Miriam Ponsa (Barcelona, Spain)

In an effort to prove that Spanish fashion isn't all about vibrant patterns and bright colors, I did a little research before departing for Barcelona to see if I could find an emerging local designer who's pieces are a bit edgier and different. Flicking through countless runway photos on various Spanish websites, one designer immediately caught my attention: Miriam Ponsa. Her clothes looked like they could have been part of the Comme des Garçons range, yet everything seemed very functional and comfortable. I was even more delighted when I realized she actually had two flagships in the city - a great opportunity to check out her creations in person.

FW09 Runway (images: Miriam Ponsa)

Ponsa, who studied design in Southampton (UK), returned to her hometown of Barcelona after graduation where she turned her great-grandmother's haberdashery factory (which was built in 1820) into a workshop for her own collections. She uses part of the old family mill for traditional weaving and silk threading, and it's this combination of time-honored workmanship paired with modern design that has made her clothing quite popular. When it comes to fabric, Ponsa has added her own touches which includes 'dripping' and 'marbling' latex and plaster on cotton or wool as a dyeing technique to create unique and exclusive prints. These experiments are part of the 'Miriam Ponsa Laboratory' and other upcoming projects will include using worked latex and chalk molds for future designs.

Latex experimentation on fabric (images: Miriam Ponsa)

While some of this might sound bizarre, the FW09 line which was already in-store looked very wearable. Her current range named 'Bruna', after her baby daughter who was born around the same time as the collection, showcases her love of heavy knitted wool, worn denim and garment-dyed double cottons. I didn't spy a lot of color - the majority of the range was kept in subdued greys, blacks, green and brown. Many of the garments were made of different materials - besides the aforementioned latex-fabric combo, there were a few mohair creations blended in with wool and cotton as well as some leather skirts and jackets that are meant to be worn with the knitwear.

I took very few photos of the store itself because there wasn't that much to photograph. The area was relatively small but easy to browse and like most upcoming designers, Ponsa chose a more industrial setting for her creations. I believe the goal was to conceive a space that reflected the old factory ambiance of her workshop. The floors were made of concrete, the walls consisted of exposed brick and the ceilings had wooden beams running across the length of the shop. Clothes hung from bare steel bars and the only furniture that could be found were two aged wooden tables in the center of the store, as well as one antique looking wardrobe towards the back. The changing rooms were quite rustic with their heavy oak doors and the only other props I could find were aged leather suitcases and an old wooden trunk.

I really liked what I saw and unfortunately I can't remember the price tag on these items, but they weren't as astronomical as what your average high-end designer would charge. According to the official website, her collections are also available in other countries including Italy, France and the U.S., but I couldn't get any info on where exactly her items are stocked. Hopefully I'll find more of her pieces in stores worldwide soon, as I'm sure here future collections will be just as cool and interesting. For now, I'll see if I can stock up on some souvenirs...

Address: Carrer de la Princesa, 08003 Barcelona
Opening Hrs: Mon: 15:30-20:30, Tue-Sat: 11:00-20:30
Miriam Ponsa Homepage