Suuuuuuuny Spain? Not a chance. It is pissing down with rain in Barcelona and decidedly grey in Madrid but I'm happy as larry as I'm here in Spain to experience Loewe in its birthplace of Madrid as well to see the opening of its newly renovated store on Paseo de Gracia in Barcelona and the accompanying Galleria Loewe, just down the road. That's a lot to take in from that one sentence and the bombarding onslaught of detailed picture posts are yet to come but for now, I had to pick out this one nugget of beauty for its sheer awe-inspiring prettiness.
At the Loewe Barcelona store opening last night, in addition to marvelling at the wonderfully designed (courtesy of Peter Marino) store on Paseo de Gracia, they had set up a demonstration of a traditional skilled embroiderer from Andalucia, sewing away at what can only be described as THE mantón de Manila to end all mantónes de Manila.
The mantón de Manila (literally translated, "shawl of Manila') is of course an iconic Spanish symbol, relating to the flamenco traditions of southern Spain and has inspired Loewe's silk scarves for generations. In a strange East-West connection that parallels the growing success of Loewe in Asia right now, the manton actually dates back to the 16th century, where silk scarves embroidered with Taoist symbols were imported from China to Seville via Manila in the Philippines, which was then a Spanish colony. The Chinese shawls were then adapted by Spanish craftsmen, where dragons and lotus flowers became local species of birds and flora such as roses, daisies and irises.
This is a special made to order embroidered piece that will translate to more accessible silk mantón de Manila inspired prints but as an ode to the artistry of embroidery, the shawl really is quite impressive. Four women will take up to three months to complete this stupendous shawl. I know, I know Рyet another stat to clock up the "We value craftsmanship" campaign that high end brands with a veritable heritage and history love to spout out. I'm a sucker for the sentiment though, especially when you see it in action here with needle and thread coming together to make something as special as this shawl. I was mesmerised to the point where I stood there gawping at the woman for about five minutes.
The colours of the floral design are loosely related to the silk prints that Spanish artist Antonio Ballester Moreno has designed for Loewe, that were displayed at an after party event last night. Moreno has reinterpreted the more traditional mantón de Manila designs with a slightly naive and upbeat spin that feels right for Loewe's foray into a "younger" brand image, in lieu of what creative director Stuart Vevers is doing at the house.
Designs by Antonio Ballester Moreno for Loewe that will be launching in May.
The more traditional mantón-inspired designs by Loewe
Still, the lasting impression of the hand-embroidered silk shawl is palpable – and certainly is about as aspirational as it gets in craftsmanship. To own something like this would be the surefire answer to the ubiquitous "What would you save from your closet if your house was on fire?"
I adore the psychedelic bird and flower scarves, would look amazing with a simple white t-shirt and loose jeans. I seem to have a terrible weakness for printed scarves these days.
Elisa Eymery
Wandering Minds
http://ourwanderingminds.com/
OMG!!!!!!!AMAZING
NEW BLOG
http://double-concept.blogspot.it/
So colorful ! I love it ! I’m always passionated by the spanish print and the universe which is so full of red, yellow and orange !
http://www.younglington.wordpress.com
WOW! this is amazing! such a hard detailed work, must take ages. but it looks so good!
xx, Sabinna and David
Broken Cookies
Wawza, it really does make you appreciate the effort involved. Its all so delicate, neat and perfect!
http://www.topmoumoute.tumblr.com
Lovely post. Its nice to know someone with a good eye for fashion comes around these lands!
WELCOME!!! or should I say BIENVENIDA!!!
Hope you enjoy your stay!
xxx
Maia.
Funny how the focus is completely NOT on leathers, which is what they are famous for! This embroidery is extraordinary though, it puts to shame people like me who can barely sew a button back onto a shirt!
I’m saving the lovely leather stuff for later… visiting the Loewe factory tomorrow so watch out for a LEATHURRRRRRR heavy post or two soon!
