MEET DOCTOR & FOUNDER OF "PORTA COLLECTIVE"
CLARA RICARD
At OpéraSPORT, we believe that style is not only about what you wear but also about how you live. In our “Talks to” series, we sit down with inspiring voices who share how they take care of themselves, their families and their surroundings. This time we talk to Clara Ricard, who is a doctor and founder of Porta Collective, a company dedicated to guiding families with care and intention. Together we explore her approach to self-care, family rituals, and the little details – from meditation to a favorite stool – that make everyday life more meaningful.
S: Hi Clara!
C: Hi!
S: How are you right now?
C: Well, right now I’m breastfeeding, which makes me feel really calm and centered.
S: That’s beautiful. Okay, let’s dive in. First off, you look amazing in the new collection. Do you have a favorite piece?
C: The jeans. It’s amazing to wear jeans again, finally. They’re comfy but cool, and I love the embroidery detail on the back.
S: Same!
C: It feels like the kind of thing only cool kids get to wear.
S: Could you tell us a little about Porto Collective and what inspired you to create it?
C: I’m a doctor, and most of my career has been in child and adolescent psychiatry. When I was about to become a specialist, I realized many of the kids I met in acute wards were already very sick and in a really vulnerable place. I kept thinking, we should have been able to help them much earlier.
That’s the idea behind Porto Collective. To step in before things get that far. We support school children who aren’t thriving and offer the kind of help they actually need, whether that’s therapy, guidance for parents, or even physiotherapy. It’s not one-size-fits-all. The goal is to support the whole family.
S: So family really is at the heart of your work?
C: Exactly, it’s about supporting the whole family, not just the child alone.
S: What does family care mean to you in everyday life?
C: Big question. For me, it’s about noticing the small things. Daily life can look the same, but it’s the little details that make your family unique and meaningful.
S: That makes so much sense. I remember when I was burned out as a mom and trying to stop breastfeeding my son, you moved in for a few nights so I could finally sleep. It’s the most caring thing a friend has ever done for me.
C: I remember that! For me, helping others is also a way of taking care of myself. It gives me energy, it’s never draining, it actually feels good.
S: Do you ever do something just for yourself, to recharge?
C: Definitely! I need time alone to feel balanced. I never thought I’d be this person, but I actually meditate every day now.
S: Really?
C: Yes! My friends would be so surprised. I used to be very anti-meditation, but it actually works. Wherever I am, I can center myself and clear everything out for a while. Even a few minutes make a difference.
S: Do you always do it at the same time?
C: When I was learning, I did, usually mornings, just two to five minutes with music. Now it’s more flexible, sometimes 15 minutes, sometimes a walk or a bike ride. Before having kids, I used to run a lot to clear my mind.
S: What small rituals help you find balance as a mother, partner, and entrepreneur?
C: Coffee. And I’m not joking. A good cup of coffee is my little ritual. I use a very old-fashioned kettle, nothing fancy. But it’s something I look forward to every morning.
S: And what about slowing down with your family after a busy day?
C: For me, it’s more about mindset than the activity. If I’m relaxed, anything we do together feels good. It could be drawing, playing a game, or simply being together before bedtime.
S: How do clothes play a role in how you feel and carry yourself during the day?”
C: Well, if you feel good in what you’re wearing, you naturally have better posture and carry yourself differently. That in itself is empowering.
S: Do you have a piece that feels especially meaningful or empowering?
C: You just saw my closet, I'm a bit messy with my clothing! But honestly, it would be my old heels. I can actually walk in them, and they make me feel more feminine. I don’t wear them often, but whenever I want to feel a bit fancy, I’ll put them on.
S: We’ve just introduced our new stool, which for us is both functional and sculptural. What do you think about furniture in your home, purely practical or also emotional?
C: Both. With kids, things need to be functional, but I also want them to be beautiful. Aesthetics really affect your mood. It doesn’t have to be expensive. I’d rather wait for the right piece than fill the space with something that means nothing. In Denmark, where it’s dark much of the year, good lighting or a chair you love can completely change how it feels to come home.
S: Do you have a piece of furniture that feels like a little sanctuary?
C: Yes, the mobile above my baby’s crib. My sister is a goldsmith, and she made it. She’s so detailed in her work, and when it moves with the wind, it has a calm, flowy feeling. The kids love it, but I also find it beautiful. You shouldn’t underestimate aesthetics just because it’s for children.
S: If you could give one piece of advice to families, what would it be?
C: It starts with the parents. Ask for help when you’re stressed, so you can come home with energy to be present. Kids sense everything, and when you give them presence, they give you so much back.
S: That makes so much sense. I need to remember that. We’ve been talking so much about caring for others, family, and even clothing. What’s one thing you’re doing this week just for yourself, to take care of yourself?.
C: Meditation. It’s the one thing I never skip, even if it’s just a few minutes. It makes all the difference. And honestly, doing this interview is something for myself too. It’s a nice thing to put in my calendar, to step out of the everyday rhythm and reflect.
S: I love that!
