As usual since 2000, Pantone has unveiled the colour that will prevail next year and will directly influence areas such as fashion, design or decoration. Thus, 2018 will be dyed Ultra Violet. An intense, genuine and revolutionary purple tone that, we have seen for instance in one of the most iconic costumes worn by the deceased Prince or the colour that flooded his house after the news of his death.
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According to the authority of colour, this tone “evokes a style of counterculture, the grip of originality, ingenuity, visionary thinking that leads us into the future,” according to Laurie Pressman, Pantone’s vice president. A choice that corresponds to a longing that the world needs: “We live in complex times. We see the fear of going forward and how people are reacting to that fear. “ The colour, Pressman adds, “is one of the most complex because it takes two shadows that seem diametrically opposed, like blue and red, and joins them together to create something new.” The ultra violet leans more to blue than to violet, “which speaks of the spiritual quality of the conscience”.
How will it be worn?
Ultra Violet is a cold and vibrant color that adds a certain mysticism. This unique combination of red and blue is easier to match than you might think initially. In fashion, for example, it can be combined with gold and silver among other metallic tones to give it that luxurious and dazzling look. In contrast, mixed with greens or greys, it “evokes natural elegance,” according to Pantone.
Brands such as Raf Simons, Ralph Lauren or Hugo Boss have already uploaded it on the catwalk in Autumn looks. The purple fever continues also in Spring. This has been portayed in the Moschino designs presented at the Milan Fashion Week last September.
More symbologies
As we pointed out at the beginning, this colour is closely linked to creativity and is related in areas such as music. Artists like David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, Prince or Katy Perry have worn it on more than one occasion. Even Richard Wagner surrounded himself with Ultra Violet when he composed. This tone was also used by the British suffrage movement of the early twentieth century and in turn, was one of the colours most used by Andy Warhol. Finally, this deep violet is also linked to the cosmos and the tonalities of the universe, a trend that we have seen as in recent years that also influences the fashion industry.
Find some more inspirations with our Ultra Violet fabrics and unleash your imagination with this ingenious and mystical tonality.
The Christmas holidays are just around the corner and from Gratacós we are launching the last showcase of 2017, precisely in homage to these festive days of calm, peace and family meditation. Did you imagine that it would be something classical? If so, you were wrong because the last showcase of the year is romantic, but unconventional, like the creator who signs it: the designer Juan Pedro López.
“I wanted to do something a touch naughty that disengaged people from the traditional Christmas image,” says the creator of Barcelona. Thus under the concept, ‘Think Pink’, which is also the message written as graffiti on the wall of the shop window, “life is painted pink to make it more beautiful and pleasant,” explains Juan Pedro López. The mannequin is also pink, as are the different fabrics that wrap and decorate it, and the painting utensils that accompany it. Neither is the traditional Nativity scene as a religious representation of Christmas missing in the shop window.
Juan Pedro López: “You have to paint life in pink to make it more pleasant”
The colour of romanticism is accompanied by some shades of gold expressed with several strategically placed garlands and purpurins that give it that sophisticated air which is associated with the end-of-year celebrations and which perfectly express the designer’s meticulous spirit. It is a chromatic expression of love in a time of tensions that invites us to tease out the most fraternal side of people. “We are going to reduce that climate with a touch of pink,” he concludes.
Currently Juan Pedro López combines his work as a designer for other brands and as a teacher with that of a stylist. It is a task that he is also passionate about and where he can show other facets that connect fashion with art. Soon we will be introducing his new projects to you in a more complete interview.
The showcase will be in Gratacós during the Christmas holidays. Come and visit us to discover all the details!
After the valuable teaching imparted by Alejandro Resta and Núria Sarda, this month one of the big needles has come by the Gratacós space : Francis Montesinos. The popular Valencian designer took over the show in the third presentation organized by the initiative Designers Fashion Experiences for the second year running during the autumn months . With a casual language, some humour and a rich portfolio of anecdotes that review his extensive career in the sector, Montesinos knew how to win the love of the public (students and lovers of fashion in general) who did not hesitate to write down the advice and learn from the ins and outs of his professional career.
We review some of the questions from the interview as well as their answers. For even more detail you can read the information on the website Designers Fashion Experiences.
How does Francis Montesinos understand fashion?
Fashion is my way of life. I started when I was very young, when I was about 14 years old, I began to know it existed and I was already browsing to find out more about it. At 15, I started creating clothes. At that time I had a girlfriend and I made her clothes: I went to the fabric stores, I looked at the magazines … I discovered how things were done like a collar or sleeves. Without realizing it, I learned the first part of fashion, a part that is not real but wonderful.
Remind us of those beginnings after that first phase and, how was the sector in the 70s?
At that time there was nothing in Valencia and in 1974 I came to Barcelona. I have to add that everything I had learned did not help me at all. I remember that I started in the industrial area of Barcelona and that’s where I set up my first workshop. I was very lucky because I lived a moment of change, of transition between haute couture and prêt porter -A- and I could count on the expertise of the pattern makers . In 1984, I went to Madrid, where the Madrid movement started, but in fact it was also made up of designers from all over Spain. Also to mention that I lived the hippie movement in Spain that also influenced my collections. That’s why I tell you that I’ve had the good fortune to experience two great changes in fashion and learn from them.
“The Madrid movement and hippie movement have influenced my designs”
What is the value and importance of the fabrics?
