Jessica Silva & Saudade House Deliver a Masterclass in Storytelling Through Style
There are athletes who wear kits, and then there are athletes like Jessica Silva, who bring their whole world with them every time they step on the pitch. The Portuguese international and Gotham FC winger has always carried more than just speed and skill—she carries legacy, identity, and style with her.
In a recent collaboration with Saudade House, Silva steps into a space where fashion becomes biography. The project isn’t about selling clothes—it’s about sharing culture. Co-founded by creatives Jared Soares and Lucas Mendes, Saudade House is building a lane of its own, telling stories at the intersection of sport and identity. Their newest work with Silva is a visual tribute to both her roots and her individuality.
The story is in the rings
Silva’s story starts with seven rings—yes, literal rings—that she wears as everyday staples. One is engraved with portraits of her and her siblings. Another pays homage to her grandmothers. These pieces, chic at a glance, are layered with emotional gravity.
“The tender artifacts that we carry keep us close to the ones we love.”
In the hands of Saudade House, these details aren’t just accessories—they’re anchors. Symbols of family, memory, and the unshakable bonds that shape identity.
A Visual Language Rooted in Portuguese Culture
Shot in archive apparel from the Federação Portuguesa de Futebol, the visual campaign draws on deep Portuguese iconography to contextualize Silva’s modern story. The set nods to the Azulejo tilework that colors much of Portuguese architecture, with hints of lavender—the country’s national flower—woven throughout the composition. The shoot’s visual inspiration is pulled directly from the work of Portuguese futurist José de Almada-Negreiros, making it feel both timeless and ahead of its time.
But it’s more than a vibe—it’s a declaration. Silva isn’t just an athlete who happens to be Portuguese. She’s showing us what it means to be of a place and to carry that place with you, wherever you go—from Lisbon to Gotham FC to global football stages.
There’s no overproduction here. What makes this campaign work is its intimacy. Silva’s look is polished, but it’s not trying too hard. It reflects the moment we’re in—where sportswear doesn’t just cross into fashion, it is fashion.
The collaboration also leans into minimalism as a form of storytelling. The framing is clean. The colors are soft but resonant. Even the choice of props—a circular table, the placement of florals—echoes the campaign’s recurring theme: connection. As Silva said through the project’s caption:
“Circles are connection, the same as how a ball can create community across the entire globe.”
What Saudade House is doing here is bigger than a photoshoot. They’re offering a blueprint for how sports storytelling can evolve. Founded with the goal of elevating culture through visuals and styling, the agency is placing itself at the center of a creative shift that values depth just as much as design.
It’s also a smart move in a global football moment where culture is just as important as competition. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon and women’s football reaching new levels of visibility, this kind of work reminds us that every athlete carries a world with them—and when given the space to show it, the results can be unforgettable.
Jessica Silva has always played with heart. Now, through this collaboration with Saudade House, she’s showing the world the style, spirit, and heritage that power her game.
