Madrid fashion week launches with an emphasis on menswear

Thursday saw the opening of a new edition of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid, which runs until 21 February with designers offering a more international vision, a good selection of men’s formal wear brands and more “see-now, buy-now” collections than ever before.

The 65th edition of the fashion week aims to reach a more international audience, with fashion shows expected to boost brand awareness and create a platform for business growth, said to EFE MBFWM director Charo Izquierdo, whose goals are “ to enhance the quality and look outside Spain”.

The Madrid event will run until 21 of February and will present the AW17 collections of 43 designers, including new arrivals Custo Barcelona, Marcos Luengo and Menchén Tomás.

Desigual will be holding an experiential event at its shop in central Madrid, while Roberto Verino returns to the runway after a little break with a “see-now, buy-now” collection.

The official schedule of runway shows opened on Friday with Juan Vidal, followed by Agatha Ruiz de la Prada’s colourful designs, the creative universe of María Escoté and corsets by Maya Hanssen, which feature this season laser-cut shapes.

Other designers presenting on Friday included Ángel Schelesser, Francis Montesinos, Ion Fiz and Devota&Lomba, whose collection was launched online immediately after the show.

Highlights for the upcoming days include Andrés Sardá’s lingerie, the feminine designs of Roberto Torretta and pieces by Ana Locking, who will be presenting both men’s and women’s wear.

Marcos Luengo will be presenting his collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid for the first time, while Juanjo Oliva will showcase his new line of men’s clothing, developed in partnership with El Corte Inglés.

Duyos will make his 20th show at Madrid Fashion Week on Monday, the same day when the winners of this season’s L'Oréal Paris Awards will be announced.

The final day will see emerging designers take the stage.

EFE / Barbara Santamaria