Last week we had the pleasure of welcoming to Gratacós Núria Sardà, designer for the women ‘s lingerie company, Andres Sarda. Nuria has continued the legacy of her father by maintaining the essence of the brand, one that combines sophistication, elegance and femininity with soft linen garments, lightweight shapes and fascinating colours that embellish every woman’s body. Within the framework of the conference Designers Fashion Experiences Nuria explained to those present the keys to success, which also deal with the adaptation and evolution of the brand to the new demands of the market. She left them with some valuable advice.
We interviewed Núria Sardà to learn about some of her concerns. Remember that you can recover the conversation we had last week on the website of Designers Fashion Experiences.
Why have you participated in the initiative Designers Fashion Experiences?
I like to support new designers as much as possible and these conferences seem to me a good reason for doing so. In addition the organization has given me a lot of confidence.
Andres Sarda has extensive professional experience which unites generations of the same family. What can you explain from your own experience?
Each person lives their own experience and it is always good to know it firsthand. In this day-session I have focused on the opportunities and also on some obstacles that I have had in my career.
I gather that your passion for design is inherited …
Not really, I never thought about dedicating myself to the world of design. I never chose this profession, but life led me to choose it .
“I never chose this profession, but life led me to choose it “
If you could go back in time, would you go back to design?
Yes, it’s a very stressful, fun and changeable job. It allows you to meet interesting people and tour the world. My daily routine is not strictly routine and allows me to express all my creativity. It is also true that it is a world where you are very exposed and your creations are judged severely by the company, the business world and lastly the customers. In this sense if everything goes well it is fantastic, but you also suffer because in each collection you put head, heart and soul. And there are many hours of work!
What obstacles are there in the fashion industry?
More than obstacles, I would call it circumstances. The offer, the distribution, the customers and their motivations. In this sector everything changes very quickly. We companies have to adapt to changes and advance according to to market movements.
“In every collection you put head, heart and soul”
Then adaptation is a tool that ensures survival. Which would you most emphasise?
From my point of view you need to have your personality in the creations, the quality and the reliability of the product and the company. This has to be coupled with adaptation and evolution of market needs, as I said previously.
What do you recommend to future designers?
That they should do what they do, make sure that their work is always original and that they contribute some innovation. Let them follow their instinct and never give up.
“We always have to look for excellence in everything we do”
Tips that might be a good leitmotiv…
Yes, we always have to look for excellence in everything we do.
September is the month of Fashion with new editions of the most prestigious fashion catwalks worldwide. After New York, the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid takes place in the Spanish capital. This upmost important event with the “made in Spain” design, takes place from the 15th to the 20th September in the exhibition hall 14.1 of the IFEMA Madrid trade fair.
The show brings together 41 Spanish creators (and 1 international designer from Kiev) who will present their Spring-Summer 2017 collections in an innovative way. The novelties include the incorporation of the creator Leandro Cano and also Malne, a brand created by Juanjo Mánez and Paloma Álvarez of unique and elegant garments. These conclude the catwalk shows of established designers in this edition.
Gratacós would like to highlight the participation of Catalan designers who confide in the family business. For example Andrés Sardá or Teresa Helbig and also other Spanish creators that receive their support such as Ángel Schlesser, Roberto Torreta, Juan Vidal, Amaya Arzuaga or The 2nd Skin Co, amongst others.
As is the custom, the last day of the catwalk show is dedicated to emerging design with a new edition of Samsung EGO. Furthermore, 15 young creators will present their designs in the Cibelesespacio Samsung Ego Showroom, with direct sales to the public during the days of the event. In this category, Gratacós would like to mention two young designers with a promising career:
1. Xevi Fernández
This designer from Empordà, studied in Barcelona in the Institut Català de la Moda. During his training, he won various competitions including ‘Young Talent Prize Bread & Butter’ 2009 in Berlín. His first collection “Nuclear” was awarded the prize of Best Masculine Collection by Creamoda in Bilbao. Xevi Fernández carried out his first work together with the designer Josep Font and this is where his interest began in the handicraft aspect of Haute Couture. The young designer has already participated in the Madrid catwalk show with his latest collection “The Last Future”, a collection with futuristic airs that reflects upon technology and society.
2. Juan Carlos Pajares
This 23 year old designer from Guadalajara is one of the fashion entrepreneurs with most influence. He studied in Saint Martins school in London and debuted last year in the Samsung Ego catwalk show with his collection Form Follow Function’ that did not leave anyone indifferent. So much so that some Spanish celebrities such as Nieves Álvarez, Berta Vázquez or Dafne Fernández have already been seen wearing some of his outfits at different events.
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid was a big success ! Gratacós was present at the collections of Amaya Arzuaga, Andrés Sardá, ANGEL SCHLESSER, Francis Montesinos, Teresa Helbig y THE 2ND SKIN CO.
Crepe Verde en la colección de Amaya Arzuaga
Tul Paillettes Oro en la colección de Andrés Sardá 
Fantasía Paillete Oro en la colección de Andrés Sardá 
Rayas Paillettes en la colección de Ángel Schlesser
Crepe Naranja para Amaya Arzuaga
Mikado Blanco en la colección de THE 2ND SKIN CO.
Jacquard Lame Rojo para la colección de Ángel Schlesser
Paillettes de Rayas en la colección de Francis Montesinos 
Patinado Plomo para la colección de Francis Montesinos
Satén Seda Verde Agua para la colección de Ángel Schlesser
Paillettes Rayas para Francis Montesinos
Tul Bordado de flores en la colección de Francis Montesinos
Tul piel para la colección de Amaya Arzuaga
Georgette Ocre para la colección de Teresa Helbig
Un Tul Bordado de flores para Francis Montesinos
Saten Seda Nude para THE 2ND SKIN CO.
Saten Seda en Amarillo para THE 2ND SKIN CO.
