HEADER IMAGE: Outsiders Division Campaign by Carlos Montilla
080 Barcelona is back, and it’s bigger than ever! This season continues to showcase fashion designers making a positive impact, blending up-and-coming local talents and seasoned industry leaders in a packed four-day program.
Despite not being one of the four primary fashion weeks, 080 Barcelona Fashion remains just as bustling as the industry-leading events in New York, Paris, London, and Milan. Just two weeks ago, during a press conference, the event organisers noted that this season had reached “maximum capacity,” prompting discussions about expanding the venue for future seasons to accommodate its growing popularity.
Jaume Baró, the secretary of business and competitiveness for the Generalitat of Catalonia, emphasised that this year’s edition will be “more international than ever,” highlighting that the event has attracted approximately 100 applications from international media and influencers eager to attend and also announced that none other than Louis Vuitton as the leading sponsor. The luxury house has committed to nurturing the city’s creative energy following its involvement in the America’s Cup and its recent fashion show in Parc Güell.
Last season, we caught up with Dominnico Creative Director Domingo Rodríguez Lázaro post-show, who praised 080 Barcelona Fashion for its integral support. “080 Barcelona Fashion is a great support of local talents, and I am very happy to be showing my collection here right now,” he shared with BRICKS Founder Tori West. “We have always felt so supported by the organisation, and this is something very important to us—the human factor.”
As well as nurturing local creatives, sustainability is also at the forefront, with the organisation publishing the key points of their commitment in a press release ahead of the event including an outline of their commitment to casting inclusive models. However, despite these significant strides, Marta Coca, the event director, emphasised that the organisation no longer wants to “speak openly about diversity and sustainability,” suggesting that these values are now deeply ingrained in the platform’s DNA and should be considered the norm. Preach!
Ahead of its latest offering, we select some of our standout, not-to-be-missed collections from this season’s stellar lineup of 24 designers and brands.
DOMINNICO
Perhaps one of the most anticipated showcases each season; chances are, you’ll discover a fashionably dressed crowd outside the show space watching the live stream due to the venue hitting max capacity. Last season, Dominnico fused a collection packed with nostalgic 90s and sports-core shores references, combining nautical stripes, lattice ropes and dixie cup hats in a sugary-sweet colour palette for a flirty runway show. While we’re likely to spot some big names, previous seasons saw TikToker-turned-viral-musician Aliyah’s Interlude and Spanish creative Sita Abellán, hit the runway; one thing is for sure, designer Domingo Rodríguez Lázaro will bring another eclectic and overloaded collection to 080 Barcelona Fashion.
OUTSIDERS DIVISION
Outsiders Division creates adult-sized clothes inspired by the children’s section, which are playful and blended with a nonconformist spirit. This season is no different. Founder David Méndez Alonso draws on emotions and embraces contradictions, blending preppy and punk styles with vibrant colours and imaginative designs. Titled ‘LOS NIÑOS PERDIDOS’, which translates to ‘THE LOST CHILDREN’, we anticipate the brand’s newest collection will emerge directly from the toy box once more.
080 REBORN
080 Reborn is set to return this season – a collection made from clothes from recycling centres and secondhand shops. The goal is to upcycle and reuse materials, extending the lifespan of fabrics while reducing the fashion industry’s environmental toll and promoting the reuse of clothing by many people. Styled by Fermín + Gilles, the aim is to showcase a cutting-edge fashion line that reimagines how we use and dispose of our clothes and the impact that has on the planet.
ÁLVAR MERINO
David Merino, the visionary behind the Álvar Merino brand, sees himself as a dreamer with an old-school sensibility. His diverse skill set, captivated by traditional crafts, earned him the prestigious Best Emerging Designer Award in Castilla y León in 2021. This upcoming collection focuses on the skin as a living canvas, reflecting the relationship between the self and its outer covering. Each piece celebrates the skin’s ability to mutate and adapt, with tones and textures that evoke its elasticity and vulnerability. Fashion is presented as an extension of the body, complex and ever-changing like those who wear it.
To keep up to date with all our 080 Barcelona Fashion coverage this week, head to the BRICKS’ Instagram and drop our team members Tori West and Rachelle Cox a follow for more behind-the-scenes coverage. We’re also bringing BRICKS Collective member Miranda Lorenzo for the ride this season! Hope to see you there!
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