March, like September, is the month of rebirth. From the blooming of the new season that hitherto has been hibernating in our stores, waiting for its turn: the official presentation to society. And we really wanted to show the new collection of fabrics, this time absorbed under the Double Poetry concept.

Double Poetry appeals to poetry that hides duality. A dual year (2020) inspires a spring-summer collection that moves between two waters. On a creative level we are inspired by the antagonisms that are related to each other, especially in work processes: the mental and the irrational, technology and emotion, what develops in a cerebral way and what is guided from the heart. We provide the most advanced technology with poetry and human emotion to create a rational and tangible proposal, but with high doses of sensitivity.

Under this concept of extremes that complement each other, the Spring-Summer 2020 proposal is developed in two directions:

1. A turn to contemporary classics

The classic does not have to be predictable or boring, especially when it undergoes a transformation that shakes and rejuvenates it. We like to get out of our comfort zone with disruptive proposals. This line contemplates fabrics that retain a certain timeless primitivism. They are easily recognizable products, close to the domestic and that convey security and everyday life: wear a Jacquard out of the festive season or look for a type of cotton that conveys a message, why not? A range of traditional fabrics (drapery, tweeds and wool items are coming back), some of them rustic looking and which interact with the latest technologies to include us in contemporary fashion.

Within this line the tactile fabrics are grouped, with certain reliefs: granulated, obvious crepes, flamed, flexible volumes, synthetic glitters, silver lurex worked in a delicate way and without stridencies. These products stand out because they seek to enhance the beauty of the raw material. They are handmade and rustic fabrics, but at the same time technologically sophisticated and they show these imperfections (reliefs and volumes) with pride. In terms of design, contemporary classics are inspired by the ethnic universe in a minimalist key: in a natural folk style with firm strokes, sinuous and organic shapes. This category also abounds with repetitive, almost elementary geometries, with or without symmetry: clean frames and essential stripe patterns. Finally we are not forgetting floral prints with delicious compositions with petals and motifs that are inspired by the surfing universe of vibrant colours.

In this first block neutral tones abound, an earth palette with golden nuances, the unbeatable black and white or navy blue combinables.

2. An ode to the urban landscape

The second address of the Spring-Summer 20 collection puts us in an urban environment. The city as the core of human relations. We seek that direct connection with our glass and concrete home and within this line we embrace experimentation with surprising combinations of materials and textures with vital, luminous and energetic colours that can be confronted face to face to create an interesting dialogue in tune with the urban landscape.

In this second block fabrics of a young and fresh luminosity abound, with intelligent and emotional shades at the same time. We seek to appeal to the emotions with this mix and we let ourselves get carried away by intuition. Thus the fabrics we are suggesting stand out for their evidenced volumes, they are dense in appearance, with artificial compositions and elegant textures for a seduction that enters daytime terrain. Feminine and fluid fabrics with light and fresh reliefs because we want to communicate energy and spontaneity through the materials. In turn the products have a clean appearance, technical touches only in finishes and they have a spontaneous and energetic design for a look that stands out within the city. The fabrics seek some theatricality and joy with giant graphics for the outdoors, aquatic reflections and botanical-inspired prints. A line that encourages us to rethink aesthetic codes and experiment without questioning the beauty or the need for the final products.

In this second block mineral colours abound ranging from blue to pale pink or lavenders, oranges and a palette of greens and limes. Vibrant tones that are exhibited for their own sake.

We invite you to discover the new Spring-Summer 2020 collection through the online store or in our Gratacós space in Barcelona. Let yourself be seduced by the materials, textures and patterns of the fabrics!

General concept

Technology and ecology. Are they two antagonistic concepts? Can they go hand in hand? At Gratacós we think so. Innovation and the latest technologies at the service of the new green economy, one that is at the service of sustainability in all its dimensions. A global strategy that affects companies in any sector and on which we at Gratacós have been working for many years in multiple ways, such as energy saving or the commitment to recycled packaging that complies with European regulations. Even so, it is in this Autumn-Winter 2019/2020 collection that the move towards sustainability is also affecting production processes, with the introduction of sustainable fabrics in our traditional seasonal catalogue.

