Staying in a hostel is not always synonymous with bunk-beds, shared toilets, food which leaves something to be desired and in general little space for intimacy. In Barcelona you can stay in luxury at competitive prices in places which right down to the last detail spoil those travellers who prefer this type of accommodation yet without sacrificing a smidgeon of comfort. What’s more, if they are aficionados of local customs and cuisine, then what more can they ask for?
One iconic place in the city- situated very close to our workshop – is Casa Gracia, which is considered the first luxury hostel for what it offers in terms of comfort, design, culture and food. It is a place which is integrated into the picturesque district of Gràcia and which stakes a claim for local district tourism as the best way of getting to know the essence of a city.
Casa Gracia has 145 different rooms available, from the most basic to the suites with balconies and patios which look out over the celebrated street Paseo de Gracia. The intention is to be able to welcome all manner of guests, from different countries of origin and with differing purchasing power, people who share the desire to mix with other travellers and to discover local life, far distant from the crowded areas and “beach flip-flops” tourism.
As we mentioned at the beginning, the most interesting facet of this tastefully decorated establishment is its gastro-cultural side, grouping together both tourists who are passing through and residents of Barcelona. It is a meeting- point for establishing conversations, sampling local-produce dishes, setting up informal meetings or simply sipping a large cup of coffee on one of the long sofas. Among the attractions available mention should be made of the bistro La Paisana, the cocktail-bar BIS, the private lounge for dinners Petit Bis or the multi-functional area De Tranquis. What’s more, this area also is a venue for book presentations, exhibitions and conferences open to the public ; recently the fashion dialogues Designer Fashion Experiences, in which we, as patrons, were participants, took place here.
If you are looking for a moment of relaxation, in the basement there is a small spa available to guests, whilst the lounge No Mas Té is an area given over to cultural events and yoga classes.
Just like home, or even better…
Casa Gracia, Designers Fashion Experiences, gratacos, Lifestyle Barcelona
The success of Designers Fashion Experiences
The first edition of the initiative Designers Fashion Experiences is drawing to an end, leaving behind a good taste in the mouth both for the organisers and the participants of the day-sessions, with enriching experiences which have served to strengthen both the professional career and personal life of the designers. “This format has helped participants to understand what are the essential nuts and bolts of the companies, both through positive situations of expansion and innovation and through other negative ones which have only made them stronger”, was the verdict of David Boix, the director of the initiative. A stimulus both for the young people just starting out and for companies such as Gratacós which are actively linked to this so talented industry.
The sessions of Designers’ Fashion Experiences took place last Autumn in Casa Gracia ( Passeig de Gracia 116 ) via 6 inspirational presentations given by Dolores Cortés, Llamazares y de Delgado, Miguel Suay, Jordi Dalmau, Oscarleon and Txell Miras.
Here you will find a résumée of each session:
1. Dolores Cortés
The Spanish company specialising in bathroom fashion set out differing points of view of the fashion industry, covering the family origins of the company from its beginnings until the present day and detailing certain concepts which are linked to the design of the collections. Dolores Cortés left those present with one very clear premise: the need to be faithful to brand values. In this case the company is linked with loyalty, honesty and the family, always bearing in mind the need to adapt to new times.
2. Llamazares y de Delgado
Fabrizio Pérez and Jaime Martínez are the designers of Llamazares y de Delgado, a company based in Barcelona which is tenaciously surviving the continual ups and downs within the sector. The keys to survival are via conscience, self-criticism, financing and relations with suppliers, without losing sight of the criterion of proximity to all processes: design, production, promotion and sales.
3. Miquel Suay
The Valencian designer concentrated specifically on the creative process and how he finds inspiration in his collections by adding valuable advice, such as how to give shape to an idea and where to source and research in order to survive and prosper day to day as a design professional. Creativity alone is never sufficient in order to be successful in the sector. Rather it must always be accompanied by good business-practice, applying market strategies.
4. Jordi Dalmau
The designer of bridal fashion explained to those present his motive for setting up as a brand, the family support in creating an artistic partnership, the limits that he continually crosses in order to remain innovative in the bridal-wear market. He emphasised the need for uniqueness in every design as a symbol of identity. One piece of advice remained imprinted on the students: “Giving up the fight means giving up everything.” He certainly will not throw in the towel.
5. Oscarleon
A graduate in design, pattern-making, stylism and image consultancy, the designer created his own collection in 1996 and since then has never stopped working for his own brand, an activity that he combines with the design of collections for other companies. In the session the designer took the opportunity to chat with participants about their own beginnings, making reference to the transformation of fabrics, financing and the balance betwen creation and production.
6. Txell Miras
The designer from Sabadell founded her own brand in 2004 and in this time has succeeded in giving a distinctive creative seal to her collections. Txell Miras chatted to the students about her experience with Neil Barret, with whom she worked for 13 years. She talked about starting out in business and the obstacles she overcame in order to survive in the complex market of creating a hallmark One final piece of advice :” Either study abroad or work in such a way that you are continually learning, so as to get the best out of every experience.” She says that on the basis of her own experience.
Designers Fashion Experiences has confirmed a second edition for 2017 and here at Gratacós they have our firm support. It is a pleasure to back initiatives like this one !
‘Fashion meets fashion’
A new initiative has been launched for the design sector in Cataluña which aims to interchange synergies through didactical meetings. It’s called Designers Fashion Experiences and consists of monthly meetings between designers, professionals and renowned celebrities of the sector both on a national and international level. It is an opportunity for fashion students to learn the business from different perspectives and enhance their professional career. An incentive for the students to pursue their careers with advice and new points of view through the voice of experience from those who have succeeded in the fashion industry.
In the 4th trimester of 2016, there will be 6 presentations carried out by the following designers: Dolores Cortés in swimwear, Llamazares y de Delgado, Miquel Suay, Jordi Dalmau in bridal fashion, Oscarleon and Txell Miras. The conferences will take place in Casa Gracia, situated in Passeig de Gràcia, 116. This multiplural space symbolizes a world of travels, comparable to the path the designers have to take to get to know the fashion world. Creativity, colour, composition, innovation and hidden textures amongst different cultures and destinations.
This space is ideal to transmit the experiences of the designers, explaining the details of the smallest and greatest moments, and sharing their experiences with the students who in the future will become fashion creators, nourishing a new generation of this creative industry.
Gratacós supports Designers Fashion Experiences. As a family business dedicated to textile and linked to established creators and new talents, every year we promote new initiatives associated with training and development of fashion students.
The first conference will take place the upcoming 28th September 15, 2016 and will last until December. The aim is to repeat the experience a second time round in 2017.