At that time I liked fabrics a lot, like I do today. I remember going to markets to touch the fabrics, to feel their shape and to imagine what I would do with them. It was as if the fabric was telling me what to do with it, not the other way around. That is why I always say the same thing: it is very important to touch a fabric, appreciate it and know what you will do with it. Personally, I like natural and organic fabrics like cottons, silks, wool … I think they are more authentic.
What values would you like to transmit to the new generations?
Perseverance. I think you do not have to get tired of yourself, you have to learn to turn things around, to do new things without losing the signs of identity that is the most important thing in your career. In my case, prints with unique colors identify my work. In this profession you also have to be fast and patient at the same time and it is very difficult to achieve both simultaneously.
Francis Montesinos will have experienced some failure …
Yes. In the whole of my career I only decided to close once because of a mistake in the past in the registration of the brand that got me into debt financially and damaged my creativity, but then fortunately I saw that it was nonsense and I decided to fight. I promised myself that I would get back up, and I did.
“It is very important to touch a fabric, appreciate it and know what you will do with it”
What are the keys to success in each parade? It is the work of a team that is exposed in just a few minutes…
I am one of the few who do everything. I want to say that I do not let anyone put the music on, the lights, the outfits … Now I do not get as nervous as before because I have a team of young people who know how to do everything.
What is the importance of interpreting a design? The work of the designers and seamstresses …
I remember Mrs. Concha, who was the head of the workshop, she had the upmost patience to make me see how important her profession was because I gave more importance to design than to the production. From this I learned a valuable lesson: the day you find a pattern maker, treat her with love because they are worth gold.
How do you deal with the ego?
I have never thought about being famous. Never in my life. I have always thought that I like this profession and that I want to learn from it every day. I enjoy my profession and thats it.
What is your best design?
The best design I’ve done is the one I have not done yet because once I’ve made a design I do not like it anymore. I mean, once I created it, it has lost the mystery. I’m passionate about doing something new.
“I have never thought about being famous”
Who would you like to dress up?
I ‘ve already said it on previous occasions that I like to undress more than dress -he laughs-. I believe that there must be a communion between the brand and the client . If you do not like it, you will not wear the dress, that is obvious.
And finally, tell us about the business. How to survive?
The textile business has always been very problematic and the “rag” is what gives you the least money. There are other aspects that are more profitable, such as designing a pair of glasses, a mobile phone … You have to try to work your way up bit by bit.
The agenda of fashion events linked to culture or heritage takes off in autumn. Now in November we recommend to you two plans where you will find the best design locally at more affordable prices. Don’ t miss them!
REC.0, new edition of the festival of pop up larger stores in Europe
All the arrangements are now ready for the district of Igualada Rec hosting a new edition the REC.0, retail experiment that has revolutionized this so emblematic city suburb through the radical sale of clothing and accessories from fashion brands and emerging designers at a local level within the old tanning factories. Not surprisingly, it has become the biggest festival of pop up stores in Europe with up to 100 brands installed in 50 temporary comercial áreas for only four days: from 8 to 11 November.
In this edition new brands are included that increase what this commercial and cultural event has to offer, such as Reebok, Quiksilver, DC, Boboli, Little Creative Factory, Sessùn or Furest. Also they confirm the presence of other small firms with local production as Bless the Mess, Nou Moscada,Maria Roch, Woody’s Barcelona or Colmillo de Morsa.
Indeed, one of the singularities that makes the REC.0 event unique is the convergence of large international firms with consolidated designers and local design. So in the same street of this industrial neighborhood the visitor can find the factories of the companies Levis, Adidas and Mango firms, with pop up stores from Catalan designers like Txell Miras, Miriam Ponsa or Josep Abril, companies with international presence here such as Antonio Miró, Punto Blanco or Castañer and small local firms that have an interesting story to tell. In this regard, the REC.0 is establishing six specific áreas for firms like Costalamel, Carlota Oms, SSIC and Paul, Pau Esteve, IKA Editions, Les Chausseurs, Dorotea, Loa, Rita Row or Kinetik Supply among others,who will provide what is a unique and differentiated offer.
We highlight the 080 Barcelona Fashion Award and REC.0 which the Catalan catwalk and the organization are encouraging to promote the presence of designers and emerging brands. This time the winning company Killing Weekend will provide the siting of a pop up store in the designers’ area during the four days of REC.0.
Finally it should be noted that apart from the fashion offer that continues to be the main axis of the REC.0, this temporary event is complemented by an extensive free cultural programme and offers a wide range of food for all audiences (and tastes).
Palo Alto Market brings together more than 100 emerging creative designers
The most emblematic market in the Poble Nou district of Barcelona is preparing a special edition focused on local design. On this occasion, Palo Alto Market will get together on 18 and 19 November some of the brands and designers with more than 100 emerging and independent creative talents, with which they share the same essence : crazy production, high quality fabrics, artisan spirit, traditional manufacturing techniques, sustainable processes and limited editions. The edition ‘High Design, Nice Price ‘opts for the philosophy # shopsmall, rediscovering and promoting local talent through an ethical, aesthetic and current consumption with exclusive designs from small producers, all designed and made in Barcelona.
Among participating fashion firms are companies such as Camper, Med Winds, Ika Editions, Miriam Ponsa, Josep Abril, Txell Miras or for contemporary jewelry Berta Sumpsi.
In addition, market– goers will also enjoy concerts by Paula Grande, the New Yorker Jonah Smith, the electronic pop duo North State or songs penned by Genís Pena.
