At the end of the year the evaluation lists come out: the best books, the most influential characters, the must-see series, the trends that have marked each season, the new fashionable words that we incorporate into the dictionary… At Gratacós we carry out our particular revival exhibiting the shop windows that have been created at the entrance of our space in Barcelona. In fact, it is nothing new that we bet on creating windows that attract attention. We have always done it and each window represents a new visual letter of presentation because it speaks of who we are and what we do in a creative, spontaneous and current way, using new languages of expression that go beyond fashion.
During this year of return to “neo normality” we have dressed our mannequins with spectacular fabrics from the new season, but we have also had the support of the students of the design schools we collaborate with, the creativity of brands made in Barcelona and some artists linked to Gratacós . All of them have put their grain of sand to build new windows that create that attraction effect to those who come to our physical store. We review them below:
February 2022. Echoes of spring
Winter was short-lived in 2022 and the high temperatures, unusual in February, were unknowingly a foretaste of what would come next and would remain the usual trend throughout 2022, one of the warmest years on record. In the traditionally coldest month of the calendar, we took a look at our shop window betting on the incipient spring that was already rearing its head. The first green shoots, the white and pink flowers of the almond trees and, in general, a new awakening of the flora that we express through taffetas (Picasso) and colour in its softest tones.
March 2022. An arty twist
In March there was an artistic turn towards fashion illustration with the identifiable stroke of Joel Miñana, where his colourful mannequins were the absolute protagonists of the window. Using coloured pencils, markers and geometric lines, Joel interpreted some of the key fabrics of the season in an arty key . This contemporary vision was complemented with cuts from vintage dresses, fabrics from other seasons, and classic drawings that review the history of Gratacós, offering two visions that define our company: tradition with modernity.
April 2022. A book to remember
In the month dedicated to literary culture, we wanted to do our part by paying tribute to a specific book: ‘Nobody knows’ (Planeta, 2022) by Tony Gratacós . A historical thriller about some of the mysteries of the first circumnavigation of the world. The author gives a twist to the figure of the navigator Juan Sebastián Elcano, one of the few survivors of the Magellan expedition in an ambitious story that immerses us in one of the most splendid and fascinating periods in the history of Spain and that hides a secret that has taken five hundred years to come to light. The shop window could not miss some signed copies, roses and a mannequin with an imperishable fabric, the Gingham linen check that is renewed every year without losing its classic essence.
May 2022. The brides of the year
The bridal showcase took place in May this time, making visible the work of the last two winners of the contest IED Barcelona that the school organizes every year through their postgraduate course in Bridal Gown Design. On this occasion, the moulages by Myrian Medina, winner of 2022 and Nicole Claux , winner of 2021. Two wedding dresses, one made of georgette (Danubio) and the other made with mikado on the bodice and sequin embroidery on the tail of the skirt. The fabrics provided by Gratacós together with the unique cutting and sewing technique gave way to one of the most special showcases of 2022.
June 2022. Studio 54 returns
In June we welcomed what would be the longest summer of the 21st century, recalling the disco aesthetic of the 70s. Iridescent materials, reflective crystals and subtle shimmering fabrics to kick off a time full of outdoor celebrations. The bling bling aesthetic was achieved by Joplin Atelier, the Barcelona born firm of Laura and Aida Molano who succeed with their glam rock style , creating feminine and opulent looks in volumes, colours and fabrics. The mannequins wore two looks in lime cotton and orange silk satin combined with pieces made with mirror effect appliqués on tulle as a miniskirt.
July and August 2022. Sales time
The sales were the stars of the holiday months and we showed a selection of our best seasonal fabrics in various shades of pink and ecru: jacquards , prints and embroidery mostly. The shop window recreated a feminine room with a certain air of disorder, through a chest of drawers with a vintage spirit , where sumptuous fabrics sprouted from each of the drawers. A tribute to the carefree divas of classic cinema brought to our land.
September 2022. Back to school
In the fashion industry, the year traditionally begins in September, coinciding with the change of season, the new catwalk calendar and the most powerful magazines in the world invest in million-dollar covers to compete in sales. This month, the designer Emile Albretch from the ICM school exhibited her latest models through pieces made with different jacquards , knitted with lamé and moiré. The result was an interesting mixing exercise with a colourful result that hooks the new generations.
October and November 2022. Home sweet home
The quintessential autumn months were dedicated to exploring the traditional universe of the home. Sewing, cutting and sewing, leisurely hobbies that require the work of the hands with a dose of creativity, perseverance and patience. From this intimate refuge, the dreams of tomorrow are woven through wonderful fabrics such as wild silk in gold or transparent XXL paillettes.
December 2022. Red Christmas
We say goodbye to the year with a classic tribute to Christmas. Crystal balls that enclose remnants of fantastic fabrics, the traditional nativity scene that reminds us that no matter how times change, there are customs that remain intact over time, and a spectacular mannequin in the centre dressed in red sequins with winter decorations that remind us that winter has already begun, despite being just as atypical as at the beginning of the year. What will 2023 bring us? Regardless of the desires of each one, we await the arrival of new shop windows that will surprise you and invite you to enter our space in Barcelona. Happy New Year!
