I regret starting this blog being in opposition to the wise tango lyrics that say that about thirty years being nothing, because as far as Spanish fashion is concerned, in these three decades of life that the madrileño runway has just celebrated things have not ceased to happen. Do not be afraid, I will not begin with an endless list I just want to leave in writing that the professionalization of the sector is the key element of this process. Each one developing their own formula, the names that have survived these years is because they have found their niche in the market, because of air, one does not live, not even fashion designers however thin they might be. I do not know if many people will be in agreement with me in this, but to continue being in opposition – which is something I believe is an exercise to be practiced to develop the mind – and analysing recent events of some significance, I disagree with those who say that the Goya Awards were not ‘dressed’ in Spanish fashion. In the pink carpet we have seen parading the creations by Teresa Helbig, Davidelfin, Roberto Verino, García Madrid, Ana Locking, Nicolas Vaudelet, Juanjo Oliva, Jorge Vázquez, Adolfo Dominguez, Devota & Lomba, Miguel Marinero, Pedro del Hierro, Anton Heunis … Shall I continue ? Ulises Mérida, Sybilla, The 2nd Skin Co., Cortana, Tot-Hom, Mirto, Lorenzo Caprile, Lander Urquijo, Dolores Promesas ...
That they could have been more? I absolutely do not doubt it, but as Modesto Lomba always says, it is not good for Spanish fashion to be concentrated in ghettos, and I believe it is very healthy that local brands are confronted in a fair fight with global ones… And that they rise victorious – or not – from the wager.
And proving that something is moving, one only has to mention mention the fact that the British Council Madrid, a benchmark for excellence in teaching, has decided to trust a Spanish designer to create a new uniformity for the school’s students, or as well, any of the ‘survey’ trips to our country by different fashion entrepreneurs from countries like Ecuador or Arab Emirates. They have attended fashion shows, visited shops and showrooms or held conversations with designers and brand managers. Perhaps from these visits something arises … or maybe not, but the fact that they have travelled many miles to learn what’s happening in fashion design in Spain, is already very significant (I promise to continue reporting). By the way, the two representatives of the investment group from Emirates assured me how well known is in all the Gulf countries Amaya Arzuaga, to whom yesterday, the Kings, presented her with the National Award for Fashion Design 2013. A delivery with some delay, but as the saying goes, better late than never, and in this case I wish to add that the recognition arrives to confirm the worth of someone who has spent two decades persisting in this complicated world. Don’t 20 years mean a lot?
Amaya Arzuaga fall/winter 2015-16
