Full report: Palomo Spain men´s fashion show Fall/Winter 2020-21
Alejandro Gómez Palomo is a well known Spanish fashion designer who changed the rules of men’s fashion world with his first collection “Orlando” presented in Madrid in 2016. He broke the division between feminine and masculine garments. Together with the international fame at only 25 years old, Palomo not only had to bear the weight (or the crux) of freeing men from the old fashion system stereotypes. He also had the responsibility to resurrect the Spanish fashion fate from the local reality to the international level.
Four years later, after the “fast and furious” career while dressing Madonna, Rosalia, Beyoncé, and other international celebrities, having his creation exhibited at MET of New York (as part of the exhibition “Notes on Fashion”) and participating in a Spanish television show, he is now going to present his new men’s collection and I am eager to see it!
On a very very cold morning in Paris the designer from Córdoba invites us to a “rave” or better “after-party” to see “ecstasy”- his new 2020 men’s fall-winter collection. It is presented inside an abandoned warehouse located in the middle of the picturesque district of Belleville.
The freezing crowd is waiting patiently outside to attend the show. It is full of artists and fashion personalities: the singer Héloïsse Latissier of Christine and the Queens, the Spanish rapper Tangana, the Vogue editor-at-large Hamish Bowles, the fashion photographer Gorka Postigo, the drag queen Violet Chachki and a colorful crowd of Palomo’s friends and fans.
After waiting in the “parisienne” breeze, we are gently pushed inside the raw warehouse together with the whole group, no discrimination at Palomo´s. There are press-release on the guest’s seats. They contain fake ecstasy pills (sorry to disappoint you) together with a printed image of Bernini’s “Ecstasy of Saint Teresa” in acid colors, which give a clear hint of the collection that we´re about to see.
In this new collection for fall-winter 2020, Palomo not only brought all the Spanish roots and influences as El Greco, flamenco, or matadors – this time he also invited us to a more global journey while mixing up green embroidered Tibetan Sherpa look, American cargo pants, and Texas boots.
The Catholic Church is strong in the Spanish heritage ( …don’t tell me about the strength of it… I am from Rome) so Palomo Spain shows beautiful ecclesial garment looks with church incense burner that even Fellini would probably love!!!
Palomo´s love for historical men’s garments also doesn’t disappoint. It is easily spotted on shoulders, sleeves, and collar shapes, as well as the textiles presented in the collection (floral brocade and velvet). Some outfits seemed to come out from historical paintings but with renewed energy like for example an organza shirt with volant (which could easily become a mini dress) or a white Victorian blouse that was worn on pants with antique print.
This year, for the joy of the buyers, Palomo Spain delivered an extra amount of more wearable garments, including different tailored suits, some of which had pearls hanging from pockets, others were inlaid with Chantilly lace. There was also “jungle acid print” (his admiration for Donatella Versace is not a secret), sporty extra-large fit and dark denim pieces combined with yellow acid color lace. All mixed up with his iconic python over knee boots and ostrich feather fans in an unmistakable Palomo Spain signature style.
This young designer didn’t lose the desire to explore and enjoy his work and that was tangible in this collection! It was indeed full of neon colors and new inspirations, giving us the desire to dream again!
Palomo invited us all to the Spanish “ecstasy party” and all were in it!!! Lucifer
