Opening the door of Verónica Gutgar’s haute couture studio in central Alicante immediately feels like diving into the smell of incense and amber, and this perfume so particular of raw fabric, not transformed yet, safely stored.
Walking along a white corridor, you pass by four old sewing machines covered with white lacquer, placed on shelves on the wall.
By making progress into the main room of the Haute Couture designer’s studio, you witness a world full of details and particularities that reflect the spirit of her brand.
Large and luminous, the room offers a stark contrast to the intimate corridor. At the other end, two sliding doors almost always open lead to a balcony full of plants, and as background noise, cars passing in the gran Avenida a few floors below, just a few minutes away from the port.
Wherever you look, you spot bits of fabric and threads pinned on cork boards, next to sketches of her own designs and measurement sheets.
And then, of course, are the colours. Although you could expect to enter in a world of abundant patterns and contrasting shades, in reality, fabrics are arranged by colour and neatly organised. The purity inside of the studio, clearly, helps Verónica to see what she is working with. She finds harmony within order.
In the middle of this refined panorama, Verónica is working there everyday, on a large working table custom-made with black iron. Going from one side to the other, she leans over a large sheet of white paper: a handmade pattern designed for a bride’s dress, a maid of honour, or a guest to any special event.
After a few meetings, fittings, and alterations, the lines of her sketches will come to life to become the most important and significant piece for both the bride and Verónica.
On the speaker, Verónica showcases her various tastes and inspirations. Music, such as What Am I To You? (Norah Jones), Beso (Jósean Log), Perfect Day (Lou Reed), or Me Voy (Julieta Venegas) resonate in the calm and intimate atmosphere of the studio. Behind her, a mannequin overlooks Verónica, as if it were looking after what its master was creating, little by little.
Around the central table are desks equipped with machines and ironing boards. A relief painting made with plaster and linen is hanging on the wall, above an 18th century sofa, restored and upholstered with an unusual asymmetrical herringbone wool-and-linen fabric. Everywhere, the raw strength of the materials and colours blend subtly with the delicacy and purity of her creations.
On the left, a large corner of the room is used as a fitting room for the clients. Once again, the designer’s personality comes out frankly, from floor to ceiling. In the shelves, you can find high heels next to all sorts of books stacked together about personal growth, inspiring biographies, and natural remedies. On the other side, you catch sight of the ten original and iconic pieces of her first Haute Couture collection named “Singularidad”, along with four additional pieces designed specifically for fashion shows. A combination of red, white, and raw fabric, silk tulle, muslin, cotton brocade, crystal gemstones, and handmade beading.
It is impossible to ignore the mirror in the centre of the room: an antique wooden door from India, where the designer from Alicante spent a significant part of her life.
“A door that reflects the authenticity of the one who looks at it.”
In this studio, you can easily understand how she wants her clients to fully enjoy the experience, to immerse themselves in a relaxing and soothing universe. The round, custom-made wool rug stands out, caressing the feet of the women trying on their pieces. To the left of the mirror, a beige velvet armchair, more modern, contrasts sublimely with the raw and dark wood. Above it, a silk scarf printed with a handcrafted technique known as Eco Print, or botanical printing, framed in methacrylate, puts the finishing touch to this corner that conveys the pure essence of Verónica. All these pieces clearly convey her idea of an original place, her space, rendered authentic with the combination of handmade and heteroclite pieces.
Finally, her office, where the rest of the magic happens. Separate from the main room, it resembles a cabinet of curiosities. What stands out instantly is her vintage wooden desk contrasting with the natural light coming through the linen curtains, shading a white tone on the walls. Again, books, sewing instruments, and pencils are mixed with rings, stones, and sketches in various folders.
The doorbell rings. Verónica leaves what she was doing to welcome the visitor with open arms. These guests, mainly women, are greeted by Verónica offering a cup of matcha tea or coffee with rice milk. These women come to teach her new handcraft techniques. While they chat, they start sewing, braiding, touching, cutting, sharing.
In her studio, Verónica studies every detail, as if the entire place was an untouched fabric where she arranges pearls, ribbons, and touches of colours, weaving her own vision of beauty into her surroundings with precision.
The layout of her personal objects, the colours she associates, and her unique style, make for a studio thought like a handmade piece carefully elaborated with knowledge, and above all, a lot of Love.
