Pedro Covelo is part of this new generation of male designers that know and recognize the needs of the current man; those that look for design, comfort and renovation with contemporary ideas that are a little daring but do not lose their functionality.
The young designer was born in Vigo and during his childhood he took various music, theatre and dance lessons. In the end, Pedro Covelo chose fashion design and moved to Barcelona to study in FD MODA- LCI Barcelona. “It was something more arbitrary that came into my life and I used it as a form of expression” assured the Galicia born creator.
2014 represents the beginning of his career when he won the MODAFAD prize to Best Young Designer in Barcelona following his final degree project. If this was not enough, that very same year they gave him a similar prize in Galicia and he was finalist in the MMOD competition in Murcia.
Despite being so young, Pedro Covelo has already participated at 080 Barcelona Fashion and Mercedes-Benz FashionWeek Madrid. He seduced everybody with his third collection “Un sapo llamado Mike” (a frog called Mike) inspired in the North American Westerns, an interesting proposal of rich fabrics and well defined cuts. “I define myself for doing something sincere and very my own” explained Pedro regarding his way of working. “I like classic tailoring by pattern, I go for innovation in fabrics, prints and embroidery. For me, it is very important to favour handicraft work.”
A juvenile collection that maintains the essence of the designer in a wild Western American surrounding. Silk shirts, ribbons at the neck, Bohemian style trousers and coats created with patchwork. All the garments use a surprising mix of fabrics and prints. Some of them are ours, for example the floral prints and the original orange crepe fabric that Pedro used to print the faces of the presidents of the United States. We are mutually thankful for his trust in us. “Gratacos is part of my family in fashion and has been a big support for me” said the young designer.
Pedro Covelo is settled in Barcelona and continues his work in the design world. The journey however is not always smooth. “It is not an easy job and when you are young more so because it is difficult to survive with the little help they give us” he explained. Despite the possible obstacles, Pedro calls for a steady hand to work in what he most enjoys, fashion creation. And the first steps have been taken.
Good luck!
Samuel Alarcón has once again shown his talent for knitting needles with his new project ‘Etimología del Yo’, presented last week at 080 Barcelona Fashion. The young designer from the Canary Islands –who currently resides in Barcelona, reflected on identity through the agender trend. He did so by making the common theme of his project clothes that do not differentiate gender. This groundbreaking project marks a turning point for the current canons of beauty that are displayed on the catwalk.
Knitted garments are the main form of expression in his collection. Actually, it forms part of Samuel Alarcón’s identity. Aswell as the star fabric, the young talent used other materials to define his style on the catwalk, some of which were acquired in Gratacós. For example the wool crepe in brown, off white and pink shades, that he mixed masterfully with other colours such as black and yellow creating inviting colour blocks.
His collection for next summer also included details that did not get left unnoticed. Romantic key hibiscous flowers on the chest, endless tassles that portrayed movement and voluminous waists in trousers for both men and women. For Samuel Alarcón there are no distinctions because fashion is the same for everyone.
Find the Gratacós fabrics the designer has used here: http://www.gratacos.com/shoponline/en/
080 Barcelona Fashion is back. From the 27th June to the 1st July, this Catalan catwalk show will exhibit the Spring-Summer 2017 collections of around 30 native brands. These include textile brands, dedicated designers and new talents. The objective of this event is to consolidate Cataluña as a benchmark for design in all its variations – creation, production, training and promotion and thus contribute to the internationalization of the sector.
The catwalk shows of this 18th edition will take place in Catalonia`s National Physical Education Institute based in the Olympic Ring on Montjuic. It is here where the training and culture values of sport that define the Catalan capital are reflected. This edition aims to “get Catalan fashion into shape” in a more festive environment and in a more participatory way.
As specialists in fashion, Gratacós have always worked side by side with designers, offering them their premises for enquiries, consulting and commercialization of fabrics that will be used to make the garments of the new season. In this edition of the Catalan catwalk show, Brain & Beast and Samuel Alarcón are two of the brands that have confided their trust in us.
Brain & Beast
This transgressive brand was created by Ángel Vilda in Barcelona in 2010. From the very beginning, his collections do not leave anyone indifferent. Messages, guessing games, juxtapositions of fabrics….Each season his garments emphasize the pop culture with agender silhouettes where sophistication goes hand in hand with comfort together with high dosis of humour.
