Our Editor-in-Chief Raoul Keil has just got back from 080 Barcelona Fashion, a four day event showcasing 28 designers and brands and their Autumn/Winter 2013/14 collections. A buzz was in the air, with a record number of 28,000 people attending, and Raoul was delighted to be invited to join the judging panel. Here is his pick of the ones to watch from Barcelona…
First up was Sur, a brand new label launched at the event. Creative Director Laura Figueras is a Barcelona native based in the UK, who combines the sophistication of London with the heat and colour of the Mediterranean. The luxury womenswear label is feminine and floaty, with muted colours peppered with pops of pinks and yellows. Look out for the collection’s arrival in London this September with a pop-up store and showroom.
Later in the day, Josep Abril showed his menswear label, which he originally launched in 1996 whilst Creative Director for Armand Basi One. Since then, he has won the Gaudi Prize and the GQ award for best national designer for menswear. His collection featured dark colors of black, grey, and blue with fitted trousers and shirts and stylish business and casual wear.
The next day, Miriam Ponsa showed the garments which won her the La Roca Villa 080 Barcelona Fashion Prize for the best collection, one of several honours awarded to the Catalan designer. Her winning collection, ‘The Golden Harvest’, is based on honey pickers from tribes around Spain who follow the paths of flowers to the best beehives for cultivation. The inspiration is easy to see in the bee-keeping head pieces and hats with chiffon face coverings. Wool is the key element of the collection, which features flowing dresses and tops of muted colors. View it at: http://www.miriamponsa.com
Whether fashion veterans or first timers, all of the designers at 080 Barcelona Fashion impressed us with their bold and stylish creations. Information on the other participating designers and brands can be found at: http://www.080barcelonafashion.com/wordpress/fall-winter2013/.
Words / Schuyler Sorensen
Follow her on Twitter @Skye114
