Following an intensive week of fashion shows where the creativity of the Catalan fashion industry has been evident, from Gratacós we would like to make special mention to those Autumn-Winter 2017/2018 collections that we liked most for one reason or another. Before analyzing the most interesting proposals we want to congratulate those given awards in the last edition of 080 Barcelona Fashion: the young talent Daniel Rosa, the designer Oscarleon, Antonio Miro and the textile firm Escorpion whose proposal was designed by Juanma Granero.
As in every edition, we like seeing that our fabrics are part of the garments, to taste and enjoy by their creators, and that these capture all the flashes on the catwalk.
1. The reflections of Pilar del Campo
Pilar del Campo started out on the Catalan catwalk with a reflective proposal that portrayed fashion as a mirror of society. Those things that give ourselves away and make us transparent and unconsciously show who we are and where we are at every moment. So, the proposal “Reflections” mixes garments with a large volume of futuristic glows on the shoulders and sleeves with shiny and metallic fabrics, mixed together with others with a more classic drapery aspect using materials such as lace or velvet. The latter tight on the body. A personal interpretation of current fashion where the contemporary co-exists with the traditional in equal proportions.
2. Justicia Ruano, hedonistic fashion
Justicia Ruano’s wife is feminine, delicate and sophisticated. To demonstrate these values and under the premise “L’art de vivre”, that emphasizes the capacity to enjoy the little things in life, the Barcelona born firm presented the “Hedonism” collection dedicated to happiness and pleasure. How? Through garments that enhance the silhouette in a provoking mixture of affluence and subtlety. Stiff fabrics together with other more flexible ones, transparencies with opaqueness and soft pastel colours with emerald, black or wine tones. A dual collection that coexists harmoniously.
3. Playback by Brain & Beast
Brain&Beast does not have middle ground. The visceral brand by Ángel Vilda fights against indifference using originality and transgression and they always astound. On this occasion, the brands embarks on the new triology with “Playback”, a gestural revision of this musical concept in a theatrical proposal full of contradictory meanings. To be highlighted, the disturbing messages on the tops, the demystification of the popular icons and transgender models. We like the canonization of tailoring, the oriental cuts and the new life given to our Jacquards. Bravo!
A Winter Classic
Cloth, corduroy and wool constitute the ideal trident to face up to the low temperatures. Some people brand them as classics because they can be worn in all seasons, by virtue of their long history within fashion or due to their versatility. What nobody can deny is that now is the moment when these fabrics are shown in their full splendour.
On the catwalks wool can also be glimpsed in winter outfits yet without the slightest loss in style. This natural fabric is present in beautiful coats with a masculine style, double-sided or with the twin buttons of military aesthetic; tailored jackets or cloaks that are in fashion for yet another season, adorning some looks with their innate elegance. This adaptable fabric also proves seductive with other garments such as the unbeatable thick jumpers so suited to these months, clean-cut midi-skirts or dresses with a minimalist look.
How best to wear this fabric? This season wool is to be found in the form of figure-eights, mottled, with thick stitches or in the form of canalé in XXL size. As well it can be worn for its own look, the contrasts joining woollen garments with other diametrically-opposed fabrics such as silk. The top colours this winter are pink in all of its shades, navy-blue and those unbeatable browns.
In Gratacós we also have woollen fabrics which will enable you to add to your wardrobe this warm garment which is so needed in the coming months. Be inspired!
Essentials of the Winter Sales
The start of the year also marks the beginning of the winter sales. Since 7th January we have been promoting the new discounts on fabrics that you will be able to find in our Barcelona shop with the help of our professional team who will advice you according to your needs.
In addition to your own preferences we are going to give you some ideas as to how you can take advantage of the fabrics which are currently most in fashion with suggestions for garments for all seasons which will add depth to your wardrobe.
⦁ Velvet
Velvet has been the king of fabrics in this winter season. Soft, elegant and majestic, its presence adds glamour to your soirées. This season it has been present in Victoriana looks with its dark shades such as burgundy, ink-blue or moss-green. This fabric is ideal for designing your own jacket or draped dress – with a cotton jersey underneath.
⦁ Lurex
This gleaming fabric revives the decade of the eighties with disco-inspired metallic styles that dazzle as they pass by. We recommend this fabric in small doses, in small details or in key garments like a long dress in the best “Old Hollywood “style that never goes out of fashion.
⦁ Sequins
Glittering sequins are always a sure bet for festive styles, decorating the most sophisticated garments with their sparkle. They can be worn full-on or in version XS in skirts, dresses, jackets or boleros. One piece of advice about style : always combine this fabric with more sober print-less garments for a look that will serve you well in day-time too.
⦁ Satin
Pleasing to both eye and touch. Soft, ethereal, sophisticated… Satin is a sensual fabric which adds femininity to garments. This season it has been seen on the cat-walks in the shape of night-dresses or draped tops which transfer the intimacy of the bed-room into the street.
⦁ Lace
This romantic fabric creates see-through effects in blouses and dresses, where the seams and layers hide strategic body-zones. A feminine fabric which is becoming indispensable at any time of the year, adding sophistication to your outfits. We recommend it in black, beige or pale pink.
The see through effect
We start 2017 by recalling a festive look by the Barcelona designer Juan Pedro López which we found particularly captivating by virtue of its bold combination of colours and fabrics which create a sensual see-through effect due to super-imposed layers.
This elegant design formed part of the collection “Part XIV” corresponding with the Autumn-Winter season 2013/2014 presented on the parade 080 Barcelona Fashion. According to its designer the inspiration for the look is to be found in the sculptures of Gabo and Pevsner. It is an original design based on those volume and transparencies which envelop the silhouette of a woman. Juan Pedro López uses materials of organza and silk to create this effect of appearances and reflections, where feminine curves are exhalted in garments which fluctuate with the movement of every step.
