‘A couturier must be an architect for design, a sculptor for form, a painter for colour, a musician for harmony and a philosopher for measure’. In the words of Cristóbal Balenciaga himself, we find the essence of his creativity and of what can rightly be called art. Art that is celebrated in the exhibition organised and curated by Javier Echeverría Sola ‘BALENCIAGA | Shoes from Spain Tribute’, which will be held at Palazzo Morando in Milan on the occasion of MICAM and Milano Moda Donna, from 21 February to 2 March.
The project is promoted by the Federation of Spanish Footwear Industries (FICE) and, in particular, by its president Rosana Perán, who is also president of the European Footwear Confederation (CEC) and vice-president of the Pikolinos group. ‘This exhibition is a dialogue between the values of creativity, quality, excellence, know-how and innovation that defined the Haute Couture ateliers of master Cristóbal Balenciaga. Values that are still heartfelt today in the craftsmanship of our shoe companies – as we like to say, travelling from tradition to innovation,’ says Rosana Perán.
Cristóbal Balenciaga is known for his revolutionary approach to the female silhouette. With this in mind, FICE, in collaboration with Elisa Ossino’s studio, decided to create an exhibition that would bring together two realities with Spanish DNA – the myth of the great couturier and the most brilliant exponents of the Spanish footwear industry today. The exhibition thus aims to be a bridge to present the tradition of Marca España in Milan, the prestigious world fashion capital and symbol of Made in Italy.
Twenty-five models by Cristóbal Balenciaga are on show, in an unprecedented exhibition, from museum and private collections. These are matched by a series of shoes from as many Spanish brands, carefully selected by a jury of Italian and Spanish professionals. Also exemplary in this context is the archive material, which includes newspapers and photographs from the couturier’s decades of activity.
The footwear, made exclusively for this event, was produced by the following twenty-five Spanish companies: Alhamas, Alohas, Casteller, Chie Mihara, Creaciones S. W., De Flores Y Floreros, Flabelus, Gaimo, Hispanitas, Jutelia, Lottusse, Magnanni, Magrit, Martinelli, Mascaró, Pedro Garcia, Pedro Miralles, Pertini, Pikolinos, Pitillos, Pons Quintana, Pretty Ballerinas, Ras, Ria Menorca and Zinda. These are part of the more than 400 companies represented by the Federation of Spanish Footwear Industries (FICE), which brings together around 90% of national footwear production. Founded in 1977, FICE plays a key role in the promotion and internationalisation of the Spanish footwear sector, supporting companies in accessing new markets, organising international trade fairs and developing strategies to consolidate the global presence of the ‘Shoes from Spain’ brand.
In addition to the support of ICEX, and through it the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Enterprise, the exhibition ‘BALENCIAGA | Shoes from Spain Tribute’ boasts the support of all the autonomous communities with a strong footwear tradition, the Valencian Community, the Balearic Islands, La Rioja, Castilla-La Mancha and Murcia, as well as Acción Cultural Española and CESCE. The exhibition is also sponsored by the City of Milan and the National Chamber for Italian Fashion.
