Creatives to Watch- 080 Barcelona Fashion 34 in October

Patrick Michael Hughes Senior Fashion Editor Men's Fashion Writer

Carlota Barrera @ 080 Barcelona Fashion

Twenty-four designers and brands are set to take the stage for the 34th edition of 080 Barcelona Fashion, a celebrated fashion showcase promoted by the Generalitat de Catalunya through the Department of Business and Labor, in collaboration with the Consorci de Comerç, Artesania i Moda (CCAM). The event will run from October 14th to 17th at the stunning Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau, an iconic architectural masterpiece that serves as the perfect backdrop for this innovative gathering.

080 Barcelona Fashion Week continues to be a leading platform for the transformation of Catalonia’s fashion scene, both at home and abroad. Known for fostering innovation and creativity, the upcoming edition of fashion week will also spotlight key industry values such as sustainability, circularity, and diversity.

It serves not just as a runway for cutting-edge designs but as a vital space for dialogue, encouraging creators and industry leaders to rethink and explore new forms of expression, consumption, and relationships within the fashion world. This year’s event is poised to be more than just a fashion show—it’s a catalyst for meaningful change in the global fashion industry.

Carlota Barrera @ 080 Barcelona Fashion

Among the most compelling names set to take the stage at 080 Barcelona Fashion is Carlota Barrera, winner of the 2019 Vogue Fashion Fund Spain .Her men’s label is not just at the forefront of a new way of dressing—it’s redefining the essence of menswear in an era where boundaries are meant to be blurred. Barrera's collections are masterclasses in deconstruction, reminiscent of the nineties avant-garde Belgian designers who tore apart the conventional rules of fashion and stitched them back together with artful rebellion. For 080 Barcelona Fashion 33, 'Carlota Barrera and Wekaforé come together in the show of the Carlota Barrera Core Collection to merge cultures and perspectives at the onset of a multidisciplinary collaboration.' The brand states it's a wardrobe curated for the modern-day time traveler—a voyager who effortlessly navigates the realms of past, present, and future– the Core Collection defies the constraints of nostalgia; instead, it roots in the present boldly declaring a manifesto of fluidity. It paves the way ahead, envisioning a world where clothing serves as a catalyst for transformation in an ever-shifting landscape."

Barrera’s designs are consciously crafted, infusing timeless tailoring with a contemporary, almost subversive edge. Her garments are not mere clothes; they’re striking, architectural complements to the body—luxury pieces that whisper craftsmanship and scream innovation. Every seam, every fold, is a nod to the art of tailoring, reimagined for the fluid identities of today’s world.

She doesn’t just design for men—she designs for a new era of man, a figure that embodies fluidity, crossing and erasing the lines of gender with ease. Barrera’s work is a progressive tapestry of sustainability and deconstruction, creating a wardrobe for the modern-day time traveler. Her latest collection dismantles nostalgia and plants itself firmly in the present, boldly proclaiming a manifesto of fluidity, modernity, and craft.

Lemāchet @080 Barcelona Fashion

Lemāchet, the brainchild of Lucía Sánchez, is a menswear label that’s unapologetically rewriting the rules of traditional tailoring. With new cuts, bold shapes, and unexpected materials, Sánchez challenges the old guard, breathing fresh life into men’s fashion. For the upcoming season, Lemāchet promises to push boundaries even further, cementing itself as a beacon of creativity and innovation in a space often steeped in rigid convention.

At 080 Barcelona Fashion 32 Sánchez debuted 'I Am, But' a collection that felt more like a personal manifesto than a typical runway show. It was a reflection on the artist’s journey—those raw moments of doubt and hesitation that fuel creativity. She acknowledged the universal fear of the blank canvas, and through deconstruction and re-imagination, set out to redefine men’s tailoring. 'I Am, But' wasn’t just a collection; it was an invitation to explore, dismantle, and start anew.

