Arturo Obregero
After so many month of being stuck in lockdowns and quarantines, people all over the world are starting to feel the need to just cut loose, have fun and be glamorous.
And that is exactly the the feeling one gets from Arturo Obregero’s SS22 collection, which is aptly entitled Euphoria. Obregero’s love for haute couture and craftsmanship, together with a touch of the Motown glamour of the 70’s, works to transport the wearer seamlessly from day to night, or from office to soirée.
The dramatic Ross sequined gown - Arturo Obregero.
I met Arturo a couple of years ago in 2019 at his first show for SS20. I was impressed by the theatrical backdrops, the strong aesthetic of the looks that was both tailored but simultaneously rebellious; constrained yet fluid at the same time. It really spoke to me.
Then along came COVID. A ghastly situation for a new label just starting out on the fashion scene. Luckily, Obregero is determined. He was also included in the prestigious Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM) calendar, which was a spectacular recompense. Despite being a genderless label, he shows his collections at the Paris Fashion Week Men shows.
the Don Juan 100% virgin wool three-piece pinstripe suit.
When it comes to sustainability, Obregero utilises deadstock from leading design houses like Givenchy. And although he lives and works from his 7sqm Paris space in Montreuil, his love for his village, Tapia de Casariego in Asturias, is evident. For example, he incorporates inspiration from his home into the Pedrero sleeveless top, which is made with sea glass collected on the beach by village children. Pure MAGIC!
“I used to collect sea glass when I was younger,” says Obregero. “I asked the children of my hometown to collect and send them to me so I could turn them into showpieces. I find it rather poetic that the pollution we create, by throwing glass bottles into the ocean, is returned to us as the most beautiful gems.”
the Pedrero sleeveless top are made with sea glass
Obregero’s collections aren’t huge, but they make so much sense. He often features favourites from previous collections, giving them a new twist. Such as the signature garments from the Palmira permanent collection, namely the Pedro shirt and Gades trousers, but this time drenched in sequins. And of course, there is no way I can ever erase the dramatic Ross sequined gown from my mind, which is actually an updated and upgraded version of the Carmen dress from ACADEMIA. The purple hue is a clin d’oeil to a dress from one of the designer’s favourite Pina Bausch performances. It was inspired by Russian-born French artist Romain de Tirtoff, otherwise known as Erté, the father of the Art Deco movement. What better for an emerging designer than to keep it beautifully simple with designs that people love and which were created with a clin d’oeil to the moment.