They are breathtakingly beautiful!!!! You are very lucky!!!!xxx
OMGGGGG my dear…I’m from Barcelona…i have my studio in Consell de Cent street with Passeig de Gracia…near LOEWE….always i look a bus with JApan people buy a lot of things in this Place….Super shops arround this…CARTIER, SANDRO PAris, KIEHL’s, NIKE, etc…
I’m very happy…enjoy.. make more pics…Love the Manton of Manila(the best)
Today you can check my Alexander McQUENN Outfit:
http://laviequo.blogspot.com/2012/03/queue.html
XOXO from Munich
La Vie Quotidienne
http://www.laviequo.com
What an incredible task! one must be passionate, but the result really worth it! Love this embroidered jacket,
Virginie/
http://www.virginiepeny.com
From ANDALUCÍA with LOVE!!! I hope you have enjoyed in Spain but, when are you going to come to annual fashion event SOUTH in Cádiz??? It would be a good chance you to know our warmy land with funny people.
GReat pieces!! love things that are hand made!!
http://thefashionhive.com
From Russia with love. Embroidery is our everything.
Such beautiful, intricate detail! And the fact that it’s done by hand makes it priceless
hudsoneast.blogspot.com
wow, just absolutely beautiful details!
http://style-niche.blogspot.com
After these pictures, I feel I’ve over used the term “breath taking” until now. This litterally took my breath away. Sharp intke as I stare at the colorful meticulous flawless work.
Material Fixations
So beautiful 🙂
XOXO
http://petite-fashionista.blogspot.co.uk/
wow thats amazing, its rare people get to see behind the scenes and physically see how time consuming clothes are to make especially embroidery
http://www.closeteddreamer.com
That is absolutely incredible! I love the colours and intricate patterns – great photos.
amazing post!!! thank you!1
that is some serious craftsmanship. it completely enthralls me when i think about the scale of task behind a garment like that, and the pure dedication and skill it must take. amazing.
january, x
jessicajanuary.com
Oh I really love this post. Fantastic craftwork. I really like this : – )
http://theas-vintage.blogspot.com/
Hi!! Today, I visit your website first time. I hear about Stylebubble from Polish version of Glamour (there were article about you) and I decided check….and I don’t regrets this decision. Your world is most colourful and interesting than my 🙂 and I love it. I going to visit Stylebubble every day.
PS. Sorry for my English language, I can’t speak English very well.
The design is fantastic!
These details are beautiful.
cantaffordchanel.blogspot.com
I am in color heaven with these photos!
nothing short of breathtaking.
agnes
http://iiiinspired.blogspot.com/
I went today. It was amazing! Thought I was in love with LV, not anmore because I need a Loewe. Check out my photos at SarahRoseWasHere.blogspot.com
Loewe is one of my favorite brands ever!! Congrats!!
Greetings from Santiago, Chile.
http://carethewear.wordpress.com
@cristianpavezd on Twitter.
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/uywe6X
SHOES.
If I had to save anything, it would be shoes.
I will happily walk around butt naked if it meant that I got to save my shoes.
love the combination of colors!!! try more and create custom jeans
this is so inspiring, love that pattern, must have a lot of patience to do this 😉
Such a pretty pattern!
So beautiful! Those prints are amazing!
http://www.stills.rs
This really demonstrates such a high level of craftsmanship – from the design to the finished product! Beautiful!
http://girlonbroughtonstreet.blogspot.co.uk/
where can I get one?
Wow there are some wonderfully talented people in this world. I adore the pictures from start to finish. Xoxo
beautiful beautifulness of beautifulity.
http://cottonmixblog.blogspot.com
Very inspiring post, really captures the beauty of the refined fabrics and the magnificient embroidery !
Hi Susie. These are the kinds of prints all our shawlsate made from. Such hard work has gone into it. My mum used to make bed covers before she was married. She didnt ever like school in India but used to live doing interesting patchwork on it. I have started a blog just this week am still working on it to finish the layout. http://www.personalautographs.blogspot.co.uk.
Beautiful. Sentiment and craftsmanship and tradition are rare qualities these days (the Primark era). Have you seen the spiders’ silk Shawl in the V&A? I haven’t but have watched a video about the construction – its incredible. This post reminded me of it. Very beautiful, and pieces with a story are so inspiring.
I love these pieces, very beautiful!