Albasarí Caro on BBFW 2025: International momentum, fresh brands and strategic growth
Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week, a leading global event for the bridal industry, closed its 2025 edition on a strong note, reaffirming its position as a major player in the sector. Held from April 23 to 27 at Fira de Barcelona, the event featured its traditional trade show, welcoming nearly 450 national and international brands specializing in bridalwear, formalwear, eveningwear and accessories. Albasarí Caro, who has directed the event since 2022, spoke with FashionNetwork.com about this year's highlights, including a major venue reorganization and the historic participation of Vivienne Westwood.
FashionNetwork.com: How would you assess this year's edition?
Albasarí Caro: While we still await the final attendance figures, the overall feedback has been positive. For us, the buyer experience matters most since business remains at the heart of the event. We've received overwhelmingly favorable responses—both in terms of the redesigned venue and the curated brand selection. In fact, many visitors even requested an additional day to explore all the brands, although that's difficult to accommodate given the significant time and financial investment such an extension would require.
FNW: How did the preparation for this edition compare to previous ones?
A.C.: Our ultimate goal is to create a truly experiential moment and make it an unmissable date on the calendar. To achieve that, we must deliver optimal service. We held a four-hour meeting with our entire team—about 500 employees—who were fully committed to the process.
This year, for the first time, we expanded into Pavilion 8 at Fira de Barcelona, which allowed us to redesign Pavilions 1 and 2 and create a more logical, circular layout. We introduced different atmospheres and added a refined touch, aiming for an aspirational and inspirational experience for brands across all price points. To that end, we collaborated with high-end sponsors like Clau& Chloe, the luxury line from Casa Viva. We're very pleased with the new space, which has been well-received. For the runway shows, I was inspired by some of the haute couture and ready-to-wear shows in Paris, where I saw square-shaped catwalks, and I thought we could bring a similar spirit of subtle elegance and 'savoir-faire' to Barcelona.
FNW: What led to the change of venue?
A.C.: It was primarily a matter of space. Previously, we were based around Plaza Univers, with a tent serving as the backstage area for nearly 130 people—including hair, makeup and model teams—which was far from ideal. With the addition of another pavilion, we were able to accommodate the growing exhibition area and provide a much more comfortable environment. Both areas attract the same audience. Even though the pavilions are separated, we turned off the traffic lights so visitors could cross the road freely. And with the Venetian Towers on one side and Montjuïc on the other, it's a truly beautiful setting.
FNW: One of this edition's highlights was Vivienne Westwood's participation in the Barcelona Bridal Night. What was it like working with the brand, and what feedback have you received?
A.C.: It was truly a historic moment for the city, the country and the bridal sector. Having such an iconic and legendary brand as Vivienne Westwood join us was incredibly significant. The collaboration was smooth and full of camaraderie. Their team of around 40 young, vibrant and diverse professionals came to prepare and work in the showroom area. That's always the formula for us: those who walk the runway must also exhibit, because selling is the primary goal. Vivienne Westwood's message of 'I marry who I want, how I want, when I want, and if someone doesn't like it, I really don't care' resonated deeply with the spirit of the city and beyond.
FNW: After featuring major fashion names such as Viktor&Rolf, Elie Saab, Giambattista Valli and now Vivienne Westwood, what lies ahead for Barcelona Bridal Night?
A.C.: Our aim is always to surprise. After Giambattista Valli, known for his classic and elegant cuts, we wanted to shake things up and thought Vivienne Westwood was the perfect choice to deliver a 180-degree shift. Looking ahead, we've already confirmed the designer for 2026, although I can't reveal the name yet, and we're already exploring options for 2027.
FNW: In recent years, major brands such as Pronovias and Rosa Clará have stepped away from the event, while new industry leaders have joined. How do you view this shift, and how do you approach the selection of new brands?
A.C.: As a trade show, we believe brands should participate if it aligns with their strategic objectives. Our doors and hearts remain open for labels like Rosa Clará and Pronovias, even if now is not the right moment for them. In the meantime, we have cultivated a vibrant ecosystem of brands we have supported over the years—brands that now stand firmly on their own and bring buyers a fresh perspective on bridal fashion.
Regarding brand selection, we are fortunate to have a waiting list, giving us a wide array of options. Our goal is always to surprise and curate a diverse, exciting lineup. This year, for example, we welcomed three new Australian brands, along with Wang Feng, a leading label from Shanghai that made its runway debut in Barcelona—an achievement we are extremely proud of. In total, nearly 450 brands exhibited in the sales area this year. We carried out a careful selection process to ensure we offered buyers exactly what they sought. We aim to build lasting connections while continually discovering new talent. We want to avoid repetition; striking a balance between established names and fresh variety is essential.
FNW: Where does the internationalization strategy currently stand?
A.C.: As in previous years, we had strong buyer participation from Italy, the United States and the United Kingdom. In fact, we saw an increase in visitors from the UK, partly because the White Gallery—London's bridal trade fair—was not held this year, and we were able to welcome those buyers. Thanks to one of our collaborators, we've also reestablished ties with the Middle East, a market that had been difficult to reach after the COVID-19 pandemic. Our team has traveled extensively and worked hard to forge new connections, because recruiting buyers is our number-one priority. That said, it's a collective effort—our exhibitors contribute significantly to drawing an international audience.
FNW: How do you view the current state of the global bridal industry, and what position does Barcelona hold within it?
A.C.: The global bridal industry is experiencing significant change and economic uncertainty. However, there will always be a need for a dedicated moment each year for professionals to meet, network and connect. It is not only about buying or attending runway shows—it is about the energy, the human connections and the opportunities that arise from those encounters. Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week has clearly established itself as the unmissable fashion week for the sector, and our goal is to ensure it remains that way.
FNW: What are the main goals for future editions?
A.C.: Our greatest challenge now is to maintain what we have built and consolidate our growth. The market is what it is, and I do not foresee expanding into another pavilion. Instead, we will focus on managing brand rotations and continuing to adapt to market needs. Our aim is sustainable, organic growth—not expansion for expansion's sake. It is a lesson many fashion brands are learning: true success often lies in consolidation, not constant scaling. With this in mind, we will prioritize buyer recruitment and strengthen our strategy. We also plan to further highlight festivewear, as wedding boutiques increasingly rely not only on bridal sales but also on guest attire and accessories, which represent an important share of the business.
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Other design features include a pointed pyramid wave-effect wall covering and marble display tables and pedestals. The store sits in fine company with brands such as Brunello Cucinelli, Valentino, Jimmy Choo, and Tom Ford nearby. 'We wanted to create an ambience that is not a shop, but where we can tell the story of the Santoni lifestyle mood. It doesn't look like a store, but more like a private club or a lifestyle space where you see shoes and other leather goods collections mixed into architectural elements and design,' he continued. Beyond the specific area of Madison Avenue, the country at large is important for Santoni. 'The United States is our biggest export country. We're doing very well even in this tricky market situation where business is quite volatile. Since the beginning of 2025, the company overall has nice 15 percent double digit growth,' Santoni added. 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You can feel the meraviglia," he said. Demonstrated in the book is the family's unique approach to shoemaking in a region that boasts 70 percent of the country's shoe making facilities. 'Le Marche is a place where culturally shoes are created and our company has the sophistication, quality level and hard work that is unique. We are totally different from the others in the way we produce and how we do things,' he noted. While the book may sum up the last 50 years, Santoni is looking to the future. 'We're very proactive and productive. The book and the story are cool, and we are very happy and proud of our 50th anniversary, but this is not an arrival point. This is just the beginning of the next 50. There is a bright future in front of us," concluded Santoni.
