Cristina Pedroche’s New Year’s Eve Cape is an Homage to Refugees
Cristina Pedroche, Spain’s New Year’s Eve queen, delivered one of her most anticipated and meaningful looks to date.
Courtesy of Cosmopolitan
The Spanish TV personality and model has been ringing the New Year since 2014 presenting las campanadas in Antena 3 yearly transmission. Every year Pedroche’s daring looks are subject of heavy criticism as she never fails to impress. If you are not familiar with Spanish culture, as Pedroche has become a symbol of it, people wait with anticipation and are on the lookout for clues months in anticipation as to what she will wear.
Another important part of Spanish culture it’s Josie, a Spaniard and referent to his country's fashion. A stylist who made a name for himself dressing various tv personalities including Miss Pedroche’s New Years Eve looks.
Courtesy of Cristina Pedroche
This year she went for sexy-with-a-purpose as she collaborated with ACNUR, an organization that aids refugees. Pedroche walked down Puerta del Sol in what at first glance looked like an inflated sack but was in fact a beige cape designed by Iñigo Garaizabal. A look made from fabric pieces from tents used by refugees form said organization. In what they deemed as an attempt to promote peace and use fashion as a means to spread awareness on the ongoing refugee crisis in Spain.
It is said that the design was made from more than 50 kilos of tent fabric which was cut into three triangles and sewn together to make the sculptural shape, not an easy task which shows the design value behind the activist look.
Courtesy of Cristina Pedroche
The sculptural piece conveys messages and symbols of peace and its design and volume reminded me of Rei Kawakubo body deforming pieces. A masterpiece that unveiled a more Pedroche appropriate design. As she took off the cape she revealed a two piece set by sculptor Jacinto de Manuel.
A surrealist and figurative take on showcasing peace through fashion. Pedroche wore a literal peace dove on her chest leaving her torso completely exposed with her lower body wrapped in silk tulle. Her hands and arms were painted white as a representation of the rejection to violence and injustice, as the designer explained.
Courtesy of Cristina Pedroche
The look also symbolized a new beginning not only because it was New Years but because Pedroche showed her pregnant belly!
A look that, as expected, received many criticisms, good or bad people, are talking about it and its connection to peace and the refugee crisis so it is a win as spreading awareness is the first step into creating consciousness into what is ignored.