An ethereal and delicate design which is not at all conventional and which is perfect for these festive days.
Here you will find some of our organza and satin fabrics to inspire you with new designs.
Back to Baroque
It is curious how every season styles which are totally opposed to each other tend to converge. Hence minimalist silhouettes intermingle with rich details in one and the same fashion-parade or bring new nuances within a collection by a famous designer. One of these trends towards excess is the resurgence of the baroque wave which impregnates the winter fabrics of recent years in a new interpretation of seventeenth- century aristocratic luxury.
Palatial in spirit, in fashion Baroque is visible in the hyper-aesthetic garments, full of details whose function is ornamental. The fabrics are rich in textures, embroidered, with metallized linen and trimming details. Within this trend velvet stands out as the king of fabrics; there are silk brocades, lace and materials with a soft relief which become a pleasure to touch. The prints are inspired by the floral mosaics of tapestries in complex works of art.
In the new baroque the colours are vibrant, preserving that majesticality which is linked to the aristocracy of old. Dark shades such as aubergine, ultramarine or khaki contrast with pale ones such as coral, mustard and turquoise. Pastel colours are newly resurgent in the form of pale pink, baby-blue and sea-green inspired by the dresses of Queen Marie-Antoinette.
This trend finds habitual use in interior decoration, in curtains, cushions, covers and other accessories which transform the home into a palace. On the cat-walk fashion-houses such as Balmain, Dolce & Gabbana, Versace or Alexander McQueen frequently hark back to the baroque style.
Here we will leave you with some of our inspirations, such as how our fabrics have become affected by this so evocative trend. You will find more here.
An award for a career
Roberto Torretta has been given an award at the “III Premios Nacionales de la Moda” (National Fashion Awards). These awards distinguish the fine work carried out by the creators and the industry in our country. The ceremony took place last month in the Traje museum in Madrid and was chaired by Queen Leticia.
The Argentinian designer received this award for his long life dedication to the fashion industry.
Roberto Torretta was born in Buenos Aires but moved to Spain in 1972 where he began to work in the fashion world as a member of the sales team in the company Trip Difusión in Madrid. That very same year, in Spains capital, he took part in the launch of an emblematic shop “Boutique Berlin”.
In 1981 he created the brand and company SNIF S.A. Two years later his first catwalk show took place in Madrid in the “Circulo de Bellas Artes” (Fine Arts Circle), an event organized by the magazine “Dunia”.
In his beginnings, Torretta specialized in cotton fabrics and produced various collections of sport clothes. Over the years, the collections evolved into more sophisticated designs with lusher fabrics.
The crucial year for Roberto Torretta came in 1996 when he debuted in the Cibeles catwalk show. It was not until 1998 however till he participated in the show individually with his own name. Following this, he opened shops in Madrid, Valencia and Seville.
Roberto Torretta has worked hard to maintain his place following the demands of the market. How? By diversifying the brand in new ideas beyond fashion. His fashion lines currently include; womens prêt-à-porter clothes that he presents each season in the Madrid show, an evening collection and another for bridal dresses. Furthermore, he has designed a collection of glasses for Federópticos, a collection of bath linen and bedding for Atrium, a coat and leather accessories collection for La Roca Village, a tableware collection for Arc, a jewellery collection for Le Cadóy and a precious stone jewellery collection for Navas.
This capacity he has for adaptation and reconversion has earned him a national award that endorse his experience and a long career contribuiting to the fashion industry.
Furthermore, Roberto Torretta confides in the quality of the Gratacós fabrics and various designs exhibited at his show in the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid were made using our fabrics.
All we can say more is, congratulations Roberto!
Gratacós presents its fabrics in Casablanca
Once again we have packed our bags to continue our travels, this time to Morocco. Here is where the most important textile fair in North Africa, Marocco Style, Fashion and Tex took place. We were there together with many other companies from the international fashion industry participating to present our articles, the fabrics that will be in fashion in the upcoming seasons.
Casablanca is the largest city in Marocco and also has the main port which accounts for 80% of the countries´commerce. Thanks to their location, this fair is gaining more and more importance in the fashion and textile world.
From the 10th to 12th March, visitors have flocked from the Middle East, the Gulf, Europe, Russia and many other countries of the world. An opportunity for us to continue expanding our brand and position the Gratacós fabrics in all parts of the world.
For us, this is the start of a big friendship with the fair Marocco Style, Fashion and Tex.
We will keep you updated.
The Gratacós shop is moving
Times of change are upon us. A time to embark on a new adventure and bet it all on a new space adapted to the textile sector in the 21st Century. This is why we have taken a step forward and after 75 years in Paseo de Gracia 110, we are moving to a new and different space that fits the needs of our current customers much better and also our needs as a textile company.
We have spent many wonderful years in this historical place in Barcelona, which has felt like a home and has left us many unforgettable moments. Our objective now is to create a much warmer and welcoming space, but offer the same personalized assistance to each and every one our customers.
This new location in Barcelona will merge wholesale and retail trade, expositions, workshops and welcome new talents all in one Fashion Space. An opportunity not only for us, but also for many other people and artists dedicated to the fashion industry doing what we most like; giving shape to our fabrics.
On the 4th December Shopping Night Barcelona takes place. This will be the last day we open our shop in Paseo de Gracia, and we will make the most of this night to celebrate our farewell.
From this date onwards, you can find us in Pau Claris 162 where we will open a pop up store to tie us over until we open the new establishment, which we will inform you about later on.
In the meantime, we look forward to seeing you in our shop in Paseo de Gracia where you are very welcome, as always.