In Seville's Old City, Luis Fernandez's workshop buzzes with excitement as customers try on flamenco dresses, vibrant with ruffles and polka dots. Springtime heralds the peak of flamenco fashion in Andalusia, coinciding with week-long ferias filled with dance, music, and revelry, AFP reports.
Virginia Cuaresma, amidst a flurry of fittings, tries on various dresses—traditional midnight blue, aquamarine with embroidered shawl, and a modern red ensemble. Fernandez, the designer, describes the chaos of final fittings before clients parade their gowns at the prestigious feria.
The classic flamenco dress, over a century old, features a fitted bodice, ruffled skirt, and matching sleeves, complemented by accessories like fringed shawls and floral hair adornments. Fernandez believes the dress enhances a woman's beauty, accentuating her curves and silhouette.
For Cuaresma, dressing for the feria is a tribute to Andalusian traditions and a connection to her grandmother, who sewed flamenco dresses. Fernandez, a native of Seville, shares a similar passion for the fair, leading him to specialize in flamenco dresses since 2012.
He sees the flamenco dress as a unique regional costume that evolves with fashion, incorporating new trends while retaining its cultural significance. Originating from working-class attire, it gained popularity among the wealthy during Seville's fairs, blending influences from aristocratic styles and gypsy attire.
The dress became synonymous with Spanish identity, particularly during the Franco era when it was promoted as a tourist attraction. In recent years, it has inspired renowned designers like Christian Dior, who showcased a collection in Seville's iconic Plaza de Espana.
Fernandez notes the professionalization of the sector, with designers integrating global trends into flamenco fashion. While dresses from ateliers like Fernandez's can range from hundreds to over a thousand euros, there are more affordable options available, reflecting fashion's accessibility in modern times. /BGNES