Catalan designers lead opening at Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week

Catalan brands Immaclé, Mariano Moreno, and Andrea Lalanza set the tones for the opening of Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week on Wednesday, April 22. Organisers position the 2026 edition for what they hope will be another record year.

Event director Albasarí Caro described matching last year's 23,500 attendees as a strong outcome in what she called an "unstable" international environment. The growth in attendance is tempered by fewer registered buyers from Asia and Australia due to recent flight disruptions.

Still, Caro pointed to North America as a stabilizing force in the bridal market. Even with tariff-related pressures, she said demand from the regions remains "very strong" and continues to drive important international purchasing activity.

This year's edition highlights both the scale and global reach of Barcelona's bridal industry. 

According to organizers, Catalonia accounts for more than one-third of Spain's wedding dress exports, reinforcing its position as a European design hub.

The runway shows opened at the Montjuïc venue operated by Fira de Barcelona, featuring 34 designers from 12 countries, with 60% of participants coming from abroad. 

More than 1,000 looks are being presented, including collections from Catalan and Spanish names such as Yolancris and Isabel Sanchís, alongside international houses like Peter Langner and Demetrios.

The commercial trade show will open later in the week and run through Sunday, bringing together 420 brands from 37 countries, 87% of them international.

Among the Catalan designers on the runway, Imma Rodríguez of Immaclé emphasized the importance of local representation in a highly globalized industry. Designing from Canet de Mar in the Maresme region, she noted that while Catalan designers are a minority on the global stage, their presence is increasingly visible. 

With more than 30 years in the bridal industry, Rodríguez continues to sell internationally, and downplayed concerns over U.S. tariffs affecting sales. 

"When a bride finds the dress she loves, tariffs are rarely what matters most," she said.

Programming continues on Thursday with Asian designers from Vietnam, Japon, China, and Malaysia, followed by US brands taking stage on Friday.