Whether you´re a fashion enthusiast or simply a lover of funky Barcelona events, The Brandery Winter 2012 is a must for anyone visiting the Catalan capital this month. This must-see show will take place from January 27-29 at the Fira de Barcelona in Montjuïc, only a short metro ride away from the very city center. Featuring some of the biggest names in Spanish and international contemporary fashion, The Brandery will bring industry professionals and the public together for a weekend of catwalk shows, key-notes, exhibitions, concerts, workshops and more. Read on to find out exactly what to expect in this year´s edition of the hottest fashion fair this winter in Barcelona.
The Brandery is broken down into 4 areas: The Tradeshow, Brandtown, Fashion Show and The City, each offering different opportunities for both visitors and participants.
The Tradeshow
The Tradeshow, the main event at the Brandery, is reserved for trade professionals only. The Tradeshow will be broken down into three divisions: Fashion, Denim, and Sports & Street. Here, buyers will find a multitude of top brands with creative ideas and innovative styles. The Tradeshow will also house various debates, an exclusive catwalk, and quick-fire meetings between fashion firms and international buyers. Professionals must register online, and the cost of the event is 30€ for one day and 50€ for all three.
Brandtown
The Brandtown event will be open to both trade professionals and public visitors, connecting fashion labels directly to their end consumers in a dynamic and creative atmosphere. At Brandtown, visitors can discover trends and products by over 100 top-name brands – with no barriers! The price for public visitors to Brandtown is 15€ for one day and 35€ for three days, and the event will be open from 15:00-20:30 on Friday and Saturday, and 15:00-20:00 on Sunday.
Visitors to Brandtown will be treated as professionals in training. They will have the opportunity to engage in workshops and studios to observe the creative process involved in the manufacturing and generating of stylish clothing. Here, guests can learn to knit with giant needles and even become models. There will also be various exhibitions and films for the public. One of the exhibits, Fashion and Art, explores various artists and their influences on modern day fashion, and vice-versa, with brand names creating art. One of the highlights available for viewing will be an exhibit of “toys” customized by brands such as Nike and Levi´s.
Not only an event for fashionistas, those attending The Brandery can experience the transformation of Brandtown into a top concert venue organized by Sonar Festival. Live performances will be held on Saturday January 28 by Undo and Doran, with 2Many DJs headlining the show. On Sunday January 29 visitors can experience the music of Buenavista, Fangoria and The Zombie Kids.
The City
In the weeks leading up to The Brandery, Barcelona has been host to a range of activities and exhibitions, from a massive collection of used jeans to a window dressing competition at Christmastime. Further expositions and other events will take place during and after The Brandery, offering those who missed the event, a chance to catch up on the latest fashion-related exhibits in Barcelona.
The Fashion Show
The Fashion Show, otherwise known as The Brandery Catwalk, will be the festival´s biggest event, showcasing all brands interested in displaying their works in action. The catwalk, starting at 13:00 for industry professionals, will continue through the afternoon and into the evening, ending around 20:00, allowing public visitors an opportunity to catch the fashion too. A full list of schedules, activities, and information can be found at the Brandery’s Facebook page.
How to get there:
To get to The Brandery, located at the Fira de Barcelona in Montjuïc, visitors can take the metro on L1 or L3 to the “Espanya” station or take the TMB Bus on lines 9; 13; 27; 30; 37; 50; 56; 57; 65; 79; 91; 109; 153; or 157 to Montjuïc. Easily accessible from anywhere within the city, guests can stay in one of many Barcelona apartments close to the venue, or choose one of the beach apartments in Barcelona and enjoy the city to its fullest.
