ICEX and FICE present ‘BALENCIAGA | Shoes from Spain Tribute’, a Spanish footwear tribute to the master of haute couture

‘BALENCIAGA | Shoes from Spain Tribute’, which will take place from February 21 to March 2, 2024 at the historic Palazzo Morando in Milan, is the first monographic exhibition dedicated to Balenciaga in Italy. Strategically coinciding with Milan Fashion Week and the MICAM fair, the event aims to position Spanish footwear as a benchmark in design, craftsmanship and innovation.

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The exhibition brings together 25 original pieces by Cristóbal Balenciaga from Spanish museums and private collections, along with 25 contemporary designs by Spanish footwear brands that reinterpret the designer’s creations. The original models, which range from the 1930s to the 1960s, stand out for their iconic and timeless character, especially in the cocktail and evening lines, known as “fantasy”. Participating brands, including names such as Pikolinos, Pedro García, Mascaró, Hispanitas and Pretty Ballerinas, have designed shoes inspired by these pieces, creating the perfect complement to each Balenciaga dress.

The footwear on display reflects the artisanal excellence of Spain, highlighting traditional techniques such as the embroidery of Ángeles Espinar and Jesús Rosado, the handmade flowers by Mariana Barturen and the metalwork of sculptor Teresa de la Pisa. These collaborations reinforce the connection between tradition and modernity, pillars of the Spanish shoe industry.

During the official presentation in Madrid, the president of FICE, Rosana Perán Bazán, underlined the importance of this initiative to showcase the talent and innovation of Spanish footwear in the global market. Of the 120 proposals that were submitted to the competition, only 25 will be the final ones to be part of the show. “We work every day so that our companies can develop their full potential, also at the international level,” he said. For her part, the CEO of ICEX, Elisa Carbonell, highlighted how this project reinforces the institution’s commitment to the internationalization of the sector. In addition to the exhibition, ICEX promotes initiatives such as participation in international trade fairs, agreements with e-commerce platforms and export training programs.

The relevance of Cristóbal Balenciaga, considered the master of masters in haute couture, is still relevant. Proof of this is the recent official portrait of Queen Letizia, where she wears a cape designed by Balenciaga in 1962, which will also be part of the exhibition in Milan, which has been designated as an exhibition of cultural interest by the Comune di Milano and is part of the official calendar of the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, consolidating its prestige in the field of international fashion.

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