The first edition of MBFWMadrid Business Talks concluded as an established strategic forum for Spanish fashion
It consisted of four days of reflection with 11 presentations and over 45 experts, marking a new milestone in the 40th anniversary of this fashion event with the aim of creating a strong community that promotes knowledge exchange within the fashion industry. Creativity, sustainability, internationalisation, digitalisation, and emerging talent were the main themes of the debates supported by Mastercard as a strategic partner.
The 40th anniversary of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid made history, not only for this significant milestone but also for launching a major platform for debate within the fashion industry: the Business Talks.
Over four days, Cibelespacio hosted this forum for thought and conversation, bringing together designers, entrepreneurs, journalists, institutions, technology experts, and new talent, with the support of Mastercard as a strategic partner and with a programme curated by Charo Izquierdo.
At the first edition, Business Talks featured eleven round table discussions and over 45 keynote speakers to address major themes that define the industry today: creativity, sustainability, artisanry, business and internationalisation, digitalisation of the shopping experience, and the future of emerging talent. All with the aim of strengthening the industry by creating a community that promotes knowledge exchange and collaboration among professionals in the fashion world.
Creativity and culture as drivers of identity
The opening day highlighted the importance of creativity as a lever for brand building and cultural influence. Renowned voices such as Palomo, Marta Rota (Tot-Hom), and Rafael Castañer participated in discussions on how to narrate an identity through design, while journalists Ana Núñez Milara and Ana García Siñeriz reflected on the cultural power of the media and the need for a credible and bold omnichannel narrative.
Simultaneously, advances in fintech applied to fashion took centre stage at a Mastercard-sponsored event, featuring specialists like Susana Rubio and Ana Díaz Sacristán. They addressed the digital payments revolution, e-commerce security, and the imminent arrival of the digital garment passport.
Sustainability and artisanry: values deeply rooted in Spanish fashion
The second day was dedicated to rethinking the relationship between artisanry and luxury, and to show how sustainability has become a strategic necessity. Paul Oteyza; María Alfonso of Paris64; and Carmen de Terán of Mulberry championed excellence and timelessness as a key to redefining contemporary luxury. Meanwhile, Javier Goyeneche, founder of Ecoalf; Juan Ramón Meléndez of Re-viste; and designer Raquel Buj highlighted the urgency of innovating from the outset by integrating circularity throughout the entire value chain. Additionally, discussions also focused on the fashion business, featuring Arancha Priede, General Director of IFEMA MADRID; Alfredo Carrión; Coro Saldaña, an expert in fashion, retail, and luxury; and Ignacio Sierra.
The day concluded with a revealing conversation with designer Sybilla, the National Fashion Design Award winner, who highlighted the value of creative collaborations and shared her vision of the future: "the great path of fashion today is through alliances."
Business, internationalisation, and digitalisation
The third day shifted focus to business growth and international projection. The panel “Hispano-America–Madrid: a necessary bridge”, moderated by Valentina Suárez-Zuloaga, leaders such as Daniela Goicoechea, Sara Galindo, Ana Antic, and Natalia Bayona from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) emphasised the importance of building solid, respectful bridges that honour the cultural identity of each market.
The debate on how to scale a brand without losing its essence brought together Borja Vázquez, founder of Scalpers; Virginia Pozo, from Coosy; Carmen Torres of ModaEspaña; and Marcos Pizarro, ASECOM-FEDECOM, moderated by Asier Labarga, director of MBFWMadrid. They all agreed that the future of fashion requires transparency, technological innovation, and a strategy for sustainable growth.
In the afternoon, the focus was on e-commerce, digitalisation, and the consumer experience, with a panel led by Mastercard featuring Susana Campuzano, Silvia Leal, Ignacio Suárez-Zuloaga, Martina Otero from Glovo Fashion, and Iván Rodríguez from Modelia. Omnichannel retail, Artificial Intelligence, and quick commerce emerged as the main drivers of change in fashion consumption.
The future is young: emerging talent
On Sunday, the Business Talks bid farewell with the energy of generational change. Moderated by Ana García Siñeriz, designers Ernesto Naranjo, Álvaro Calafat, and Andrew Pocrid engaged in an intense discussion about what it means to be a creator today. They highlighted the challenges of building a brand from scratch, analysing the lack of structural support for emerging talent, and emphasising the importance of being heard in a sector that is constantly evolving.
A strategic space for Spanish fashion
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid, organised by IFEMA MADRID with the support of Madrid City Council, takes another step in its consolidation as a major showcase for Spanish fashion and, at the same time, as a platform for knowledge and strategic thinking. With this first edition of the Business Talks, it establishes itself as an essential forum for reflection and exchange, where creativity, business, technology, and sustainability converge.