The gala presenters, actors, dancers and directors at San Sebastian Festival’s 68th edition will once again don fashion from Gipuzkoa and the Basque Country in conjunction with the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa’s Departments of the Environment and Culture, thanks to the project ‘Dressing the stars at the Zinemaldia 2020’. An initative representing an opportunity to participate in this project for all of the brands in the territory and in which sustainability will play an important part.

In a year when COVID-19 is complicating the industrial and commercial development of Gipuzkoa’s fashion industry, and where the importance of a local approach has become patently obvious, we must build a new Green Recovery, and to do it, the Film Festival will once again become the best international showcase for our culture and sustainable textile creations.

Following a public call for submissions responded to by 35 companies from Gipuzkoa, Bizkaia and Navarre, and pre-selection of the proposals presented by the Film Festival stylists, 21 companies will participate in the initiative “Dressing the stars at the Zinemaldia 2020” during the nine days of the event: Aldabaldetreku (San Sebastian), Amaia Albes (Arrasate), Ammiu Costura Creativa (San Sebastian), Bámbola (Errenteria), Cosi 2 Atelier, Eli-Two (San Sebastian), Eder Aurre (Portugalete), Fanny Alonso (Andoain), Joyería Munoa (San Sebastian), Lasai Wear (San Sebastian), Laza Clothing (San Sebastian), Leire Santillán (Urretxu), Loreak Mendian (Arrasate), Maialen Campaña (San Sebastian), Manuela va de fiesta (San Sebastian), Matsu Studio (Iruñea), Minimil (San Sebastian), Soia, Sophie et Voilà (Bilbao), Torrubia & Torrubia (San Sebastian), Haizea Arranz  (Urretxu) and Ural.

The Councillor for the Environment, José Ignacio Asensio, stressed that “this is a commitment to promoting sustainable local fashion. This year the presence of the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa acquires even greater relevance given the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected all economic sectors, and very directly the fashion industry”. In addition, the provincial councillor indicated that “We, the institutions, must support all sectors and particularly local fashion, workers and shops; but we must also make the most of this opportunity to build a new normal: the green recovery”.
Harkaitz Millan, Culture Councillor, added “The Film Festival is a cultural icon in Gipuzkoa and the world of fashion and its designers are, in turn, a benchmark of the future. That’s why this project represents a real opportunity to experience a fully-fledged cultural fusion”.  

The director of the Zinemaldia, José Luis Rebordinos, stressed that “One of the Festival’s objectives is to serve Basque industry in general, not only the film industry and, in this case, we are delighted to be able to contribute to the international exposure of Basque fashion”.

After the costume fittings in Madrid and San Sebastian, the company responsible for the stylistic work at the galas is now putting the finishing touches to a selection of garments and accessories “made in the Basque Country”, which already amounts to more than 50 articles and could finally reach around a hundred garments, accessories and pieces of jewellery, a figure far greater than initially anticipated. According to José Juan Rodríguez and Paco Casado, those responsible for the selection, this is due to “the excellent quality, variety of proposals submitted and the enormous readiness to adapt and custom-design shown by the companies”. From Friday September 18, we will be able to see the first creations of the 21 Basque fashion companies as they inundate the opening, Donostia Award and closing galas at the Kursaal; the Perlak and Zinemira Galas at the Victoria Eugenia Theatre; the Red Carpets – with no general public – and the photocalls corresponding to the different screening and presentations.