#mallorcadesignday takes the leap internationally along with Puerto Portals

Puerto Portals will host next May 24th the new edition of #mallorcadesignday by Prêt-à-Portals. The new edition of this event has been presented this morning, coinciding with the kick-off of the design contest, by means of a press conference that has counted with the attendance of Raquel Arañón, CEO of Mallorca Design Day; Corinna Graf, CEO of Puerto Portals; Ela Fidalgo, fashion designer; and María Abando, President of the Graduate Design School of the Balearic Islands.

“This edition will turn the event into an international must date, broadening the attendance to new emergent talents from all 5 continents, from New York to Tokyo, not forgetting Latin America”, explained Raquel Arañón, director of the event, who also highlighted the importance of creating in Majorca an event of these dimensions and scope, out of the summer season, “trying to promote de-seasonalisation”.

To achieve this, it will take place in a deluxe setting: Puerto Portals, one of the most emblematic sceneries of the island and a high-quality event organization landmark.

Puerto Portals’ CEO, Corinna Graf, has supported the importance of fashion as one of the areas with the highest potential for Majorca, especially in the marina: “Puerto Portals wants to make a commitment with the fashion industry retrieving the brand Prêt-à-Portals, with it we add more actions to the event, like the fashion show of an enshrined designer”.

Furthermore, she wanted to highlight the relevance of the New Talent contest as the starting point of the event: “We are very pleased, it will be a lovely event, but more importantly, we trust that it might be an opportunity for all those local, national or international designers who struggle every day to make their way in the fashion industry”.

María Abando, President of the Graduate Design School of the Balearic Islands has spoken out in the same manner, she wanted to stress the need of ensuring visibility and coverage to these kinds of initiatives created in Majorca: “The market needs support, to take action, increased help media and promotional wise, and this event, Mallorca Design Day, of national and international nature is a great opportunity to advertise our designers”.

Committed to talent, but also to society, Abando has celebrated that once again in this edition, an award will be given to a collection for curvy women, pointing out the ongoing need of equality regarding size in the fashion area: “The visibility of the curvy fashion by means of a national unique award is of vital importance to us”.

The press conference’s special guest, fashion designer Ela Fidalgo, has contributed with her perspective from the other side, the one of those who design and wish to take a part in the fashion industry from places other than Madrid and Barcelona.

From her own experience she has encouraged new designers to participate in the contest that opens today: “These events are an experience, what you gain is not only being able to present your collection, also the contacts and the networking you make, plus the development that these fashion contests offer”.

The event’s keys in detail

The contest is targeted to all those people who (regardless of their age) are studying Fashion Design o who have completed these studies. Meaning, new fashion designers linked to the world of design and/or tailoring who don’t have a commercial brand consolidated and/or recognized.

These new artists may opt to the fixed prizes for each of the five categories of the contest presented today. We are referring to a Balearic category, an International one, a National category and a Curvy one. To this list we should add the new award to the Best Street Style Photography.

>> Award for Best Balearic Collection

>> Award for Best National Collection

>> Award for Best International Collection

>> Award for Best Curvy Collection

>> Award for Best Street Style Photography

Besides from receiving the prizes in cash, the winners of each category will have the opportunity to show their creations on May 24th at Puerto Portals.

On this wonderful Mediterranean spot of Majorca’s west coast, we will be able to enjoy a full day devoted to fashion and design in all its aspects. The event will include a fashion show with the proposals of the three international and national winners, where the jury will pronounce live the verdict on the Balearic designers’ proposals.

The name of the regional winner will crown a day full of round tables, shootings, workshops, etc.