080 Barcelona Fashion shows off its international credentials

080 Barcelona Fashion returned to Barcelona on Monday with the aim of balancing the spotlight on emerging and veteran talent, while showing off its international credentials.

The 23rd edition of the annual fashion event goes on until February 7, and will feature four foreign brands and 23 from Catalonia, all presenting their new collections.

The international contingent will be made up of Turkey's Umit Benan, South African label Chulaap, the Peruvian designer of Asian origin Esaú Yori, and Columbian firm Polite.

Also participating in the event will be such classic local labels as Antonio Miró, Custo Barcelona, Teoh&Lea and Lebor Gabala.

Fashion in the "city's genes," says major

At the inauguration in the Recinte Modernista Sant Pau, Barcelona mayor Ada Colau highlighted the city's links with creativity and fashion, which she said are in the "city's genes."

Alongside the fashion show will be parallel events for the public, such as a new exhibition space for independent design called 'Pop Up Gallery' featuring a score of flash retailers.

30 international firms at Fashion Showroom

This year also sees the return of the 080 Fashion Showroom, the event's commercial and business meeting place, which will include the participation of 30 international companies.

Also taking part will be the city's fashion schools, as part of Barcelona Fashion Summit, which will feature some of the final projects from students on the point of graduating.

A major event in the city's annual calendar, over a thousand journalists from 400 media outlets around the world are accredited to cover 080 Barcelona Fashion 2019.