Spanish fashion museums to inspire local shopping
“I have always loved red, for as long as I can remember, but I discovered it and it took hold of me after my first trip to Spain”. these are the words of the famous designer Valentino about the origin of his most iconic colour. You too can find inspiration to give glamour to your shopping in our country by visiting Spanish fashion museums. Garments, fabrics, accessories, craftsmanship, footwear, materials... You will be surprised to see how the style of yesteryear becomes a trend today.
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Costume Museum. CIPE (Madrid)
What makes it specialThe more than 1,000 pieces that make up the permanent exhibition represent only 1 percent of the collections it holds. This unique and incomparably rich collection makes it one of the most important museums of its kind in Europe. In its showcases, which are frequently renewed for conservation reasons, historic garments and fabrics coexist with the most modern and spectacular designs. The highlight is its collection of Spanish haute couture dresses, where all the big names are represented, such as Balenciaga, Pedro Rodríguez, Manuel Pertegaz and Elio Berhanyer, among others. In addition to its extensive collection of works by Mariano Fortuny y Madrazo, the museum also showcases key designers who have renewed Spanish fashion since the late 20th century, as well as a comprehensive selection of international haute couture and prêt-à-porter, featuring all the leading contemporary fashion brands.Want a sneak preview of what you can see? Here is the link to for your virtual tour.How to get thereIt is found in the area of Ciudad Universitaria, Madrid. You can easily get there by public transport, using the metro (lines 3 and 6, stops Moncloa and Ciudad Universitaria) or the bus (lines 46, 82, 83, 132, 133 and G).Bonus: What to do in the areaThe museum has a fabulous garden of more than 25,000 square metres where you can stroll around. Nearby is Templo de Debod, at Parque del Oeste, or you can also enjoy the panoramic views from the viewpoint of Faro de Moncloa.
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Museu del Disseny (Barcelona)
What makes it specialThis famous museum in Barcelona exhibits an outstanding collection of Spanish fashion. Its collection ranges from the 20th century to today, featuring works by contemporary designers. There is no shortage of the great references of the golden age of Spanish haute couture, represented by an extensive collection of dresses by Cristóbal Balenciaga, Pedro Rodríguez, Asunción Bastida, Carmen Mir and Santa Eulalia. It also shows the phenomenon of prêt-à-porter with examples of Paco Rabanne, Manuel Pertegaz, Elio Berhanyer, Margarita Nuez, Antonio Miró and Sybilla, among other renowned creators. Among the accessories, the hat collection by Balenciaga and Pedro Rodríguez and collections by other prestigious Barcelona firms stand out. In addition, the museum goes beyond clothing, as it has an extensive collection of fashion photography that spans from the early 20th century to the present day. How to get thereIt is located in the Disseny Hub Barcelona building, in Plaça de les Glòries. It can be reached by public transport on metro line 1 (Glòries stop), by bus (lines 7, 192, X1, H12, V23, N2, N7), by tram (lines T4, T5 and T6, Glòries stop) and by local train-Rodalies (lines R1, R2, R3, R4, R11 and R12, Arc de Triomf and El Clot-Aragó stops).Bonus: What to do in the areaNearby you can go up to the Torre Glòries viewpoint to get a bird's eye view of Barcelona. You can also visit the Mercat dels Encants (the Fira del Bellcaire): an open-air market that is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, where you can find fashion, home decor, antiques, new products, vintage items and clothing, original items, and gastronomy.
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Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum (Getaria, Gipuzkoa)
What makes it specialIt houses the largest collection of pieces created by Cristóbal Balenciaga, the most important and influential Spanish haute couturier of the 20th century. A genius whose mastery and innovative vision earned him the admiration of his contemporary colleagues (Christian Dior called him “the master of us all”). Balenciaga conceived his garments as works of art; and this is how they are showcased in the museum dedicated to his legacy in the place where he was born, Getaria. You will learn how he reinterpreted the Spanish tradition, his personal and professional career and his relevance in the world of fashion. In addition, the centre has a fashion school aimed at the professional public and organises workshops for adults and families as part of its learning programme.Click on the link Spain through Balenciaga's eyes on our website www.spain.info to find out more about the Spanish designer.How to get thereThe fishing village of Getaria is located 25 kilometres from Donostia-San Sebastián and approximately 80 kilometres from Bilbao. It can be reached by car via the motorway AP-8 and the N-634 road and by bus from Donostia (lines UK09, UK10 and UK11).Bonus: What to do in the areaThe Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum is located in a building annexed to the Aldamar Palace, the summer residence of one of the couturier's first clients, the Marquise Casa-Torres. A short stroll is enough to reach the old quarter and the port, from where the path leads to the emblematic Mount San Antón in Getaria.
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Manuel Piña Museum (Manzanares, Ciudad Real)
What makes it specialThe designer Manuel Piña is one of the key names in Spanish fashion at the end of the 20th century. An icon of the Movida madrileña and promoter of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week), he played a key role in the revitalisation of the sector and the internationalisation of the motto “Made in Spain”. A native of La Mancha, he reaped huge success with his knitwear and spectacular collections, combining tradition and craftsmanship with the most modern and avant-garde designs. In the province of Ciudad Real, we can find a cave-cellar in his native town Manzanares, in one of the town's manor houses, which is home to the museum that preserves his fabulous costumes and pays tribute to his figure as a key designer.How to get thereManzanares is easily accessible by road (motorways A-4 and A-43, roads N-310 and N-430), by bus and by train (connection with Madrid, Barcelona, Andalusia, Extremadura and the Region of Valencia).Bonus: What to do in the areaAs well as enjoying the city's main monuments, fans of cheese should not miss the Manchego Cheese Museum. If you want to find out more about traditional Manchego textile craftwork, come and visit the Lace and Blonda Museum in the beautiful town of Almagro, located some 40 kilometres away.
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Other fashion and clothing museums for inspiration
In Spain there are other spaces whose visit will fill you with ideas and creativity to make the most of your shopping days in our country: - Museo Automovilístico y de la Moda (Málaga): a space where the art of classic vehicles merges with haute couture, thanks to a fashion collection made up of vintage garments by renowned brands and designers. Costumes and models are displayed in two different exhibitions that rotate every six months. - Museo de la Seda (Valencia): For more than three centuries, the silk industry and trade was one of the most important in Valencia. In many of the city's shops and workshops you will see delicate designs and products made from silk or fashion made from hand-painted silk. In this museum you will discover the history of a splendid artisan heritage, which can be admired every year in the typical dresses worn by the women during the Fallas festivities. - Museo del Calzado (Elda, Alicante): boasts the finest shoe collection in the world. The truth is that the footwear industry of Alicante is a benchmark in the sector, enjoying great international prestige. This museum allows visitors to learn about the craftsmanship of shoemakers, the history of footwear and the evolution of its design through all kinds of shoes, with original pieces from the 14th century to the present day.
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