The annual Pasarela Barreira showcase returned this year on June 13th, brimming with creativity and fresh perspectives from the graduating class of Barreira A+D fashion degrees. Held at the prestigious CaixaForum València venue, the event saw over 30 students unveil their final projects in front of a specialized audience from the fashion industry and an international jury.
Pasarela Barreira 2024 backstage. Picture by Daniel Emperador
The collections presented a diverse range of themes and inspirations, reflecting the unique visions of each designer. Some of our favorites included:
Inés Lerma Escrivá‘s collection paid homage to the traditional craft of wool, highlighting its beauty and natural elegance through sustainable and innovative techniques. Maily Florentin-Dao explored the multifaceted nature of anger in her collection “Epinephrine,” using contrasting pieces to represent the causes and consequences of this emotion. Alma Chulvi Rosa took viewers on a cultural journey through three distinct looks inspired by Hawaiian, Roman, and Greek mythology. Andrea López challenged traditional notions of beauty with her “Eroticism” collection, advocating for inclusivity and self-expression through dark, elegant designs. Patricia Ruiz Gómez‘s “Collision,” is a powerful representation of the physical and emotional aftermath of a car accident. Moema Aguadé‘s “Heroes of our own,” is an upcycled collection promoting individuality and resilience in the face of challenges. Inés Conti Galán explored the relationship between nature and geometric shapes in a sustainable and environmentally conscious collection. Ybelka Torá Renderos celebrated the quinceañera tradition, aiming to raise awareness of this cultural practice. Andrea Roca Torrejón paid tribute to the underground cultural movement La Ruta Valenciana through her “Hidden Track” collection.
Several designers explored themes of self-discovery and self-acceptance: Andrea Marzá Guinot‘s “BREAKING SHELL” collection symbolized the breaking free from emotional barriers. Naroa Plaza Gonzalez‘s “YO CONMIGO MISMA” championed self-compassion and the importance of healing after difficult experiences. Claudia Izquierdo Martínez used haute couture as a tool for self-understanding, focusing on the expression of heightened emotions. Mar Salvá Sepúlveda‘s “EL ENTORNO DECIDE” explored the impact of environment on personality and the journey towards self-confidence. Aitana Serra Galbis‘ “State Of Bliss” depicted the path to personal growth through acceptance of anxiety.
The showcase also saw a strong emphasis on social awareness and inclusivity: Guillermo Almenar Segura‘s “Street Nomads” collection highlighted the plight of homelessness through a maximalist aesthetic. Sandra Durbán Guaita‘s “VISION 555” celebrated individuality and challenged societal expectations. Manuel Gomez Navarro‘s “STIFF” championed gender-fluid fashion and the breaking down of stereotypes. Nahia Gomez Iturria‘s “Shades of us” advocated for sustainable fashion and challenged consumerism. Pilar Garrigós Llabata‘s “WANDERESS” collection promoted inclusivity and the dismantling of gender binaries in fashion.
The jury includes Santi Mozas, Aarón Gil and Paula Viana. Picture by Daniel Emperador
We had a little chat with Elena Giménez (Coordinator of the Fashion Design Area at Barreira A+D), to discuss student training, the showcase, and advice for graduates. Here’s what she told us:
As the director of Pasarela Barreira 2024: What process do you enjoy most about such an event?
In reality, this project is a joint effort of the fashion department’s educational team that begins with the training of our students and culminates in the presentation of their collections to the public. It is a challenge that grows every year, both in terms of participating designers and the number of attendees and public who do not want to miss this opportunity to discover emerging talent. It is truly inspiring to discover all the participating collections and very satisfying to manage to close a fitting of more than 3 days with 40 models and 165 designs, but without a doubt, our favorite moment is the enthusiasm that all our students put into bringing their collections to the light of day.
What values must prevail in projects to be part of the catwalk?
Originality and quality. Within each of the official fashion qualifications (intermediate degree in accessories and millinery, higher degree in styling and clothing and degree in fashion design), the final projects of the final year students are presented. These collections individually represent the universe of each of the creatives who sign them but have in common the high commitment to creativity and innovation as well as the quality in both the design process and the making and production of the garments.
What has it been like to see all the work of the graduates in a place like Caixaforum Valencia?
The setting has been overwhelming, from the first location visit we made we knew that this year would be really special. Firstly, because it was the first time that a fashion show had been held in this space since its inauguration as CaixaForum, and secondly because the architectural emblem inside this building is synonymous with the innovation that our students’ designs convey. Seeing the proposals of the participating designers parade in this space has been, I think unanimously, a further statement of their potential.
