Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid recognises Hannibal Laguna with the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid Prize to the National Designer, and to Agua by Agua Bendita, with the international award
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid has held a new edition of its Opening Dinner #MBFWMadrid x NARS, presenting awards for creative excellence and recognising designers and platforms that contribute to the growth and international profile of the fashion industry
Among the most prestigious awards presented at this edition, the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid Award for National Designer, supported by Madrid City Council, went to Hannibal Laguna in recognition of a four-decade career defined by his contribution to Spanish fashion. The award was presented by Engracia Hidalgo, Delegate for the Madrid City Council’s Department of Economy, Innovation and Finance. The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid Award for International Designer was presented to the Colombian label Agua by Agua Bendita, represented by co-founders Catalina Álvarez and Mariana Hinestroza, in recognition of its ability to fuse craftsmanship with cultural identity. Oscar Romera, General Coordinator for Economy, Trade and Consumer Affairs at Madrid City Council, presented the award.
The ceremony also included the presentation of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid Best Makeup Vision Award, supported by NARS, which went to Palomo, recognising makeup as an essential creative discipline within fashion. The award was presented by Frans Reina, President of Shiseido Spain.
In addition, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid presented The Fashion Game Changers Award to the Latin American Fashion Awards (LAFA), in recognition of its work promoting, showcasing and internationalising Latin American creative talent. Carmen Busquets and Sara Sozzani Maino handed out the award, which was collected on behalf of LAFA by its founders, Constanza Cavalli Etro, the organisation’s President and Creative Director, and Silvia Argüello, CEO and Co-founder.
This edition’s awards also take on a unique artistic dimension thanks to the work of sculptor David Vaamonde (Nîmes, France, 1976), who created the pieces to be presented to the winners. Made entirely by hand in his Madrid workshop and carved from white Macael marble from Almería, the sculptures evoke essential elements of fashion’s visual language, from the silhouette and movement of fabrics to the forms of the classical body.