Style hits the streets as Albir hosts spectacular fashion show

The Mediterranean became a living backdrop for a spectacular fusion of fashion, art and cinema as the Paseo de las Estrellas in l’Albir was transformed into an open-air catwalk.

The ‘Sorolla, Mar y Luz’ fashion show brought the work of celebrated Valencian painter Joaquín Sorolla to life through clothing, craftsmanship and visual art, with the sea providing a fitting setting for a collection inspired by his fascination with Mediterranean light and landscapes.

A catwalk inspired by Sorolla

The event, organised by the Festival de Cine de l’Alfàs and supported by Fundació Caixaltea, showcased designs by Valencian fashion designer Alba García.

García’s collection was originally created in 2023 to mark the centenary of Sorolla’s death and features 23 designs inspired by different periods and themes in the artist’s work. Rather than simply reproducing his paintings, the collection translates elements of his artistic style into the shape, movement and construction of the garments.

Some pieces use layered pleats and ruffles to suggest the movement of waves, while another takes inspiration from the palm groves of Elche, incorporating esparto and straw into its structure.

The result was a series of garments designed to look like moving paintings as they travelled along the waterfront catwalk.

Fashion with a sustainable message

Sustainability was also central to the project.

The garments were created using recycled fabrics, including donated linen and cotton materials, while many of the designs were hand-painted. The sustainable approach continued into the accessories, with traditional Valencian espadrilles and headpieces incorporating materials such as cotton, esparto and straw.

Students from the Cànem School of Fashion and the School of Artisans in Valencia contributed to the project, alongside artists Toni López, Roxana Martí, Daniel González, Alberto Ruslan and Nieves Puente.

Their involvement added another layer to a show designed to bring together established creatives and emerging talent.

Why l’Albir was the perfect setting

The choice of venue was particularly significant.

Sorolla’s paintings are famous for their treatment of light, colour and Mediterranean life, making the seafront setting at l’Albir a natural extension of the collection.

The approximately 50-metre catwalk was positioned beside the sea, allowing the landscape itself to become part of the performance rather than simply a backdrop.

The event also formed part of l’Alfàs del Pi’s cultural programme and coincided with the first anniversary of the renovated Paseo de las Estrellas.

From cinema to the catwalk

The unusual event also represents an expansion of the Festival de Cine de l’Alfàs beyond traditional film programming.

The fashion show was originally scheduled for July during the festival but was moved to September to avoid competing with the FIFA World Cup. Organisers wanted the new initiative to receive the attention they believed it deserved.

By bringing together fashion, painting, sustainability, craftsmanship and cinema, ‘Sorolla, Mar y Luz’ offered a distinctly Mediterranean cultural spectacle, transforming one of l’Albir’s best-known seafront locations into a celebration of Valencian creativity.