The Spanish Renaissance.
Growing up in Córdoba, Alejandro Palomo, founder of Palomo Spain, has swiftly risen to become one of the most influential designers of his generation. If you’ve heard the buzz around his recent, one-of-a-kind show “All of Heaven’s Parties” in New York, you’re not alone. But for Palomo, this is only the beginning. Rooted in his Spanish heritage, each collection is infused with a unique sensuality and bold craftsmanship that defies simple description. His work has garnered top accolades, from Vogue Spain’s “Who’s on Next” to GQ’s Men of the Year Awards, solidifying his place in fashion’s upper echelon.
Since his debut in 2016, Palomo’s career has skyrocketed, marked by acclaimed brand collaborations, notable television appearances, and a relentless drive that continues to redefine fashion’s boundaries. In an exclusive interview with PAUSE, Alejandro Palomo opens up about the philosophy that fuels Palomo Spain and his ambitions for the future of fashion, sharing rare insight into the mind behind one of the industry’s brightest talents.
PHOTO CREDIT: Alejandro Palomo, founder and creator of Palomo Spain.
Hello Alejandro, first of all, congratulations again on your recent New York collection. How does it feel to have your work showcase on a larger scale? Something as big as NYFW.
Hello, thank you so much. We are really happy after the last show. I have been fortunate to be able to participate in New York Fashion Week almost since the beginning of my career, and I definitely feel that it is the place where I enjoy myself the most and where I have seen a community passionate about the brand grow. Being able to continue presenting our collections here is a real privilege, and I hope that we continue to return and live up to a fashion week as important as New York.
PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy of Palomo Spain
You’ve worked with MÓ Eyewear, Zalando, and Bimba y Lola, presented your collection in New York, and then returned to Europe. How do you handle such a fast-paced lifestyle and is there anything you do in order to preserve your energy and wellbeing?
We have no choice but to adapt to this lifestyle; being inactive would be far more frustrating. Having a steady flow of work and future projects reassures me that we’re on the right path and that a promising future awaits us. One thing that has always helped me stay grounded and work calmly is keeping my workshop in my hometown, Posadas.
Do you enjoy constantly being on the move?
For a job like mine, being on the move is essential. Inspiration comes not only from books, movies, or photographs, but especially from meeting people and experiencing each place I visit. These moments are what truly fuel my creativity.
Palomo Spain was founded in 2015, and it’s been almost a decade since you started this dream. Looking back at the journey, what key moments have stuck with you and continued to influence your output?
It’s hard to choose just one moment, but I can say that this journey has been a true gift. Although it has required enormous effort and hasn’t always been easy, I’ve been fortunate to have a talented team beside me and to see our work embraced with such warmth. I’ll always remember our first trip to New York with special fondness, when my friend Pedro, who would later become the PR for Palomo Spain, and I took our first steps there. There are also unforgettable milestones, like my first show in New York at 24, our first appearances on the official Paris calendar, and extraordinary experiences, such as dressing the ballet in New York and Paris or collaborating with artists I’ve long admired, like Beyoncé, Rosalía, and Harry Styles.
PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy of Palomo Spain
For me, when we focus too much on our biggest dreams and the future, we can sometimes miss out or disregard important moments in the present. How do you strike the balance between looking ahead and living in the moment?
To fully enjoy the present, I believe it’s essential to have confidence in the future. While I am someone who lives in the moment, what truly gives me peace of mind is knowing that the work never stops and that there are always projects on the horizon. This outlook allows me to approach each day with calm and appreciate the journey.
Your brand has always honoured Spain, blending traditional craftsmanship with a modern touch. As your brand grows internationally, how do you keep pushing this aspect creatively? Do you ever find it difficult to discover new facets?
My interpretation of Spanish culture, my roots, and the imagery I grew up with has always been an innate part of how I conceive fashion. This doesn’t mean that every collection features ruffles or polka dots, but I think that inspiration often appears through colour or in the unique way people in Spain, especially in the south, approach the art of getting ready. I don’t always look to Spain as my primary source of inspiration, but it’s inevitable that I draw on those elements that are woven into my DNA.
Let’s talk about your latest collection, “All of Heaven’s Parties”. How did you bring the contrast between good and evil to life, particularly in the New York church setting? Was this contradiction intended? How did you anticipate for it to come across to viewers?
Whenever I design a collection, I like to explore contradictions. I believe that the tension between good and evil, right and wrong, beauty and ugliness is something that exists within all of us. This dynamic is what leads us to unexpected conclusions and destinations, even for me. In the audience, some elements may resonate as beautiful due to their aesthetics, while others may provoke discomfort because of their transgressive or novel nature. I view all of these reactions as positive, and I consider them to be the true purpose of my shows.
Cultural references like Nobuyoshi Araki and Helmut Newton were key in this collection. Where did that inspiration come from?
Inspiration comes from observing how other creatives and artists interpret sexuality, fetishism, and hidden pleasures, presenting them in truly beautiful ways.
PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy of Palomo Spain
You’ve been invited by the Federation of Haute Couture and Fashion, won the “Who’s on Next” award from Vogue Spain, gained international recognition, and become the youngest designer to receive the National Fashion Design Award from the Ministry of Culture. Already having those present, is there anything else you’d like to achieve professionally in the future?
There are many goals I still hope to achieve over time; I am someone who is never completely satisfied. A defining moment in my career would be the opportunity to lead a luxury haute couture or ready-to-wear house in Paris or another major fashion capital, creating a lasting legacy through my own vision of fashion.
Within a creative realm, what can we expect from upcoming drops? And how do you wish to continue to navigate staying true to the brand’s DNA?
I believe that we have reached a point where we clearly understand our language and what gives us a unique perspective in the fashion world. Our intention is to persevere and emphasise the authenticity of this message. We plan to continue doing one main show each year whilst also presenting several capsule collections that will launch online.
