Eleven local Basque fashion brands have been selected to participate in the eighth edition of the ‘Dressing the stars at the Zinemaldia’ project. Actors and actresses join those presenting and directing the galas at the San Sebastian Festival’s 72nd edition in wearing fashion ‘Made in the Basque Country’ for their public appearances.  

For this 72nd edition of the San Sebastian Festival, 29 brands signed up for the first stage of the project. However, following the submission of their proposals in the months of July and August, and their subsequent analysis by the official Zinemaldia stylists, eleven candidates have finally been selected: Amaia Albes, Inés de la Rosa, Inge Zubeldia, Joyería González Larrauri, Joyería Munoa, Isabel Zapardiez, Kevin Blandin, Loreak Mendian, Noventa Grados, Sastrería Aldabaldetreku and SKFK.

The latest edition of ‘Dressing the stars at the Zinemaldia 2024’ was presented today at a press conference in the San Sebastian City Hall, attended by José Luis Rebordinos, the Festival Director; the Youth Director at Gipuzkoa Provincial Council, Isaac Palencia; and the Councillor for Economy and Local Employment with the San Sebastian City Council, Ane Oyarbide. Accompanying them were the pre-selected creative directors.

Addressing those present, Oyarbide said that, with this project, “fashion carrying the San Sebastian label will once again play the lead part both on the red carpet of the Zinemaldia and at its galas. The work of our local designers always rolls out a display of the best fashion, craftsmanship and knowhow. And yet another year, it will shine as never before thanks to artists and famous names from the seventh art”.

Oyarbide also added that, while participation in this project was initially limited to Basque designers, firms with their physical establishment in the city have gradually joined the initiative over the years, thereby highlighting its versatility and growth while bringing local shops to the attention of professionals attending the Festival. “Fashion from San Sebastian is a national reference, and an example. This is a sector encompassing many small businesses in the city who make up a fundamental part of our local economy”.

Taking the floor, Palencia emphasized “the importance of fashion for our territory, which has become a national reference and which, thanks to initiatives such as this, is clearly in excellent health”. He also stressed that “this project is strategic, given that it supports local fashion brands by recognising their creativity and the high standard of their work, turning this into an opportunity to make these brands known outside our territory. Thanks to initiatives such as these, Gipuzkoa positions itself as the capital of Basque fashion”, he said.

For his part, José Luis Rebordinos, the Director of Zinemaldia, noted that “the Festival is proud to contribute to the Basque business fabric, in this case the fashion sector, and to serve as an international showcase for its creators”.

Figures from the seventh art

Numerous actors, actresses, directors and producers have shown off Basque fashion in previous editions, particularly including Anne Igartiburu, Asier Etxeandia, Loreto Mauleón, Gorka Otxoa, Itziar Ituño, Jon Plazaola, Bárbara Goenaga, Aitziber Garmendia, Cayetana Guillén Cuervo and Úrsula Corberó.

The project is now at the stage of making the final decisions on the styles to be revealed from Friday 20th at the opening and closing galas, the Donostia Award presentation ceremonies and the Basque Cinema Gala. Brands such as SKFK, Isabel Zapardiez, Joyería González Larrauri and Sastrería Aldabaldetreku have already been confirmed to dress some of those making gala and red carpet appearances.