On November 29th, Madrid City Council celebrated the long-awaited seasonal lightening up event that took place in Puerta del Sol. The Asociación de Creadores de Moda de España (ACME) once again joined in to celebrate Christmas in Madrid with different activities that will bring the magic of Spanish fashion to the city’s most emblematic places. Among them are light installations created by 15 prominent fashion designers in different parts of the city and a route to discover and purchase the best designer fashion. Two Christmas activities that can be explored thanks to two interactive maps now available in Todo está en Madrid and on its app.
15 Spanish fashion designers light up the streets of Madrid at Christmas
This initiative, active since 2006, is one of the most unique in the city’s Christmas program and arose due to the agreement signed between Madrid City Council and ACME. Pedro del Hierro, Juana Martín and Ulises Mérida are the three big names that join the project in this edition, bringing their unique creative vision to Calle Serrano, Calle Fuencarral and Plaza de Ópera respectively. In addition to these three new participants, we continue to enjoy the creations of the rest of the designers whom, for many years, have been a part of this already established tradition. Find out the locations and curiosities of all the pieces on this map in Todo está en Madrid.
Pedro del Hierro, under the creative direction of Nacho Aguayo and Álex Miralles (directors of womenswear and menswear), added the finishing touch to the fashion brand’s 50th anniversary; after an exhibition and a commemorative and unique fashion show, by transforming Calle Serrano into a mantle of luminous stars. Inspired by the beauty of a starry sky, the designers composed playful lighting that turns on and off subtly, seeking a sophisticated decoration that captures the magic of Christmas. “We didn’t want to use a lot of colours or create a lot of noise, but rather choose a classic and elegant decoration that is very effective, with the aim of creating emotion,” stated Nacho and Álex. Thus, with this project, Pedro del Hierro not only celebrates its legacy, but also invites everyone to enjoy a Christmas full of light in the city’s heart to close a year full of celebrations.
Juana Martín lights up Calle Fuencarral with a design featuring white roses, which symbolises “a sincere, eternal and happy love in harmony with the color white representing a child’s innocence waiting for his gifts from the Three Wise Men, the charm of the Christmas atmosphere that one can breath in the streets, the purity of love and the value of the family,” commented the fashion designer.
Finally, Ulises Mérida’s proposal revolves around the shooting star, a traditional Christmas symbol. His installation in the Plaza de Ópera includes a fir tree illuminated with warm colours such as red, orange and mauve “which becomes a whirlwind of stars with dynamic lighting. A helical moving image that starts from the base and reaches the top of the tree,” explains the designer.
Juan Vidal makes Calle Preciados shine with a romantic red heart. Maya Hansen returns to Calle Montera with a composition inspired by skating and the work of graffiti artist Muelle, linked to this iconic place, and Moisés Nieto honours the crafts on Calle Arenal, the artisan workshops in the 17th century, through a series of circles in warm tones that recall the crochet patterns used until recently to decorate houses.
On the Paseo del Prado is the 10-metre-high Menina with 37,720 LED bulbs, plastic diamonds, sequins and silver-coloured balls designed by Nuria Sardá, creative director of Sardá, in collaboration with the Meninas de Madrid Gallery project by artist Azzato and Madrid Capital de Moda.
On the other hand, Plaza de Chueca will once again be a tribute to diversity and LGTBIQ+ rights with stars by Ana Locking, which pay tribute to the collective effort for a fairer and more hopeful world. In Plaza Mayor, a red tulle fir tree designed by Roberto Verino transmits the Christmas spirit both day and night. While on Calle Goya, the message of peace in illuminated hearts created by Marta Rota for Tot-Hom invites reflection.
Among the new features are the new positions of the garland inspired by classic jewellery by Duyos, which travels to Calle Antonio López, and the fir tree by Helena Rohner, which tints the night green at the Red de San Luis. The Plaza Emperador Carlos V will have a fir tree by Devota & Lomba inspired by origami exercises, a pine tree by García Madrid will fill the Plaza Elíptica with light and Teresa Helbig returns with a fun and irreverent design in Villaviciosa – Calle Galicia that reflects her creative universe through lemurs that celebrate mischief, sensitivity and innate intelligence.
Designer fashion routes in Madrid. A journey through design, tradition and sustainability.
ACME and Madrid Capital de Moda (MCDM) propose this Christmas a walk through Madrid’s streets and neighbourhoods, the destination par excellence to discover and purchase Spanish designer fashion, unique in the world. A Made in Spain route that tours shops, ateliers and flagships of prominent fashion designers and brands to find exclusive and special gifts, choose new clothes and accessories to accompany us during the holiday season and to discover the talent of Spanish fashion creators while enjoying a different experience. A way to consciously celebrate Christmas.
