Madrid is Spain’s capital and the seat of the Spanish fashion industry. It is also Spain’s poshest city.
Madrid’s top fashion event is Pasarela Cibeles (since 2012 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid), held twice a year. Attended by all the major industry professionals as well as the Who-is-Who of Madrid’s high society, Cibeles showcases Spain’s leading fashion designers and also offers the young generation a chance to shine and to be noticed.
While playing host to brands from all over the country, Madrid does have its home shoe and leather accessories labels. The long-established Loewe brand specializes in fine leather accessories and is well integrated into the European luxury market. The talented designer Sara Navarro, originally from Elda, Alicante, directs her brand Sarah World from Madrid. Madrid is also the home base of Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, Spain’s fashion pioneer who regularly animates fashion-show crowds with her parade of colors.
Hoss Intropia produces footwear aimed at the elegant, creative, and professional woman. The Malababa brand, which makes shoes, handbags, and other accessories, creates an urban look with an artistic flair. De Flores y Floreros brand makes pretty ballet flats with a slightly bohemian touch. The miMaO brand makes light summer footwear – their line up of sneakers is exceptionally flirty.
Olivia Palermo, Madrid’s quintessential “posh girl” or “pija”.
Madrileños (both male and female) decked out in their finest, merrily cavorting and flirting with each other on the streets of the city in La Cometa (The Kite) by Francisco Goya, cartoon for a tapestry, 1778, Museo del Prado, Madrid.
