The Top Spanish Womenswear Fashion Brands You Should Know About

Variously referred to as the “little” or “older” sister of high-street staple Zara, Uterqüe is one of the least-known members of Spanish fashion conglomerate Inditex (which also owns Zara). In recent years, the brand’s womenswear has become hugely popular amongst fashion aficionados the world over thanks to it’s online presence: fans love the cool, modern lines of its garments, its quirky shoes and jewellery and the fact that its still something of an “underdog” label.

For luxury accessories and posh dresses, LOEWE takes some beating. Founded in the Spanish capital in 1846 by leather craftsmen, it took its present-day name thirty years later when a German designer named Enrique Loewe Flossenberg joined the enterprise. Leather goods, especially handbags, remain its speciality: indeed, the Flamenco and Amazona bags are arguably LOEWE‘s most famous products. A favourite with female members of the Spanish royal family, it now also does clothing for smart occasions and accessories.

Founded by Ana and Paloma, two Madrid-born designers who met in Paris, Sunad (a reversal of the Spanish word for sand dunes) offers a small yet exquisite collection of shirt and shirt-dresses. Their flowing lines and loose cuts evoke “the free spirit of the wind in the desert”, as the duo say on their sleek website. The garments feature striped or floral designs and are made in Spain from Spanish materials, in line with the founders’ aim to “sustain Spain’s history and tradition in textiles”.

Delpozo was launched by Spanish fashion icon Jesús del Pozo back in 1974; but after the maestro passed away in 2011, former architect Josep Font took over as Creative Director and has since revitalized the luxury brand. Its womenswear, says the website, is “traditional and modern, organic and architectural, sumptuous and pure”. Delpozo‘s bold, colourful dresses are a favourite of Melania Trump, who wore one on a visit to Poland with her controversial husband last summer.

Shoe legend Monolo Blahnik needs no introduction: his stylish footwear has enjoyed international fame and adulation for decades, with stars such as Beyoncé and Madonna amongst his many devotees. Blahnik, who still creates every shoe that bears his name, learnt his craft whilst working as a set designer in Paris in the 1960s. He’s guided by the principle that “shoes help transform a woman” and is known for bringing the high heel back into vogue.

Formenturaguamarina‘s speciality is super-cool women’s holiday wear, from espadrilles to beach bags, kaftans to swimsuits. It is the creation of Formentera-born Dolores Luque, who started a blog of the same name in 2008, which subsequently expanded to include an online fashion outlet. The label’s look is fresh, summery and original, with holiday garments and footwear designed so that they can be worn back at home, too. Mid-range prices make the website a great place to browse before jetting off to lie on a beach somewhere.