Madrid Stages Breathtaking Fashion Event
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer
Madrid, Spain is known for its gorgeous plazas, ancient cathedrals and historical streets, but, nothing is as breathtaking as Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid. This year marks the 68thedition of the magical fashion event, showcased by innovative creativity coupled with an international flavor.
The shows, presentations and seminars began on July 6, 2018 and continued through July 11th, 2018, in locations across the grand city. The focus was centered on a strong commitment to sustainability while entertaining guests who traveled from far and wide to see all that MBFWMadrid had to offer.
The Trade Fair Institution of Madrid (IFEMA)can be credited with organizing MBFWMadrid, bringing together 47 outstanding designers and their Spanish brands.
Beginning on July 6th, brand new collections debuted in assorted parts of the capital, by direct invitation of the various brands such as Pilar Dalbat, Oteyza or Schlesser – with Daniel Rabaneda (as new creative director) and Shoop Clothing. In addition, the third edition of ‘UNDRESS by Desigual’ was held on the same day in Medialab Prado. It was a venue to debate and delve into how the freedom of aesthetic expression of the new generations are influencing the world of fashion, as well as the revitalization of fashion trades. In addition, the work of several professional craftsmen could be viewed and critiqued.
Also, with the support of the Community of Madrid and the City Council, the city held different activities around the influence of new trends that were unveiled during these exciting days. The setting was the Royal House of the Post Office (Real Casa de Correos) in Puerta del Sol, office of the current regional government of the Autonomous Community of Madrid, on the afternoon of July 11th, 2018. For those who desired to see the shows firsthand but didn’t have a personal invitation, the City Council of Madrid installed, in the framework of the program Madrid Capital de Moda (MCDM), a screen in Plaza Margaret Thatcher, near Paseo de la Castellana, where inquisitive fashion fans were able to watch the 68th edition of MBFWMadrid LIVE as well as receive information on other fashion projectsunderway and within the near future.
As a novelty, the young talents of Samsung EGOopened the entire program on Saturday, July 7th in Pavilion 14.1 at IFEMA. The opening washeaded by Constanza + Lab, winner of last edition’s Samsung EGO Innovation Project. Directly following was a real treat, the debut of the creations of eight young designers who sharedtheir new outlook on fashion with collections that intrigued an eager audience.
The designer Ágatha Ruiz de la Prada wasresponsible for opening the general program of the 68th edition of MBFWMadrid, on Sunday, July 8th, at 11:30 a.m. in the Mercedes-Benz Hall, in Pavilion 14.1 at IFEMA. Among the novelties of the established designers that stood out, the première of La Condesa in Pavilion 14.1; the return of the general program of the catwalk of Roberto Torretta and Menchén Tomás; the return of Pedro del Hierro at IFEMA. Each presentationwas filled with authentic fashion creations stirring whimsical emotions in the viewers. The show of Palomo Spain, after recently receiving the VOGUE award Who’s on Next 2018 was a huge hit along with the first catwalk presentation of Miguel Marinero’s summer textile collection and the Duarte and Juan Vidal fashion shows at the former Real Casa de Correos (current office of the regional government of the Autonomous Community of Madrid). Another favorite collection was ‘The Matador and the Fisherman’ presented by designer Carlota Barrera. Inspired by the confrontation of the man against the beast, the collection questioned which of the two embodies each role: on one hand, through the Spanish tradition of bullfighting, and on the other with the work of fishermen who fight against storms and marine beasts. Both worlds merged in the detailed embroidery, representing flowers, corals and seaweed. This love story between the matador and the fisherman, between the old tailoring and the new techniques of design and making brought forth a more contemporary vision for the future.
Seminars held at MBFWMadrid included the talk given by the prestigious journalist Jessica Michault, aimed at the designers participating in the catwalk, on the importance of digitalization in fashion to strengthen the business and the internationalization of its brands, which took place at the Only You Atocha hotel, one of the official hotels of this event.
Also, in the framework of this edition of MBFWMadrid, tribute was paid to the journalist Jesús María Montes-Fernández on the occasion of his 25th anniversary in the world of fashion, on the evening of July 9th in Pavilion 14.1 of Feria de Madrid.
Keeping with the theme of fashion and sustainability, in collaboration with environmental sponsor Ecoembes, MBFWMadrid carried out within the parameters of the circular economy, a sustainable show by the designer Juanjo Oliva. With his brand Oliva, he presented OLIVA COLLECTION, a collection made with fabrics created from recycled materials, mainly plastic bottles (PET).
MBFWMadrid 2018 is once again the platform chosen by major brands such as Mercedes-Benz, L’Oreal Paris and Samsung to reward the new and outstanding designers of Spanish fashion. Sponsored by L’Oréal Paris, awards were given for the best-established designer, the best beauty look and the best model. Mercedes-Benz chosethe most prominent emerging creator in this edition with its Mercedes-Benz Fashion Talent Award and Samsung presented the winning project of last edition’s Samsung EGO Innovation.
In its second edition of the year, the MBFWMadrid catwalk announces new dates and brings forward its days of celebration by two months, to open the calendar of the great international fashion shows, as in its previous edition this past January. In this way, the event advances in making the runway more universal in nature, one of its main objectives, avoidingoverlapping with other runways, and in turn, attracting the interest of a greater number of buyers and foreign press.
Photo Credit: Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid
