Barcelona is ready for 4 days of fresh talent and style at the annual 080 Autumn/Winter Fashion Week

Barcelona (CNA).- This week Barcelona welcomes international figures in fashion and the media for the 15^th edition of the 080 Barcelona Fashion Week, taking place from Monday the 2nd until Thursday the 5th. Over 30 designers will showcase their new Autumn/Winter creations over four days. For the first time, the show will be held in the Maritime Museum of Barcelona, where both upcoming talent and Catalan favourites like Desigual and Mango are set to own the catwalk. 

The museum of fashion

This year's edition of the 080 Barcelona Fashion Week will be held in the Maritime Museum, in the Drassanes area of the city. The Gothic building, once home to the Royal Shipyard of Barcelona will be transformed into a venue of glamour. The decision to move the fashion show here is due to 080 Barcelona Fashion's enthusiasm to promote Barcelona internationally, by selecting landmark venues in the city. The museum will still remain open to the public, however, visitors will need an accreditation to enter the open area of the fashion show; which is available on the official 080 website. The open area will contain the pop up fashion market, with over 40 different creative artists and designers selling their clothes and accessories between 10am and 9pm, a photo exhibition by Ruven Afanador, an art exhibition by Celia Vela and the 080 TV channel.

Desigual as anticipated as ever

The popular brand from Barcelona, known for its vibrancy and eclectic patterns, sets to live up to its trademark style at this year's Fashion Week. Their most anticipated line for 2015 is the Menswear collection, which will be revealed on February 3rd at 9pm. Top Spanish male model Andrés Velencoso and Barcelona's own Oriol Elcacho will take to the catwalk to showcase the brand's Autumn/Winter designs. This year, the audience can expect to see printed polo shirts, classic Welsh plaid, and sport-luxe designs on the Desigual catwalk.

Sita Murt's memory lives on

Catalan designer Sita Murt died suddenly of cancer on 1 December 2014 at the age of 68. Now the Esteve/Murt family are determined to continue the Sita Murt fashion brand and will present the first collection since her death, at this year's fashion show. The Sita Murt parade will take place on February 3 and will be the most emotional and poignant moment of this year's fashion week. Murt worked in the fashion industry for over three decades and was devoted to promoting Catalonia’s textile sector firms both nationally and globally. Miquel Rodríguez, the show's manager, spoke of her death as a great loss to the industry and referred to her as a “feisty and creative” woman.

080's Financial Success

Records show that since Rodriguez took over the managing position of the show in 2010, there has been a 47% increase in the number of parades at the 080 Fashion week. An enormous237% more attendees and 384% more news media have been recorded. These are promising figures for the Catalan Government who believe in providing a platform for small companies to gain worldwide recognition. The promotion and expansion of the fashion sector is vitally important for Catalonia's economy.

Award for fashion's rising talent

This year, the 080 Barcelona Fashion award gains National award status and is aimed at the industry's emerging talent within the country. The contenders will show their designs on the catwalk over the 4 days and a jury of internationally renowned designers and at least four professionals and a president from the fashion sector, will determine a winner based on the creativity, quality and commercial potential of their work. The award is worth €20,000 euros and will be used to boost sales activity and publicity around the world for the winning designer; who will also get to present their next collection at the 16th edition of 080 Barcelona Fashion and have part of their line housed at the Fashion Museum of Catalonia, located within the Design Hub building.  

The designers that will be showcasing their collections at this year's 080 Barcelona Fashion week are (in order of parade): Paul Erroz, Edgar Carrascal, Celia Vela, Brain & Beast, Mango, CND by Condor, Boboli, Txell Miras, Lebor Gabala, TCN, Miriam Ponsa, Josep Abril, Sita Murt, Desigual, Georgina Vendrell, Isometric. Krizia Robustella, Page, Naulover, Yerse, Manuel Bolaño, Miquel Suay, Menchén Tomas, Custo Barcelona, oscarleon, Rita Row,Who, Aldomartins, Punto Blanco, Torras, Scorpion, Natalie Capell and Justicia Ruano.