LISBON, March 17 (Xinhua) -- The 42nd edition of the Portugal Fashion festival got under way on Saturday with a series of catwalk shows at the new Lisbon cruise ship terminal.

According to the pre-show publicity, the organizers chose the location "to create a dialogue between fashion and architecture."

The terminal, which opened in late 2017, was designed by Carrilho da Graca, a renowned Portuguese architect.

"The new cruise ship terminal symbolizes modern Portugal, open to the world," Portugal Fashion spokesman Rafael Alves Rocha told Portuguese Lusa News Agency.

"It's an opportunity for designers to present their collections in a contemporary, urban, cosmopolitan setting," he added.

Designer Carlos Gil was certainly feeling the urban vibe with a collection called "Twenty Four Hours," inspired by city's that never sleep. He took 1970s and 80s styles and gave them a modern makeover, applying sharp cuts to outfits of bright oranges and purple, silvers and sequins.

Gil topped the bill alongside Teresa Martins, who gave the final show of the night. Her collection was also bright and bold, but it found inspiration in the countryside, being entitled "Forest path, a journey within."

In all there were seven catwalk shows with models parading on an improvised runway in the terminal foyer.

Portugal Fashion is, along with ModaLisboa, the premier fashion industry event in Portugal.

Like ModaLisboa, which took place last weekend, Portugal Fashion is a biennial event, with these collections focused on Fall/Winter, but it is primarily based in the north of Portugal, specifically in Porto.

After its Lisbon launch, the show will hit the road ready for parades in Porto on March 22, 23 and 24.

Portugal Fashion is organized in conjunction with Portugal's Textiles and Clothing Association. The north of Portugal has traditionally been the textiles and clothes manufacturing heartland.