Velásquez Weaves Stories of Resilience into Fashion at 080 Barcelona

In this special RED-EYE coverage of 080 Barcelona Fashion, we bring you exclusive interviews with distinguished designers, while our photographer, Rosario Rex Di Salvo, ventures backstage to capture the essence of models and looks. Additionally, we've employed AI co-creation to produce a series of images that offer an oniric interpretation of the event, creating a unique visual experience. Enjoy!

Welcome to our conversation with Mateo Velásquez, the creative visionary behind the VELÁSQUEZ brand, which we had the privilege to conduct during the 080 Barcelona Fashion event. Born in Colombia and raised between Madrid and London, Mateo has skillfully woven the rich inspiration of his multicultural upbringing and personal experiences into his innovative approach to menswear. His work challenges traditional norms and reflects deeply on social conventions and the construct of masculinity through the lens of current social issues.

Mateo received his master's degree in menswear design from the University of Westminster. Shortly after graduating, he unveiled his first collection during the Autumn-Winter 2021 Madrid Fashion Week, which garnered international acclaim at the prestigious Hyeres Festival of Fashion, an event backed by heavyweights such as LVMH, Chanel, and Chloé.

The latest from VELÁSQUEZ, the AW24 collection titled "BAREQUERO," is an evocative homage to the gold miners of Marmato, a miner town in the northwest of Colombia where Mateo grew up. The collection encapsulates the grueling, often uncelebrated labor of these miners who use traditional tools to unearth gold—a symbol of divinity and superiority—under harsh conditions. Through "BAREQUERO," Mateo explores themes of resilience, neo-colonialism, and the multicultural heritage of his hometown, providing a voice to a community's complex history and its ongoing struggles and triumphs.

In a move toward sustainability and narrative richness in fashion, VELÁSQUEZ is pioneering the integration of digital NFC passports into their garments. This innovative feature aims to preserve the stories woven into each piece, enabling wearers to access detailed information about the garment’s origins, the artisans who crafted it, the materials used, and the narrative it seeks to convey.

In this interview, we delve into Mateo's creative process, his inspirations, and his aspirations for the future of fashion where every garment tells a story, inviting us to rethink our relationship with what we wear and the stories we choose to adorn ourselves with. Join us as we explore how Mateo Velásquez is not only designing clothes but also crafting a bridge between past and future, tradition and innovation, in the ever-evolving world of fashion.

Tell us about yourself and what inspired Mateo Velasquez and how you think it will influence the future of fashion and innovation?

I’m the Creative Director behind VELÁSQUEZ, our brand is a tool of self empowerment that takes inspirations from different sources, varying from diverse cultural heritage and queer culture.

Our exploration of the contemporary wardrobe and the way we challenge societal archetypes follows and leads the upcoming generations, ones that views the world differently, outside of binaristic views of gender and clothing. We believe this influence will shape the future of fashion, and how we approach them through technology and innovation will be the key, digital fashion is still uncertain terrain, but providing the tools of self expression, community and connection in the digital realm will be the building blocks for that future.

Can you explain the innovative idea behind your latest collection and how it combines fashion and technology to set new trends?

The VELÁSQUEZ AW24 collection goes back to Marmato, a small miner town in the Northwest of Colombia where I grew up, a walk through their complex history and their resilience and fight against neo-colonialism; it’s also a celebration of a town of a huge multicultural composition and their people.

The key for this collection and specially for our upcoming show will be to share their story. The fashion industry is moving towards a space where story-led garments are gaining the most value, but often these stories get lost with time. We’re currently working to implement a digital NFC passport in our garments that will allow you to trace the precedents of the garment, where you can find information such as what season is from, who made it, with what materials and the story that the piece is telling.

Where do you find your groundbreaking ideas, and how do they help you mix traditional fashion with futuristic innovation?

I often research through and from my own lived experiences in order to be able to connect with people, to create community and to find ways to share their stories. The operations of fashion design and development are constantly being improved with technology and it is inherently ingrained in the processes (digital pattern making, printing techniques, digital fittings, etc), however, my intention is to be able to use those as an advantage and not as a replacement of traditional techniques. We have to care for the heritage and knowledge of the artisans and creatives that are being replaced by machines, IA and other forms of innovation, by combining tradition with technology without abolishing the craftsmanship and expertise.

Describe your brand in three words that capture its essence.

Disruptive. Non-conforming. Eclectic.

What advice do you have for aspiring fashion designers who want to bring innovation to the industry? How can they blend fashion and technology effectively to create wearable designs for the future?

The youth has all the answers within themselves. They know how to navigate the digital world they were born in. I believe that using that power will be how they can bring their own vision and stories and blend them smoothly with new forms of technology.

I would say defy and change the norms of what has been stablished within the fashion industry, re-structure the system in your own way and do things differently, your own way, integrating the technologies you have in your hands to create new realms.

Mateo Velasquez's work often explores themes of identity and culture. How does Velasquez's Colombian heritage influence his design philosophy and choice of materials?

Showcasing and talking about my heritage is the truest form of myself I can be, giving a platform to unheard stories and following my own moral standards when creating and developing garments allows me to create consciously and responsibly. This is all grounded within the philosophy, methodologies and values of the brand. All to create an unapologetic vision of a brand that resonates with likeminded people, with a body of work that inherently has a deep connection and resonates with its audience thanks to its generational, social, and political nuances.

Photos and AI Artworks by Rosario Rex Di Salvo

Editor in Chief Gloria Maria Cappelletti

Fashion Director Giorgia Imbrenda

Features Editor Eleonora Pirisi

Special Thanks to 080 Barcelona Fashion and MM Studio

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