Samuel Alarcón
This new design talent started out in the 080 Barcelona Fashion after receiving the Creativity Award at the Modafad show – the platform for the young up and coming. He set the bar high. Born in the Canary Islands but now based in Barcelona, Samuel Alarcón specializes in tricot, which he uses to experiment and innovate to achieve some surprising results. He participates again in the Catalan catwalk show with his collection ‘Etimología del Yo’.
Gratacós will attend both shows to support the designers who have confided in us. We are very much looking forward to seeing their new collections. Good luck!
This week, as its 080 Barcelona Fashion, we had the pleasure of interviewing Pedro Covelo. A young fashion designer who originates from Galicia, but is now based in Barcelona. Thanks to his talent, effort and meticulous handiwork, he won the last edition of Modafad – the young creators fashion show. Consequentially he also won the scholarship given out by Gratacós in collaboration with this organization.
Do you remember the moment when you decided you were going to focus your career in fashion?
As I always say, I never decided anything at any particular moment. It was all progressive and I gradually got more and more involved. It is something I feel very at ease with.
From Vigo to Barcelona. What brought you to this city?
The truth is I have always liked Barcelona for its European movement and its design. It is a city which has a constant flow of people from all over the world, with projects and very interesting ideas. A city where you can get a learn lots of things if you know how to make the most of it.
Do you miss anything from your home town?
I have never been very nostalgic, I live the present and enjoy life every moment. If I was to mention anything, I would say living with my parents and not having to worry about anything related to my house.
Which icons have helped you develop your own style?
The way I see it, each person’s taste is created from millions of little inputs that you receive from all over. In terms of design, my top three are Prada, Anderson and the new Gucci.
Have you had any experiences that have marked your creative outlook?
I could tell you so many things that in the end it is the summary of the last 5 years in Barcelona, different people I have met and travelling.
Where do get the ideas for your collections? Which is the first step you take when creating them?
In my case, I usually start off from an image I have seen and I associate it to a concept which I have in mind at the time. Following that, I think of a final idea I would like to undertake, a fabric, the cut, the type of beauty, the essence of collection in general.
How important are the fabrics in your design? Do you have a preference for a specific one?
VERY IMPORTANT. And more so in my case, as the patterns are cleaner and without volume. The fabrics are what I experiment most with; printing, embroidering, combining them and using unusual fabrics in masculine fashion. I cannot say I have a preference for any particular one, as each collection breathes a different spirit, and has completely different fabrics and theme.
With which materials would you like to experiment in the future?
Now I am at a phase where I am interested in patchwork, mixing leather with other fabrics such as denim. However, as an idea for the long term future, I would say that my leitmotiv, in each collection is to try printing different fabrics with completely different textures and see how each one works. I find this very interesting.
If you could choose any place, where would you like to see your designs?
Amberes or Asia.
Can you give us anything away about your upcoming collection?
America, end of the sixties, country music sounds, the smell of earth and a bit of women.
080 Barcelona Fashion Week is back for another edition. Plenty of novelties and fresh young talent determined to make a strong impression and gain a foothold in the world of fashion. And it is in this way that our fabrics are back on the catwalks with two designers that will give plenty to talk about. All positive.
Manuel Bolaño is without a doubt one of the most awaited for designers on the Catalan catwalk. As he himself says, he has a show prepared to present his collection “Palomo Cojo” for the upcoming season Autumn Winter 15/16. And moreover he is using Gratacós fabrics.
We are also anxious to see the designs presented by Pedro Covelo on the Modafad catwalk, winner of the last edition. We are sure this young designer will go as far as he wishes to and we also support him fully.
We will be there, in the first row as we do not to miss a thing. If you would also like to attend, you are in luck, because we are GIVING AWAY TWO DOUBLE PASSES; one for the Manuel Bolaño fashion show and the other for Pedro Covelo.
Manuel Bolaño: Wednesday 4th February (4pm)
Pedro Covelo: Thursday 5th February (7pm)
¿How to participate?
Leave a message in this image (here) saying which of the two shows you would like to attend. All those who participate will take part in the draw. You have until Tuesday 2nd February at 2pm to participate. Shortly after, we will publish the names of the winners on Facebook.
The passes can be collected at the Gratacós shop, in Calle Pau Claris 162 – piso 2º, Barcelona. (Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm)
Good luck to you all, we’ll see you at 080!
