SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 17 Feb (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Canary Islands’ tourism board will celebrate the islands’ authenticity and uniqueness at Spain’s most prestigious fashion event, the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Madrid (MBFWM). Renowned designer Juan Duyos will feature handcrafted accessories from the archipelago in his upcoming collection ‘Islas Canary Islands. Winter’.
Jéssica de León, the Minister of Tourism and Employment of the Government of the Canary Islands, stated, “Alongside the well-known attributes of our region, such as the pleasant climate and breathtaking landscapes, we also aim to promote our distinct aspects while showcasing Canarian talent and positioning ourselves as an inspiring destination.”
Duyos will unveil his Fall-Winter 2024 collection at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Madrid, drawing inspiration from his visit to the archipelago and capturing the sensory richness of local landscapes and traditional crafts. Through ‘Canary Islands. Winter’, Duyos pays homage to the archipelago’s rich history and culture, creating a collection that encapsulates the essence of this Atlantic paradise. Fashion serves as a bridge between the past and the future, uniting tradition with innovation in every detail.
As a tribute to Canarian crafts, Duyos, with the assistance of Turismo de Canarias, is reviving historical crafts preserved on each island, from the rosettes of Lanzarote to the openwork of Gran Canaria, macramé and crochet of Fuerteventura, native wool yarn from El Hierro, leather goods from La Gomera, Canarian earrings from Tenerife, and historic silk spinning from La Palma. Each piece in the collection is conceived as an ode to the authenticity and pride of Canarian traditions.
The project began with the designer and his team visiting the islands to meet the artisans and their crafts personally. Following an intensive day of work, Duyos selected the pieces that he would include in his collection, which were specially made for this purpose.
THE ARTISANS
The artisans whose creations will grace Spain’s most important catwalk include Antonio Betancor in Lanzarote, Juan Gil in Tenerife, Carmen Díaz in La Palma, Candelaria Martín in Gran Canaria, Melissa Herrero in Fuerteventura, Beatriz Ballester in El Hierro, and Titane Ide in La Gomera. These artisans specialise in a variety of traditional crafts, passed down through generations.
THE DESIGNER
Juan Duyos, born in Madrid, began his career in 1992 with the designer Manuel Piña while simultaneously designing collections with Cecilia Paniagua and collaborating with Antonio Pernas. In 1999, the designer launched his first collection as Duyos, ‘Remember and save’, which was selected as the best at Cibeles.
Throughout his career, he has garnered several accolades, such as Glamour, Lancia, and Vanidad, among others. His ‘A floating garden’ collection for summer 2022 marked his return to the MBFWM after the hiatus caused by the pandemic and received the L’Oreal Award for the best collection of the season. In 2021, Duyos also designed the staff uniform for the Spanish Pavilion at the Dubai Universal Expo.