Valencian fashion and design are steadily gaining recognition, both nationally and internationally. The title ‘Mediterranean Fashion Hub’ isn’t our creation, it’s Forbes magazine that says so. This recognition signifies that the hard work is beginning to yield significant rewards.
The second edition of the Mediterránea Fashion Week last October garnered attention well beyond the Turia capital. With only two editions under its belt, the Valencian runway managed to practically double everything that can be doubled: audience, participants, budget, support… essentially, fashion! 4 days in which 16 designers from across Spain showcased their creations on two stages: the iconic Plaza de la Virgen, glowing like never before, and the Only YOU Hotel. On the terreta side designers names like Isabel Sanchis, Carlos Haro, Alejandro Resta, Mario Salafranca, Cary Fragueiro and GAU; on the other side Devota & Lomba, Duarte, Otrura, Maison Mesa, Félix Ramiro, José Perea, Duly Romero, Malne, Baro Lucas and Oteyza, among others.
Few events achieve such attention within their first two years, and this only confirms what the organisers, the equally young Association for Culture and Fashion in Valencia (ACUMOVA) under the direction of Sergio Puig, have been asserting: ‘there is a real need for a Valencian platform to support fashion by authors. A professionalized event in which to show the collections of designers from the Valencian Community, but also of outstanding national and international creators’. They undoubtedly know the path they are forging.
In its article, Forbes gives some of the keys that support Valencia as an emerging fashion hub. The city’s designation as the World Design Capital 2022 and its recent inclusion in UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network in the Design category are significant precursors. According to Econcult, Valencia’s design ecosystem is valued at 1.7 billion euros, comprising at least 1,800 creative companies employing over 20,000 people.
Beyond the Mediterránea Fashion Week, Forbes magazine highlights another fashion milestone in our city: CLEC Fashion Festival. Under the direction of Miquel Suay (DIMOVA) the festival recently marked its fourth edition at the City of Arts and Sciences, managing, once again, to amaze with surprising proposals. This year they decided to focus on the climate emergency, calling fashion lovers to be more proactive when it comes to consumption. A message as important as it is necessary and with special relevance when it comes from within the industry.
There’s no doubt that Valencia will remain a prominent figure in the fashion world and we are looking forward to witnessing it. Congratulations to the entire team working behind the scenes to position Valencia among the fashion benchmarks.
