique, Príncipe Real, Chiado, and Amoreiras), the goal of establishing an international presence is not new. In addition to various temporary experiences in cities such as London, Haarlem (Netherlands), Berlin, and New York, ISTO established a permanent presence in the German capital in May 2024.