Designer Interview: Merche Segarra from Jesus Peiro
Last month I was lucky enough to speak to Jesus Peiro’s Creative Director Merche Segarra about her inspirations, the CALA collection for 2020 brides, and the unexpected positives of life in lockdown.
Jess: A silly one to start: Who's your celebrity muse?
Merche: In this case, I’m thinking about an enigmatic, romantic and at the same time funny and happy woman. Natalie Portman could be that person.
Jess: If they were getting married tomorrow, what would you dress them in from your collection?
Merche: In a dress that would make them feel comfortable and in which they could easily recognise themselves.
Jess: What's the inspiration behind your new collection?
Merche: Women are my inspiration. It’s partly the calm and peaceful image of women that French Impressionism captured with its unique optics of light and femininity. It was this sensitive and intelligent design that was the great attraction. In those scenes there was a common denominator, namely, the calla lily, or ‘CALA’ in Spanish. It’s the symbol of elegance, the quintessential bridal flower and a woman’s name too.
Jess: Which of the dresses/outfits do you think captures this the best?
Merche: The 110 dress is without a doubt the showstopper on the runway and of the collection. But I could point out another one, namely model 170. Its appearance, versatility and construction perfectly sum up the concept of the CALA collection.
Jess: Do you have any weird little quirks or rituals when you're in design mode?
Merche: Well, I always start collections in a similar way. For sure I need to fill my head with fashion ideas that surround me until I pick something that allows me to start. And I’ve been designing with the same pencil for 17 years. It’s a Faber-Castell, a precious gift.
Jess: What's been the hardest bit about the lockdown for you?
Merche: Thinking about the people who are sick, the victims, their families and all the people who are alone during these difficult times. All of the healthcare workers. I think that these experiences will be very different and hard for them.
Jess: And what are you secretly enjoying about it?
Merche: Well, I work long hours away from home, so for me to spend time at home with my husband, my children and my precious dog is a luxury I can seldom enjoy. It’s the positive and very unusual part of this lockdown.
Thank you Merche! I hope it won’t be too long before we see each other in beautiful Barcelona!