Four talented Spanish fashion designers who have managed to succeed on the 'fashion' radar
Spanish fashion consistently produces brilliant talent. Here are four prime examples where creativity, passion, craftsmanship, and entrepreneurial spirit merge with resounding success. Ynésuelves, Leandro Cano, Amlul, and Mans should definitely be on your radar from now on.
By Laura Somoza and Photos: Pablo Sarabia. Production: Bárbara Garralda
We love Made in Spain, things made at home, local talent, and the love that Spanish designers put into their creations, where, it's worth noting, creativity, passion, and understated luxury reign supreme. We present to you the dreamlike (yet very real) world of Ynésuelves (created by Ynés Suelves Osorio), the folkloric and traditional mastery of Leandro Cano , the perfect 24-hour garments of Amlul (Gala González is its brilliant creator), and the new generation of tailoring from Mans (Jaime Álvarez's label).
MANS: A MATTER OF GENDER
Designer Jaime Álvarez wears a Zara sweater, Mirto trousers, and Prada shoes. Next to him, the model wears a silk shirt and trousers, both by Mans, and Blount earrings by OSB Vintage.
His grandfather, Emilio Demans, lends his name and meaning to the Mans brand by Jaime Álvarez (La Luisiana, Seville, 1994). It's an ode to men's tailoring, good taste, and the value of impeccable fabric. "He was my role model when it came to dressing; he was very daring for the time and place he lived in. He wore bespoke suits in pinstripes or Prince of Wales check, with wide lapels. Without knowing it, he helped me love fashion and awakened in me a passion for materials. When I create a design, I imagine what he would wear and whether he would be comfortable." The late (and much-admired) David Delfín advised him to enter the 080 Barcelona fashion show and encouraged him to launch his own project. "He helped me keep going and stop paying attention to all the 'no's' I encountered along the way." A journey that began with him creating menswear with timeless suits and blazers , focusing his collections on classic menswear pieces, but with a predominantly female clientele. "Mans garments are genderless; gender is determined by the person wearing them." This is how Jaime developed his first womenswear collection (Spring/Summer 2024), without abandoning the Mans codes, where the starting point is the reinvention of tailoring and masculinity. "For women, I've created a very tailor-focused universe, but there's also room for clean, straight dresses influenced by Balenciaga, my ultimate mentor. There are also references to Courrèges and Helmut Lang, and the entire minimalist aesthetic of 90s and 2000s New York." The most important element of his menswear and womenswear universe? The fabrics. "Sourcing materials is a beautiful process to which I dedicate a lot of time. We work with the best suppliers." Luxury wools (silent) that pattern impeccable jackets like the star of the house: the hourglass-shaped blazer that hugs the body and fastens at the side.
*Makeup and hair: Pedro Cedeño (NS) for Dior and Pedro Cedeño (NS) for L'oréal Professionnel.
*Model: Nuria Rothschild (UNO Models).
AMLUL: WITH ITS OWN RHYTHM
Designer Gala González wears a floral print sundress by Amlul. Next to her, the model wears the 'Margarita' dress with a mandarin collar, also by Amlul.
In 2019, Amlul went from being the name of one of the most pioneering blogs of the blogosphere era to a cult label. "I wanted to follow the path of what brought me here. I've always been clear that I wanted to work in fashion, and that's why I founded a blog sharing my experiences. That dream became a persona, and that persona gave birth to an inner world and now my own brand." This is how Gala González (A Coruña, 1986) defines the beginning of her journey as a designer and entrepreneur. It all started with the motto #NoMoreSeasons as its guiding principle and the idea that her pieces shouldn't just be seasonal, but rather have the longevity to be perfect any month of the year. "I've always been dedicated to giving visibility to other people, and suddenly I asked myself: 'What would I wear every day?' I'm passionate about resort collections, Australian brands, and the idea of packing a dress in your suitcase—one that isn't expensive but is high-quality, that has a wow factor. That was my goal." Achieved. The Amlul wardrobe consists of corset tops, Lolita-inspired mini dresses, and a constantly reinvented hit : the Southampton dress. "I was looking for a cut that would easily adapt to all body types, and I came across the traditional Asian dress. I was inspired by the film In the Mood for Love, set in the 1960s. But I didn't want to appropriate something that isn't culturally mine, so I wanted to make it my own by adapting the silhouette and giving it a Western twist ." A dress, and a brand, for which Gala is the best ambassador, but with which she hopes her role as a designer will be recognized beyond her digital career. "I want people to like Amlul regardless of whether they follow me or not. This time, I'm the creative director, not the face of the brand."
