One in ten brides in the world marries in a wedding dress with a Spanish seal, a figure that supports the health of this industry endowed with an ample window abroad and which employs more than thirteen thousand people in more than seven hundred businesses, according to the latest figures from Barcelona Bridal Week.
"The Spanish bridal fashion is a magnet in the world. Spanish creators dictate bridal trends, we innovate, "explained Hannibal Laguna during the breakfast “60 Minutes of Fashion with EFE Estilo” held at the Intercontinental Hotel of Madrid in collaboration with the Asociación de Creadores de Moda de España (ACME) participated also by the designers Paula del Vas and Manuel Garcia, creative director and CEO of Garcia Madrid.
The relevant Spanish bridal fashion industry recorded last 2014 a 22.4% increase in exports over the previous year. "These figures refer to Spanish brands, not to manufacturing in Spain," points-out Laguna.
The expansion of bridal fashion in Spain dates back to the birth of trade show Gaudí Brides in 1990. "From that year on, Spain becomes an exporter of trends and today the world looks at our country, large labels as well as small family ateliers, " explains Hannibal Laguna.
Currently, the Spanish bridal industry lives sweet moments. "In bridal, design, Spain is a world power, which benefits exports," stated Paula Vas. The designer has been over 18 years creating couture bespoke garments and has a point of sale in Belgium.
García Madrid, who works in tailoring for men, arrived at bridal fashion by "chance", he reveals that in the last year his creations of suits for bridegrooms has grown by 25%. Until recently, the bridegroom rented the tuxedo, however now "he prefers to invest in a suit that he can capitalize over time," says Manuel Garcia, who has points of sale in Madrid, Santiago de Chile and is considering opening in Panama.
Brides do not skimp on expenses and invest in their dress. "Women have realized that, despite the increase in prize by 40%, they find it more economical to have a bespoke gown made than to buy one already made”, assures Laguna, who dresses brides worldwide, from Mexico to Dubai via Russia.