Spring in Colour

By Bella Bia Od Jovany

Last month the city of Malaga hosted a one-of-a-kind, fashion weekend extravaganza. Set in the stunning Grand Hotel Miramar, the event showcased both menswear and womenswear,  mixing new talent with established designers.

The brainchild of María José González, director of NuevaModa Producciones, the ‘TENMOD WEEKEND 2023’ successfully brought together fashion and Andalucian culture and Society Marbella were granted an all access pass.  With more than 35 designers presenting their collections, our reporter Nia Petrova gives the low down on who will potentially be the next big thing in the world of fashion.

Bartolomé Barrera winner of the “TM Talentos Noveles,”  opened the show. . Many of his designs featured a more traditionally masculine silhouette, which he paired with oversized bows.

Last year's winner, María Fernández was also in attendance. Her streetwear brand “Zzariafrdz” stood out due to it being a one-of-a-kind, upcycled collection. Influenced by Maison Margiela, John Galliano, and contemporary art, the designer strives to create high quality, versatile, unisex pieces by carefully choosing items which can be recycled and transformed into high-quality fashion.

Agatha Ruiz de la Prada brought ‘kitsch’ to the runway. Showcasing her eye popping colourful approach to fashion, she incorporated overlapping motifs and colour blocking, whilst drawing inspiration from the pop art movement.’ The designer's son Tristán Ramírez explained, ‘ The philosophy of the brand is based on the belief that if you dress with colour, it’s much harder to be sad.’

Pepe Canela’s collection was heavily influenced by Hollywood's golden age of cinema and costume design. Referencing movies like “Dolce Vita,” he drew inspiration from the Oscar winning designer Piero Gherardi.

Esteban Freiría reminded us that fashion is one of the most creative forms of art. His surrealist designs featured elements inspired not just by Andalusian culture and nature but also by one of the greatest painters, Pablo Picasso.

Rafael Urquízar gave us the ultimate fashion show experience by presenting 37 spectacular looks. Structured silhouettes in red and black, with a touch of gold, were the main focus of the show.

Carlos Benguigui showcased that menswear can be simplistic, yet still exciting. Combing quality made garments with out-of-the-box detailing, he turned the traditional idea of a suit on its head, yet still giving it an elegant feel.

Moncho Heredia stole the show with their breathtaking designs. The primary colour of the collection was a beautiful deep purple, paying homage to Málaga’s culture, whilst also representing the motto,  ‘to thrive and rise above.’

The ‘must have’ item

Blazers were given the structured treatment at Bartolomé Barrera, Pepe Canela, and Rafael Urquízar, confirming that the waist-cinching silhouette is going to be trending this year.

Retro with a twist

The 1950s was an inspiration for many creatives, which they brought up to date with the use of vibrant colours and patterns. This was executed perfectly by ‘Jokoth by Belinda Okoth’ and ‘Pepe Canela.’

Seeing Red

Both established and new designers used strong colour palettes in interesting combinations. Echoing the trends seen at Milan and Paris fashion week, vibrant red dominated the shows, whilst oranges, greens, pinks and deep purples were also heavily featured.

Elevate your look

Embellishments have been trending on the runway worldwide, and many of the TENMOD designers showed their take on this versatile trend, particularly bows, flowers, and butterflies.

All made up

The creative vision for the hair and makeup was in the talented hands of Lulu Perez and her students from the Antonio Eloy’s Hair & Beauty Academy.  Glowing skin, flushed cheeks, and a pop of colour on the lips completed the look. Lulu told Society Marbella that the focus was on a perfect base, which later on would be transformed throughout the show.

To unite and inspire

Creating a fashion collection is a complex process, but when done with ‘passion’ it can set you apart from the rest. This event brought together creatives, who have the vision and flair to design collections which stand out for numerous reasons. From upcycling couture to embracing the Andalusian culture, they showed us that fashion is about being aware, present and having a ‘passion’ for what you do.

Maria Jose and her team proved once again that Malaga has what it takes to be recognized in the fashion industry. They have created a community where local and foreign designers, models, stylists, photographers, editors, and fashion enthusiasts can find common ground and explore the art of fashion together. To unite and to inspire here in Málaga where the sun is brighter, the nights are hotter and the fashion is created with ‘passion.’