Pasarela Barreira 2024 backstage. Picture by Daniel Emperador
What advice would you give to those students who finish their training with you and are now looking for their own path?
To trust in themselves and in everything they know. That they create their new selves as designers, and that they have no fear because they are highly qualified for the professional environment. That this moment is not the end but the beginning of a fascinating life surrounded by their vocation.
And what differentiating elements does the Barreira Art and Design Center offer? (Thinking of future students who are now looking for training courses)
At Barreira we train the professionals of the future. Thanks to our teaching staff, made up of great professionals from the fashion sector in active positions, we have the capacity to train through the project methodology the designers that the sector needs today. In a sector as changing as the fashion industry, updating and innovation become a key axis for our students to be the most competent in the labor market. Thanks to the collaboration with large companies in the sector and events such as Pasarela Barreira, we promote their talent beyond our classrooms.
Check out the editorial shot by Sonia Sabnani highlighting all the collections presented:
Pasarela Barreira 2024 Award for the Best Collection of the Degree in Fashion Design
‘YO QUIERO YO PUEDO _ BÉLA STUDIO’, de Isabel Parra García
Aflame Award for the Best Collection of the Degree in Fashion Design
‘STATE OF BLISS’, de Aitana Serra Galbis
Best Collection Award of the Higher Degree in Fashion Styling
‘ARQEZA’, de Inés Conti Galán
Aflame Award for the Best Collection of the Higher Degree in Fashion Styling
‘STIFF HOUSE’, de Manuel Gómez Navarro
Best Collection Award of the Middle Grade of Millinery and Fashion Accessories
‘PER SEMPRE’, de Marina San Frutos Yagüe. Foto por Daniel Emperador
Aflame Award for the Best Collection of the Middle Grade of Millinery and Fashion Accessories
‘EROTICISM’, de Andrea López Lillo.
‘SHIN GI TAI’, de Pablo Cariñana Llopis
‘JOUER AVEC LA VIE’ by Andrea Izquierdo López
‘WANDERESS01: INDULGENCIA FEMENINA’ by Pilar Garrigós Llabata
‘ENTÓMICO’ by Nerea Martínez Alcañiz
‘KALOPSIA’ by Nahia Gómez Iturraspe
‘REBELLE’ by Mireya Gómez Saldaña
‘EL ENTORNO DECIDE’ by Mar Salvá Sepúlveda
‘DUALITY’ by Kelly Yang
‘DUE CUORI REDEFINING PREGNANCY’ by Estefanía Albert Nácher
‘HIGH SENSITIVITY’ by Claudia Izquierdo Martínez
‘ST GARMENTS’ by Álex Esplugues Balaguer
‘BREAKING SHELL’ by Andrea Marzá Guinot
‘STREET NOMADS’ by Guillermo Almenar Segura
‘HIDDEN TRACK’ by Andrea Roca Torrejón
‘KINTSUGI’ by Mónica López Cevallos
‘EL ÚLTIMO DÍA DE TU VIDA’ by Sofía Laila Ul Alam
‘LO-OFF’ by Irene Victoria Montoya
‘RAMÉ’ by María Vellón Darós
‘ESTOY EN FLOR’ by Iris Martínez Marcos
‘SUKHA’ by Mery Picó Cebrián
‘HÉROES’ by Moema Aguadé
‘YO CONMIGO MISMA’ by Naroa Plaza González
‘COLLISION’ by Patricia Ruiz Gómez
‘STYLE IT HAPPY’ by Paula Piqueras Vicente
‘VISIÓN 555’ by Sandra Durbán Guaita
‘QUINCE’ by Ybelka Torá Renderos
‘EPINEPHRINE’ by Maily Florentin-Dao
‘OVEJA’ by Inés Lerma Escrivá
‘LE PETIT TRIANON” by Carmen Ruiz Fortes
‘L’ENLLAÇAMENT’ by Alba Peiró Sinarcas
‘PRAEDIUM’ by Alma Chulvi Rosa
‘MIS MUNDOS’ by Sergi Romero Castilla
Credits:
Shooting direction: Isabela García
Assistants: María Coppola, Laura Camila Rosario, Sara Orquin and Elena Martinez
Photography: Sonia Sabnani
Models: Carmen Duran Model Agency
MUAH Team: Clara Bosch, Daniela Montecinos and Let’s Make Up
Fashion Area Coordinator: Elena Giménez Valle
Photographer of Marina San Frutos Yagüe’s look: Daniel Emperador
