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The colourful City of Barcelona is one full of culture and aspiration and the 23rd edition of 080 Barcelona Fashion Week was a testament to that. Returning again to the outstanding venue that is Recinte Modernista Sant Pau, and its architectural genius, this season spread its wings further, inviting some designers from outside of Spain to showcase their collections to an eager audience.

Practically every show is packed with proud Catalonians, European and International press and fashion lovers who don’t want to miss out. A special guest this season was Umit Benan, the former Creative Director at Trussardi and critically acclaimed designer. At the intimate press conference, he spoke about his latest collection, controversially titled God Is Black (Part 2). In a world where the West dominates almost everything and where many assume God is white, Umit considers the Muslim view that God is a being of colour.

The collection itself is a tailoring marvel that asserts its masculinity. With shapes and silhouettes created to be worn by ‘real men’. Interesting colourful hues, luxurious fabrics and patterns are utilised with field jackets, leisure suits, caftans, classic sartorial coats and cardigans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GETU2GnMT0I&t=319s

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https://youtu.be/ydMsS-ozOsI

MANS CONCEPT – Best Emerging Designer Winner 2019

24-year-old designer Jaime Álvarez was born in Seville and he graduated from Fashion Design studies at the Istituto Europeo di Design (IED Madrid) in 2017. The young designer has successfully won the 080 Award for Best Emerging Designer by the Generalitat de Catalunya over the past two years and repeated his success with this collection, winning it again this season.

His latest collection titled Road To Goa took inspiration from his trip to India, fusing colourful fabrics with unique patterns where influences includ sacred Hindu symbolism and organics such as flowers, which play an important role within Indian tradition.

JNORIG

Javier Girón moved to Frankfurt aged 12 and went on to study and develop as a designer in both Europe and the United States (work alongside Jeremy Scott). However, the affect German culture had on his thought process and style is evident today. With his love for architecture and foreign cultures, his creative process is continually provoked. Like the last two collections, “Complex Minimalism” renews the idea of merging two opposite cultures. They looked to emerging the simplicity of Amish lifestyle and the complexity of Indian Tribes, who both live life with only limited resources.

Despite these influences, with the infusion of bold prints and bold silhouettes, the collection is thoroughly modern with an appealing street vibe.

“Prints, embroideries and silhouettes have been inspired by the Rabaris, while their black, white and red colour story is influenced by the way their men and women dress.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPG2vrwgW-I

KILLING WEEKEND

Killing Weekend is a contemporary young brand who put on a cool show. Encouraging you to live the life you long for, their inspiring ethos also ensures they have a ‘local philosophy’, keeping production of their own designs in Catalonia. This collection, titled ‘Zero Year’, explores common obstacles faced when trying to achieve your goal. The message is to be yourself, fight on and not allow the added weight of external problems hold you back.

“Killing Weekend aims to communicate through fashion a lifestyle based on being yourself, fighting for what you believe in and living the life you really want to live”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6g0YUF0o6dM&t=3s

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PABLO ERROZ

Founded in 2012, Pablo Erroz presents his latest collection ‘Up To You’ amidst the nostalgia of the late 80s and early 90s. The big screen, the small screen, pop music, exaggeration, yuppies – what a time. The protagonist has excessive ambition and is a super dreamer, longing for a world where they are the star. Shades and hues of yellow, browns, blacks, off whites and subtle points of water greens feature with frayed fabrics, prints on paillettes, fine cotton and Viscose.

“Seasonless, individualistic and genderless quality clothing made in Spain for multi-tasking world citizens.”

https://youtu.be/S4uWgHtq6QA

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ANTONIO MIRO
Antonio Miro has been dressing men and women for 40 years and his collections always embrace both elegant and contemporary designs. He cites his influence as his environment – art, cinema and music. This collection, titled ‘Rock’ explores the effect an artists image has on his fans. At times formal, the collection also boasts sexuality and works with skins, polyurethane, silk, tulle, cold wool and cashmere fabrics, to fortify that rock star vibe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFQUBL3pHSk&t=2s

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Barcelona, like any fashion week, can be demanding and draining at times, but with blue skies, the buzz of the people, great food and a few glasses of wine, the experience is more likely to elevate you, which is why it continues to evolve and grow every season. Make sure you check out the backstage photo-diary by David Garcia HERE and also check out the press event of Spanish actress Rossy de Palma with her perfume Eau de Protection HERE.

Written by Ian Cole, Editor-in-Chief

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