- The brand emerged victorious from among the 23 established contenders in this edition and takes over from MANS, the winner in March of the first instalment of this award, created to highlight the craftsmanship and excellence of designer fashion made in Spain.
- The jury, comprising Asier Labarga, director of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid; Valeria Mazza, model, entrepreneur and presenter; Jaime Álvarez, creative director at MANS; Victoria Nogales, fashion stylist; and Javier Plazas, an expert in the digital and strategic transformation of luxury brands, selected Redondo Brand for its “La Doña” collection, a range inspired by Mexico.
There are collections that speak for themselves, capable of creating a whole universe around them. At this edition of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid, that universe took shape in “La Doña”, Redondo Brand’s collection inspired by the figure of María Félix and the Mexican imagination, which has won the Mercedes-Benz Award for Best Collection. A collection in which colour, movement and craftsmanship come together to reinterpret, from a contemporary perspective, the strength and elegance of one of the great figures of Mexican culture.
With this award – the most eagerly anticipated among the 23 designers taking part in this edition – Mercedes-Benz highlights the savoir-faire of Spanish fashion, creative excellence, quality and craftsmanship, recognising the most outstanding collection from among the 23 established labels that took to the catwalk between 14 and 18 September.
On the evening of Friday 18 September, the Reina Sofía Museum hosted the awards ceremony, where model, businesswoman and jury member Valeria Mazza, alongside the President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Spain, Reiner Hoeps, announced the verdict and presented the Mercedes-Benz Award for Best Collection to Jorge Redondo, the brand’s creative director. After receiving the award, the designer offered a few words of thanks:
“With this collection, I have managed to rediscover myself, listening to nothing but what I felt like doing and without fearing anything. I have tried to honour fashion, to surprise and, above all, to give back a little of everything it offers me: a great deal of happiness”.
The ceremony served as the grand finale to the series of established shows on the calendar, which were held at various venues across the city, such as the Hotel Palace, the Arganzuela Conservatory, the Crystal Gallery at the Palacio de Cibeles, the Rose Garden in Parque del Oeste, the Gardens of the Vista Alegre Palaces, the Royal Collections Gallery and the Communication and Arts Campus at Nebrija University.
The collection that won over the jury
“La Doña”, by Redondo Brand, was the creation that captivated the jury in this second edition of the Mercedes-Benz Award for Best Collection, thanks to its ability to combine a contemporary vision with colour, craftsmanship and the richness of Mexican culture, creating a unique atmosphere. The jury comprised Asier Labarga, director of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid; Valeria Mazza, model, businesswoman and presenter; Victoria Nogales, fashion stylist; Javier Plazas, an expert in the digital and strategic transformation of luxury brands; and Jaime Álvarez, creative director at MANS and winner of the first edition of the award in March.
When assessing the various entries and reaching a decision, the panel of experts took into account criteria such as excellence in quality and tailoring, styling and presentation, the creative concept and storytelling, the techniques employed, and the signature ‘Made in Spain’ design.
“In an edition characterised by quality and talent, Redondo Brand’s collection stood out for its excellence, with an impeccable creation in every aspect: from the concept and tailoring to the styling and staging, which manages to immerse you completely in the atmosphere of the collection”, stated the jury members after announcing the verdict.
The fashion show took place on the afternoon of Thursday 17 September in the gardens of the palaces at the Vista Alegre Estate. To the sound of mariachi music, the models walked the catwalk, bringing to life a tribute to Mexico full of colour, movement and personality. With this collection, Jorge Redondo has created a world inspired by his muse, María Félix, where craftsmanship and the richness of the fabrics take centre stage. Velvets, silk chiffon and organza, sequins, feathers, crystal tulle and pleats feature alongside hand-embroidery and, for the first time in the brand’s history, fabrics printed directly onto the yarn.
Mercedes-Benz: 31 editions celebrating Spanish fashion, on a catwalk brimming with innovations
This season marks the automotive brand’s 31st edition, having provided its full support to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid ever since it became the main sponsor and naming partner of the country’s most important fashion show. Over the years, the brand with the star logo has established itself as an undisputed partner in the fashion industry, maintaining its commitment to continue raising the profile of the ‘Made in Spain’ label both at home and abroad, and consolidating it as a leading showcase in the sector.
This partnership continues in an edition that marks a paradigm shift for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid, with the programme taking place for the first time across various iconic venues in the capital. It offers a new way of experiencing fashion that goes beyond the catwalk, transforming Madrid into a stage for creativity, talent and culture, bringing the collections closer to new audiences and fostering closer interactions between designers, the industry, the press and the public.
Source: MERCEDES-BENZ SPAIN Press Office