As every year, the streets of Madrid light up again for Christmas. An illusion that returns with lights created by prominent Spanish fashion designers that will make the capital city’s symbolic and historical places shine thanks to the selfless collaboration that arises from the agreement signed between Madrid City Council and the Asocación de Creadoes de Moda de España (ACME).
Roberto Verino, García Madrid and Marta Rota for Tot-Hom are the creators joining Madrid's Christmas lighting this year. Their designs will illuminate the Plaza Mayor, the San Luis Network at the confluence of Montera Street with Gran Vía, and Goya Street, respectively.
The red tulle fir tree by Roberto Verino breathes and transmits Christmas both day and night. Accompanied by star-shaped lights, it pays tribute to “all those women who accompany us and raise the #estiloverino. For me, this task has been exciting from day one because it connects me with the sky and the stars that guide me. In my case, that star has its own name: Cris. She is, today, the driving force behind everything I do. I would feel deeply proud and happy, if I manage to convey all the love and emotion that I have put into this project, so that, in one way or another, the people who come to the Plaza Mayor enjoy it as much as I do admiring her light that accompanies every step I take,” explains the designer.
On the other hand, García Madrid presents a Christmas pine tree that, by magic, has been turned into a striking volcano full of light and color. “A tribute to the diversity of Madrid, the city that gave me friends, a profession and love,” adds Manuel García Madrid.
"Lighting the heart and sharing it with all its transformative energy has been my feeling and my impulse when drawing the Garlands of Light that will accompany the journeys and dreams of Christmas walkers in this wonderful city. The heart contains all the values and gifts of love: gratitude, empathy, generosity, kindness... and peace” explains Marta Rota.
Most of the proposals from the rest of the creators participating in the initiative remain in their emblematic locations. Juan Vidal's romantic design will illuminate Preciados Street with a bright red color and a big heart, while Maya Hansen once again takes on Montera Street through the world of skating, and the work of the graffiti artist Muelle closely linked to this place. True to his philosophy, Moisés Nieto pays tribute to the crafts on Arenal Street with a composition that forms meticulous circles in warm and vibrant colors evoking the 17thcentury artisan workshops. The stars with the colors of Ana Locking's LGTBIQ+ flag also return to Chueca Square, a tribute to what has been achieved over decades of effort, and to the utopian hope for a better world.
Additionally, the 10-meter-high Menina with 37,720 LED bulbs, plastic diamonds, sequins and silver balls designed by Andrés Sardá, in collaboration with the project Meninas de Madrid Gallery by artist Azzato and Madrid Capital de Moda, will once again be an obligatory stop in Paseo del Prado.
The works that change space are: the garland inspired by Duyo’s classic jewellery, which this year travels to Fuencarral street; Helena Rohner's fir tree, which tints green the Christmas night in Plaza de España, extolling the harmony of nature, and the luminous fir tree inspired by the origami exercises which are characteristic of the firm Devota & Lomba, adorning the esplanade leading to the Las Ventas bullring.
The union of ACME designers with Christmas in Madrid has a long history. This synergy began in 2006 and since then there have been many creators who have had the privilege of dressing-up Madrid with fashionable lights during the year’s most exciting festivities.
