The 32nd edition of 080 Barcelona Fashion recently concluded after four days of presentations and 24 fashion shows, reaffirming the city’s status as a leader in avant-garde and sustainable fashion.
This event not only proved its role as a breeding ground for emerging designers with exceptional talent, but has also surprised the fashion world with innovative techniques, including digital and 3D art.
In addition to its commitment to innovation, 080 Barcelona Fashion has been a pioneer in promoting the reuse of garments and presenting fashion shows with second-hand clothes, with the aim of combating the negative impact of the textile sector on the environment.
The objective is to reverse the negative impact on the planet by the textile sector, the second most polluting industrial sector.
The 080 Barcelona Fashion and the legacy of the Gaudí catwalk
The origin of this revolution in avant-garde fashion is to be found in the now defunct Gaudí catwalk, which in the 1980s and 1990s was one of the most important fashion events in Spain.
On that stage, iconic designers such as Toni Miró, Jesús del Pozo and Paco Rabanne presented risky and innovative proposals. Barcelona became a laboratory of experimentation and creativity in fashion.
However, the Gaudí catwalk disappeared in 2002 due to the economic crisis and competition from other international catwalks. Five years later, 080 Barcelona Fashion took over with enthusiasm, under the tutelage of the Govern (Government of Catalonia).
Since 2013, this event has been held at the Sant Pau Art Nouveau site, a landmark declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The lasting impact of 080 Barcelona Fashion
Agnès Russiñol, in charge of the Consorci de Comerç, Artesania i Moda de Catalunya (CCAM), considers it “the main showcase of fashion and creativity in the textile industry in southern Europe”.
The most recent edition of 080 Barcelona Fashion attracted emerging firms that have won critical acclaim. Among them is Cherry Massia, which has dressed artists such as Aitana, Mala Rodríguez, Lola Índigo and actress Milena Smit.
Cherry Massia notes that this runway show appreciates its focus on emotional fashion, which addresses uncomfortable but universal topics such as mental health and suicide.
Likewise, Como la trucha al trucho, a Canarian firm specializing in colorful fashion for swimwear, cocktail and party wear, made a successful debut at 080 Barcelona Fashion, considering the Barcelona catwalk to be fresher and more daring than the one in Madrid (Mercedes Benz Fashion Week).
The continued success of 080 Barcelona Fashion lay in its focus on innovation and sustainability. The catwalk promoted eco-responsible fashion and counteracted the negative effects of “fast fashion”. It is also at the forefront of digital and 3D fashion.
