Although I communicate with you in the language of Shakespeare, dear reader, I openly share that I am Spanish. I departed from my homeland long ago, and while I return every year, feelings of homesickness can manifest in subtle ways. One such way is through culture. Living far from my native country makes it challenging to stay informed about contemporary Spanish culture beyond the major headlines. What trends are emerging back home? What cultural themes resonate with my generation or even younger Spaniards? As I already feel like a foreigner in this vast world, I strive to eliminate that uneasy sense of otherness during my visits to my homeland.
This is why I frequently visit 1A Gongti Nanlu, the location of the Cervantes Institute, the leading organization worldwide dedicated to promoting the study and teaching of Spanish language and culture. Its branch in Beijing, as you might guess, is not solely for those wise enough to learn Spanish, which is the second most spoken language in the world, boasting an impressive 560 million native speakers! The Cervantes Institute maintains a robust cultural agenda throughout the year, hosting conferences, talks, screenings, and currently, exhibitions. For example, the Archivo de moda de la juventud sino-española (Sino-Spanish Youth Fashion Archives) is a collaborative project with the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology (BIFT) and the Higher School of Fashion Design of the Polytechnic University of Madrid (CSDMM-UPM), running from April 12 to May 4.
The exhibition is designed by Guillermo García-Badell, the CSDMM-UPM director, who co-curated it with Mercedes Rodríguez (CSDMM-UPM) and Yixing Wang (BIFT, Beijing). The design was aided by Paula Alegría Serrano (CSDMM-UPM) and Yushi Li (BIFT, Beijing), alongside Alberto Gonper, who handled graphic design. The Sino-Spanish Youth Fashion Archives is a concrete outcome of a long-standing collaboration between the two academic institutions. In today's increasingly globalized context, the exhibition represents two converging perspectives on fashion and its associated industry, fostering cultural connections between Spain and China through a collective vision of fashion trends that meld tradition with innovation.
I wanted to share more about this exciting exhibit—did I mention that entry is free?—so I thought I might pose a few questions to Isabel Cervera, the director of the Cervantes Institute. Below are her responses, and be sure to clear some space in your schedule. You might just go for the exhibit and find yourself returning for Spanish lessons!
Welcome, Isabel! It's such a pleasure to have you here. I don’t believe we’ve had a conversation regarding the Cervantes Institute before. Could you share more about this exhibition? What is its background?
Hello, the pleasure is mine! You noted the ongoing collaboration between CSDMM-UPM and BIFT. It's important to highlight that with this exhibition proposal came the chance to initiate a series of design-focused events and activities that we will continue developing later this year. We believe this inaugural exhibition, centered on the education of future designers, serves as an ideal catalyst to later showcase the work of established Spanish professionals in both fashion and graphic design. Over the years, we’ve held numerous joint workshops and academic exchanges, making this exhibition a new chapter in our journey.
The primary objective is visibility—both for the student work from both institutions on an international scale and for the themes of connection and exchange between our two countries, ultimately spanning China and the West. Designers from CSDMM-UPM and BIFT come from diverse cultural backgrounds. However, they share a common language through their area of expertise: fashion. Too often, we frame our interactions with China in terms of finance, politics, and economics. While valid, we felt it was crucial to demonstrate to the public that there are additional points of connection between China and Spain, which are highly promising in ways that might be more relatable than cold data from financial reports.
I have a strong inclination towards the cultural aspects of matters. The inauguration is tomorrow, and I’d love to learn more about how it is organized.
The Sino-Spanish Youth Fashion Archives features several sections that reflect the creative processes behind fashion and the evolution of these students’ academic journeys toward professional design. Their identities and motivations are captured in areas called "Self-Portraits and Questionnaires," and those interested in photography should visit the aptly named "Photographic Archives of Fashion," showcasing impressive works by Spanish-Swiss photographer Erik von Frankenberg.
Can you elaborate on what each of the participating institutions contributed to the exhibition?
BIFT contributed works from nine third-year students specializing in Fashion and Apparel Design. Founded in February 1959 under the motto "Design for the people," BIFT's mission successfully blends Chinese aesthetics with an international design perspective, harmoniously merging tradition and innovation. Consequently, the showcased works encompass women’s and men’s fashion, sportswear, and even theatrical costume design
This Spanish organization adorns its spaces with knowledge about fashion and cultural exchange.
