Fortuny is back!
On Friday 3rd June Granada will hold the 6th Edition of the Pasarela Fortuny.
This event showcases Andalusian fashion. A bi annual event, it has proved over past editions to be of interest at a national level for Spanish designers.
Mariano Fortuny
The name of the Fortuny show comes from the painter & designer Mariano Fortuny. Born in 1871 in Granada. This artistic family lived in Granada but then moved to Paris and later to Venice in 1889.
Mariano was a painter and also had a clear talent in textiles too. One of the most well-known works of Mariano Fortuny is the Delphos Gown. A floor length sleeveless robe, it was first created in 1907.
Inspired by an Ancient Greek statue, the charioteer of Delphi, this changed perspectives in women’s attire. Delicately pleated in silk it freed women from the restraints of the typical corsets of the time. These iconic pleats were called Fortuny pleats by society ladies back then.
Caja Granada BMN Building
The 6th edition of the Fortuny Fashion show will be held at the Caja Granada BMN headquarters, on the Southern edge of the city. This modern building is known affectionately by locals as the cube ´El cubo´. Around 20 years old now this contemporary construction was designed by Spanish Architect Alberto Campo Baeza.
A concrete and stone box trapping sunlight to create an impluvium of light
With an impressive inner courtyard with four large columns. These pillars have same dimensions as those of Granada Cathedral. Right in this space is where the Pasarela Fortuny will be set up.
Pasarela Fortuny
Each edition showcases young Spanish designers. The best collection will be awarded with a price of €3000 for 1stplace. There will also be an ´accesit´ (or runner´s up prize) This edition as previoulsy is organised by the Escuela de Arte de Granada (Granada Art School)
The catwalk show is made up of two parts. The first part features twelve fashion students and their collections. These students applied to the Young Designers Fortuny 2016. The best entries are selected by a expert panel over the last few months. (Entry is organised severla months ahead of the show and is open to International entries too.)
The second part of the show is by four Spanish designers with collections selected for this sixth edition. Elogy, Sin Patrón, Leyre Valiente and Mercedes Mercado.
Elogy
Elogy at El Corte Inglés are sponsors of the catwalk show. This pratical women´s brand has a mid range price tag and wearble brights for Spring/Summer 2016. Look out for summer dresses, prints and bold capri pants.
Juanjo Oliva has created a capsule collection of Special occasion wear for Elogy SS2016.
Sin Patrón
Alberto Echevarrieta presents his collection Sinestesia AW/SS at Fortuny 2016. This basque designer based in Northern Spain finds inspiration in Martial Arts or in Hitchcock films. Previously he lived in Edinburgh and worked in Set design, he has been designing female fashion since 2002. Rejecting traditional patterns, he works directly on the model or mannequin, drawing his design only when necessary. (hence his name, Sin patron, without pattern)
In Bilbao his atelier offers made to measure service to his clients. His pieces are unique and made with the client in mind, individual garments designed specifically for that person.
Mercedes Mercado
Last summer I saw some of Mercedes Mercado´s designs in at a charity catwalk. Filled with charcterful her designs won´t leave you indifferent. This young Granada designer has been growing in confidence over the past 4 years. This year her SS2016 collection at Pasarela fortuny is ´Rock & Charol´ Rock and Shine (literally Patent leather)
Looking forward to see what this talented designer has in store for us.
Leyre Valiente
With an Atelier and Shop in Madrid (C/ Gonzalo de Córdoba, 7) Leyre Valiente has several collections and also does Jewellery design too. At Pasarela Fortuny she presents her colleciton ´Martians Go Home´
With an interesting fashion career already progressing well, Leyre was recognised by the Chinese magazine Xishang as the Best Avant-Garde Designer last year.
Fernando Cara will be taking care of the make up and hairstyling of models during Fortuny 2016. It´s certainly looking like a promising show.
I be live tweeting & instagramming on Friday evening.
Follow me on @piccavey to see exclusive pictures of the event
Meanwhile here´s a video from Pasarela Fortuny 5th Edition:
