Custo Barcelona holds its 50th fashion show in New York

Spanish designer Custo Dalmau held his 50th fashion show in New York on Sunday, with creativity "at the forefront" in an industry that is increasingly strategy-oriented, as reported by Efe.

Custo Barcelona's new "Sun o'clock" collection presented 50 designs for Spring/Summer 2023, featuring mini dresses, shimmering fabrics and revealing cutouts in order to "seduce women".

The designer opted to hold this symbolic fashion show at the "kitsch" synagogue of the Angel Orensanz Foundation in Manhattan, and while putting the finishing touches to the event, he expressed his gratitude for such an important milestone, while acknowledging the hard work that went into the show. 

According to Dalmau, the key elements for his brand have been to evolve " while maintaining its identity", to "mature without getting old" and to not lose optimism, but above all to adapt to changes "by putting creativity first".

"Fashion has changed a lot since we started 42 years ago. It used to be a creative industry but is now strategic, logistical... Creativity is still present, but it is one of the least important components, whereas it used to be the most important," he said.

"Without creativity, what are we? There are fashion projects that are commercial, I respect them and I'm sure they do very well, but we have opted to be creative," he added.

With his characteristic good humor and energy, the designer also relived the excitement of being the first foreigner invited to participate in New York Fashion Week 25 years ago.

"It was a lot of fun. It still is, but the experience gradually mellows you out. We were more spontaneous, we didn't know what was going to happen and we wanted to do incredible things," he explained.

At the time, he felt like "a kid being let out at recess to play and have a good time," he said, admitting that the experience inevitably robbed him of some of his spontaneity.

The New York Times then devoted a full page to "customanía", which debuted alongside some thirty American brands of which only half have remained the same as his to date.

Custo Barcelona, which will present this expanded collection in a few days in Madrid, was joined for its show in New York by Spanish model Agueda Lopez, wife of singer Luis Fonsi, and Mexican model Andrea Meza, former Miss Universe.