Photographs - Lemachet @ 080 Barcelona Fashion

At its core, Lemāchet is about more than clothes—it’s about communication. Every stitch, every fold tells a story of transformation. The tailoring is precise, yet daring, akin to an artist wielding a brush, reworking a canvas until the image feels just right. Sánchez has an uncanny ability to blend the whimsical with the innovative, crafting garments that challenge the notion of what men’s fashion can and should be. Historically, fashion has always walked a fine line between utility and art. In Lemāchet’s collections, we see the pendulum swing toward the latter. Not unlike artists of any era, Sánchez invites us to question, to reconstruct, and, ultimately, to create anew.

Outsiders Division- 080 Barcelona Fashion

Outsiders Division, under the daring vision of Creative Director David Méndez Alonso, is one of the most eagerly awaited collections for its unapologetic individuality and brash quirk. There’s something distinctly London about Alonso’s work, despite his Spanish roots—an eccentric mix of playful irreverence and DIY rebellion that recalls the club-kid days of New York meeting the underground grit of London’s fashion scene. Think Bobby Abley’s whimsical use of Looney Tunes and Pokémon characters, or the audacious, gender-bending flair of Charles Jeffrey Loverboy. It’s fashion with a wink, where humor meets counterculture and performative dressing.

Alonso’s signature style thrives on contradictions, weaving together elements that shouldn't work but somehow find a harmonious clash on the runway. His last presentation at 080 Barcelona Fashion 32, titled 'Extraordinary' lived up to its name. The collection drew from a dizzying array of influences, from pop culture to underground subversion, and contemporary art to everyday street style. What emerged was a riot of color, pattern, and unexpected combinations—a preppy-punk aesthetic that’s as whimsical as it is rebellious.

Outsiders Divion @ 080 Barcelona Fashion

Outsiders Division exudes an almost naïve sense of freedom, the kind that encourages wearers to throw off conventions and embrace a world of playful anarchy. These are clothes for the daring, the dreamers, the outsiders—the ones who see fashion not as a set of rules but as a playground. Méndez Alonso taps into a spirit of experimentation, where mainstream and underground aesthetics collide, leaving the viewer in a state of anticipation for what comes next. It’s club culture redefined, where dressing up is an act of defiance, art, and pure joy.

Paolo Leduc @ 080 Barcelona Fashion

There’s an undeniable sense of anticipation surrounding Paolo Leduc, a brand that fuses Spanish and French influences, as it prepares to take center stage this October. Founded by Paolo Chulia Leduc, the label brings the raw energy of a streetwise graffiti artist who has a deep appreciation for high fashion. His signature approach—deconstructed silhouettes and classic tailoring with a twist—was on full display in his latest collection, Contraband Goods at 080 BarcelonaFashion 32 the dark and stirring runway opened with gunshots in the dark with nods to the 'Cholos and Vatos Locos, the collection channels the rebellious spirit of Mexican street culture.

Leduc’s work is a study in contrasts, blending baroque opulence with the rugged grit of street style. Drawing from both his graffiti origins and his fascination with the darker side of urban life, he takes inspiration from everything from boxing rings to underground fight clubs, creating a collection that feels cinematic, visceral, and unapologetically bold. His 'Contraband Goods' collection evokes the raw power of Martin Scorsese’s 'Gangs of New York, while simultaneously nodding to New York’s own Willy Charvarria a top contender for Menswear Designer of the Year. It’s as much a cultural conversation as it is a sartorial statement. The performative nature also felt timely in terms of conversation and art. The latest production of Bizet's Carmen took a darker turn in New York's Metropolitan Opera and in the London staging. The issues of boarder towns immigrant gangs, corruption and contraband infused the contemporary production.

However, 'Contraband Goods' is more than just a tribute to street culture or film. Leduc deftly balances chaos and control, merging paint with thread, light with shadow, in a way that feels both punk and precise. It’s the mark of a designer who has found his stride, where rebellious roots meet refined tailoring.

With Paolo Leduc’s distinct voice at the forefront of fashion, the anticipation only grows. As the world watches, one thing is clear—Leduc is just getting started, and he’s about to shake things up in a big way.

Paolo Leduc @ 080 Barcelona Fashion

Paolo Leduc 080 Barcelona Fashion 32