 In the era of fake news and information excess (which ironically generates more misinformation) we want to be more honest than ever. We have started on a path of transition towards sustainability, choosing recycled and regenerated fibres to produce sustainable fabrics that minimize the impact on the environment. In this collection we have introduced some rather anecdotal articles because we consider that it has been an experiment which seeks to mature processes. The idea is that through the ingenuity and creativity of the design department we will take new steps in future collections, but in advance we will supply you with abundant items made from recycled and regenerated raw materials. That is why we consider this to be the collection of change. From the beginning to this move towards greener technology and ecology which creates synergies for a more sustainable world.

That said, the proposal ‘ Technology vs Ecology ‘ was inspired in its day in a context of mutation and change that specifically affects the design department. It was not an easy collection to conceive because the global economic context was valued to create more contained (but no less creative )products for greater acceptance in a market that is unstable and low risk for a season that is born with a great difficulty in generating concepts. Even so, the collection was conceived from three points of view: a certain austerity with articles that cover the classics using new contemporary languages; a transeasonal vocation for an intelligent and flexible wardrobe with items that work during this interim period; finally, a line of items for special occasions with reflections and glitter that enrich the fabrics: beautiful jacquards, fancy threads, winter flowers, tartans, prints in vintage velvet … An evening creation interpreted freely and with some extravagance.

Fabrics

Given this sobriety and classicism, this collection has used noble materials for austere, serene and strident-free fabrics. Robust fabrics only in appearance with elaborate textures of strange touch where the glows merge with the matt. Velvets and silks become denser, but maintain lightness and softness to the touch to preserve a theatrical point without falling into excess. Tactile weaving designs and dark-coloured fabrics that play with well-studied points of light with dimmed brightness, but more rational than ever, have also been taken into account. Controlled light. 

The Autumn-Winter 2019/2020 collection is also a collection rich in fabrics that mimic the fake fur or skin of animals with a clear cruelty-free spirit . Finally we have taken into account the fabrics that mimic manual techniques such as tie-dye , watercolours … It is obvious that they are manufactured via an industrial and digital process, but we try to make the final result seem handmade.

Designs

 The designs also connect with nature from different angles: from floral elements, through spots and reliefs that mimic some minerals to prints that are reminiscent of of animal skins. The collection also includes the most basic linear graphics, pictorial motifs and a new reconfiguration of stripes and squares.

 In fact, in general it is an eclectic proposal that mixes several codes, maintaining a basic tune: skin, manual-looking flowers, dimmed glosses, retro motifs inspired by the upholstery of the home, digitally printed tartans, surprising textures, night volumes …

Colours

 In chromatic matters there is talk of a dense but surprising collection where dark colours abound with small, carefully-worked glints that break with any monotony. A kind of poetic darkness. Black is a constant colour that articulates the winter creation. These muted winter tones refer to the beauty of imperishable classics. Sensual and elegant colours where textures and volumes become more evident.

 Beyond the dark range there are other more cheerful tones such as some brush-strokes of winter blue, bright reds, caramelised bricks, cold turquoises with mustards, seductive greens (now paler compared to other seasons) and a palette of pinks in soft shades. There are also orange and strawberry nuances that seek harmony and contrast with the rest of the colours in the collection. All this colour flirts with the metallic shades, especially matt gold.

 At Gratacós we hope you like this new feature and we invite you to come and see it in our store in Barcelona.

31 editions later, Gratacós is still present and giving it all at the Premiere Vision Paris fair. An event we look forward to each year to show the fabrics from our new collections. We always come back from the fair with a good feeling and pleased with the result.

This year, as always our presence at the fair has not gone unnoticed. Thanks to the 10 people working on our stand that made each and every one of our clients feel the warm welcome of our fabrics and capture the essence of Gratacós.

This fabric fair in Paris brings together each year more and more people from all over. Customers from the 5 continents that travel to discover the novelties that will be tendency for the upcoming season and that have been welcomed under the slogan “Heres fashion comes to life”. We love it.

Furthermore, in this edition, more than ever, we have noticed the presence of Asian customers who are increasingly interested in the novelties of European fashion.

In Gratacós, we are very happy with our participation in Premiere Vision Paris. Our customers are delighted with the novelties we are exhibiting and we are back feeling very eager to continue innovating and to show our fabrics to other corners of the world.

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 2^nd 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!