As part of an effort to balance her dyslexia and improve her mental health amid the severe challenges of the global pandemic, McLean transported her practice to Lisbon in the Autumn of 2020.

Through mixing disciplines, collaborators and research sites, Flora McLean conceived and delivered a series of live provocations that sought to explore new methods of co-creation within the restrictions enforced by the global pandemic. After a period of making props and hat designs inspired by artists Domenico Lancellotti and Tomás Cunha-Ferreira, three live events took place on 6, 19 and 26 November in the Espaço de Criaçao Raùl Vai Ao Teatro at the Escola de Largo in Lisbon. These improvised sessions served as cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary live art performances. Wearing her own hat designs and immersed in video projections McLean glided through a percussive beatbox backdrop on roller-skates, as an embodiment of design for performance. Audiences increased up to approximately 5-800 people per show over the run and included stylists and prominent local press.

During the same period of residency, McLean developed a new technique of hat making that uses traditional Portuguese macramé cotton string, crocheted into a form, stretched across a board with nails and dried in the sun. Portions were then blocked off with the remainder saturated with PVA glue for partial stiffening. The pieces she created were then exhibited alongside established and young artists at Gallery Casa 70 in Le Consulat for Lisbon Art Week. Curated by Elis Valadares and produced by Roberta Ristow, the 3 October opening was attended by 200 invited guests before being revealed to the general public.

In conjunction with this, McLean was inspired by RCA alumni Archie Dickens’ work to produce a collection of hats and eyewear employing her recently discovered techniques for ModaLisboa (Lisbon Fashion Week) commencing on 12 October 2020. The event was covered by press and circulated via social media.