Fashion & Culture: Barcelona
Boasting luxury brands such as Loewe, Delpozo, and Bimba y Lola—in addition to fast fashion giants Zara and Pull&Bear—Spain’s fashion industry is a powerhouse on the world fashion scene. In this seminar, explore Spanish fashion’s historical roots, and the social and cultural factors that helped it take shape. Examine fashion’s role in constructing Spanish identity as you visit key sites in and around Barcelona to learn about the growth of the textile industry and the city’s role in fast fashion. Discuss how trends are born and how, through media and association, they propagate differently in cultures around the world. Then, draw inspiration from Barcelona’s energy to create your own clothing design concepts. Readings and discussions about current issues—such as sustainability or representations of gender—complement visits to design studios and fashion events. For a final project, produce and present your own design portfolios, research a subject of your choice, or co-curate a group fashion show.