After six days devoted to bridal fashion, the twenty-seventh edition of Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week closes this afternoon, having recorded significant growth in the number of brands, buyers and media professionals at the show. The event was the focal point of the world’s gaze over the past week in terms of both the prestige of its catwalk show and its status as the nerve centre of the bridal business during the trade fair.
The leading firms in the world of bridal fashion and ceremonial wear took part in this edition of BBFW, organised by Fira de Barcelona, which featured the offerings of 308 brands, up 15% compared to 2016, of which 65% came from abroad, accounting for the biggest percentage in the event’s history. The event was attended by 850 key buyers who were contacted directly by the organisers, 30% more than the previous year, coming from Europe, especially Italy, France and the UK, as well as Germany, Portugal, Belgium and the Netherlands. Buyers also came from the USA, Mexico and Japan, all of which are target regions in the show’s internationalisation strategy.
The BBFW catwalk showcased the trends for 2018
In addition, 25 prestigious firms chose BBFW to present their creations for the coming Spring/Summer 2018 season. Rosa Clará; Studio St. Patrick (from Pronovias Fashion Group); Jesús Peiró; Cristina Tamborero; Sophie et Voilà Collection; YolanCris; Isabel Sanchís; Inmaculada García; Marylise & Rembo Styling; Isabel Zapardiez; Ana Torres; Raimon Bundó, celebrating the company’s 50th anniversary this year; Jordi Dalmau and Matilde Cano; Marco & María; Cabotine by Gema Nicolás; Galia Lahav; Cymbeline; Ramón Sanjurjo; Carla Ruiz; Sonia Peña; and Morilee Madeline Gardner; Demetrios and Pronovias.
Barcelona Bridal Night, held in Barcelona’s Pedralbes Palace, was the scenario for the fashion show by Ángel Sánchez, one of the favourite designers of US celebrities such as Sandra Bullock, Eva Longoria and Meryl Streep. The event was attended by society luminaries such as Peruvian ‘it’ girl and fiancée of Prince Christian of Hannover, Sassa de Osma; choreographer Rafael Amargo; actress Manuela Velasco; Argentinian model and wife of football coach Diego Simeone, Carla Pereyra; Spanish model Helen Lindes, and actress Macarena Gómez with her husband Aldo Comas, amongst others.
According to Estermaria Laruccia, the director of Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week, ‘the designers’ creativity aligned with the long-standing tradition and experience of the fashion firms resulted in some really first-class collections. The positive results of this edition of BBFW have inspired us with the drive to continue our ambition to improve year on year, underlining our commitment to internationalisation and the highest calibre of brands and buyers. Our goal is to consolidate the event as the international platform for the elite of bridal fashion, turning Barcelona into the world’s bridal capital.’
Meanwhile, Marta Raich, the president of BBFW, confirms that ‘the BBFW 2017 catwalk was a triumph of haute cuisine, design and quality, as well as featuring a really spectacular scenario. And the trade fair, the area dedicated to business, had a more plural, international and varied offering than ever this year, with more than 20,000 dresses and all kinds of accessories. In addition, the large number of very important buyers with excellent purchasing power with whom our exhibitors closed deals further underlined the show as a top level driver of the sector’s economy.’
With definitive visitor numbers yet to be confirmed, it is estimated that around 18,900 people attended the bridal week in Barcelona this year, including the catwalk shows and the trade fair, some 5% more than in 2016. Media coverage of the event was guaranteed by the over 670 accredited international and Spanish journalists in attendance.
The week dedicated to bridal fashions, grooms’ apparel, occasion wear and accessories will be back in Spring 2018 at Fira de Barcelona to present the 2019 collections from the world’s leading bridal fashion firms.
Barcelona, 30 April 2017
Photos and videos available here
Press dossier here
For the dossier with descriptions of the collections shown on the catwalk, click here
Mª Gloria Dilluvio – Fira de Barcelona Press
(+34) 93 233 21 72 – (+34) 609 73 47 70
gdilluvio@firabarcelona.com
Eva Martín – XXL Comunicación
(+34) 93 452 65 00
eva@xxlcomunicacion.com
