Interview with the Director of BBFW, Albasarí Caro
“Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week dresses identities, not stereotypes”
Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week (BBFW), organized by Fira de Barcelona with the support of the Catalan Ministry of Business and Labor, will hold its next edition from 22 to 26 April 2026, reaffirming Barcelona’s role as an international benchmark in bridal, eveningwear and special occasion fashion. In this interview, the director, Albasarí Caro, shares the key insights behind the upcoming edition and the forward-looking vision of an event that champions creative talent and strengthens the connection between design, business and innovation.
BBFW 2026 kicks off under the theme “On the Shoulders of Giants.” What message does this edition aim to convey?
This theme is rooted in gratitude and recognition. BBFW 2026 honors those who laid the foundations of this industry: designers, ateliers, artisans and, above all, the women whose contributions have long been overlooked. We stand on that legacy to continue evolving with awareness, ambition and respect.
This year’s campaign image features two women from different generations and includes a symbolic tribute. What does it represent?
Indeed, the Barcelona chair pays homage to Lilly Reich and to the silent legacy of many female creators throughout the history of design. The campaign image, featuring two women of different generations, celebrates diversity and freedom of expression, reaffirming that BBFW dresses identities, not stereotypes. It echoes the spirit of Vivienne Westwood’s Bridal Night show, which championed inclusion and authenticity as expressions of personal freedom in design.
One of the major new developments is the expansion into eveningwear and red-carpet design. Why take this step now?
Evening, red-carpet, and cocktail fashion have always been part of BBFW’s DNA, but this year we are giving them the visibility they deserve, reflecting the industry’s growing cross-disciplinarity. Bridal fashion naturally dialogues with occasionwear—they share aesthetic codes, artisanal techniques and a creative sensibility. From a strategic standpoint, we are widening the product range and generating new business opportunities for professionals.
Barcelona Bridal Night celebrates its 10th edition. What does it mean to host a designer like Stéphane Rolland?
It is truly a milestone. Stéphane Rolland, one of haute couture’s great masters and an artist in sculpting fabric, makes his debut in Spain by choosing BBFW and the city itself. This reaffirms our commitment to excellence and global positioning. His collaboration with young talents aligns perfectly with our vision: we were inspired by the experience we witnessed in Paris, where he opened one of his shows with student-created pieces. We wanted to give Barcelona students this same opportunity to showcase their creations, so next Bridal Night 24 students from three design schools in the city will open his runway show symbolizing the importance of passing on expertise, fostering generational renewal and nurturing the future of design.
What new elements will BBFW 2026 introduce?
A fully integrated experience with more than 400 brands—80% of them international—40 designers on the runway, a renewed layout connecting the trade show, the catwalks and experiential areas, and dedicated spaces designed to strengthen interaction between brands and strategic buyers. Our purpose is to facilitate high-quality business and project creative talent into key markets around the world.
How does BBFW face the challenge of remaining a global reference in the future?
By listening to the market, anticipating trends and reinforcing strategic alliances. We promote sustainability and internationalization while staying true to our essence: bringing creativity, business and culture together. Our goal is clear: to continue to surprise. We want every edition to be a transformative and inspiring experience. A week that not only showcases collections but builds community, supports talent and reinforces Barcelona’s role as a global capital for bridal and occasion-wear design.
How will sustainability take shape at BBFW 2026?
Sustainability is embedded across everything we do: we work with local suppliers, digitalise processes, reduce waste and collaborate with social initiatives. We also believe in cultural sustainability: preserving craftsmanship, promoting responsible production and supporting emerging designers is just as essential as reducing environmental impact.
What role does Barcelona play in this vision?
Barcelona is inspiration. It is architecture, creative spirit, entrepreneurship and multicultural talent. That is why it is no surprise that Stéphane Rolland, the star of the tenth edition of Bridal Night, chose Hall 8 in Montjuïc as the setting for his show. Built for the 1929 International Exposition, its art-deco style with expressionist influences embodies the dialogue between fashion, architecture and the city—particularly in a year when Barcelona will be World Capital of Architecture. His choice amplifies our mission to showcase to the world the creative energy that defines the Catalan capital.
How would you describe the new generation of designers in the bridal fashion industry?
They are free, curious and bold. They understand the craft and embrace innovation without losing emotion or purpose. In their work, we see sustainability, gender perspective, new body narratives, contemporary craftsmanship and deep authenticity. The BBFW 2026 campaign is designed precisely with this new generation of designers in mind—and also with a new kind of bride who dares to choose from her own authenticity. Real, diverse and unapologetic women who marry when they want, how they want and in a style that represents them. Women who—like the next generation of designers—are not as focused on trying to fit in; they are expressing themselves.
What would you like visitors to take away from BBFW 2026?
Meaningful connections, inspiration and the certainty that Barcelona is where bridal, eveningwear and red-carpet fashion resonate with greater intensity than ever. We want everyone who joins us to feel part of a community that listens, values and understands them. And we want them to see that BBFW is more than a showcase of collections—it is a space where fashion and art coexist as complementary languages in service of identity, inclusion and culture.
About Albasarí Caro
Albasarí Caro holds a degree in Political Science from Florida International University and a Master’s in Journalism and Communication from American University in Washington, D.C. Her international career has taken her to Cologne, Miami, Beijing and New York before settling in Spain. With extensive experience in the fashion industry, she has held leadership roles at brands such as Bimba & Lola, Mango, Tendam and Tous. She led Pronovias’ international franchise expansion for a decade. She is currently the Director of Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week, the leading international platform for bridal fashion, from where she drives the industry’s growth, business development and creative talent.
Barcelona, December 2025
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