A few weeks ago, Verónica opened the door of her workshop to Encarni.
Encarni who had been told that, in order to dress for her son’s wedding, she absolutely had to meet Verónica.
Encarni who sat in front of Verónica to unravel her fears and aspirations, just like so many others who pass through the studio.
When golden and ochre leaves were still falling in Alicante, marking the autumn season, Verónica embarked on a journey in search of a new technique that required a deeper connection with nature and its primal colors. Leaving behind this drizzly landscape, she immersed herself in another one—vibrant, warm, and full of colors—none other than Bogor, Indonesia.
Last Saturday, at the Gutgar Experience school, five women took part in a master class led by Conchi Menéndez. In her workshop, the hours passed silently as they immersed themselves in learning this technique, where the combination of natural materials and artisanal work transformed a simple fabric into a textile piece with character.
Today, I observe a gathering taking place in Verónica Gutgar’s workshop. Nine women are reflecting on their perspectives, taking the time to think, speak, and discover their art and path in life.
Verónica Gutgar: designer, pattern-maker, seamstress and lover of her profession. Each piece born in her studio is the result of a meticulous process that rescues and preserves ancestral crafts, giving each design unique value.
The talent and dedication of Verónica Gutgar have once again been recognized in the world of design.
This exclusive program, which brings together the greatest talents in fashion design and pattern-making, provides a unique opportunity to delve into the mastery of haute couture and the legacy of Cristóbal Balenciaga. For Verónica, this course represents not only a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity but also a crucial step in her career. As she herself states:
Cristóbal Balenciaga is the master in whom I see my reflection.
-Verónica Gutgar
Verónica firmly believes that a great couturier must be, as Balenciaga once said, “an architect for shape, a painter for color, a musician for harmony, and a philosopher for proportion.”
Through this program, Verónica will expand her knowledge by working on the skeleton of garments and deepening the secrets of their structure with the precision that characterizes Balenciaga’s work, continuing his legacy of perfection and innovation. The training includes a detailed focus on classic tailoring, with a special emphasis on jacket-making—just as the artist did—under the guidance of Professor Javier Martín Galán. A former apprentice to two of Balenciaga’s direct seamstresses, Martín Galán has been invited multiple times by Verónica Gutgar to teach masterclasses at her fashion and artisan pattern-making school, Gutgar Experience.
Through this learning experience, by following the patterns of the artist’s original pieces, she will not only refine her distinctive technique but also immerse herself further in the tailoring traditions of this historic fashion house—an almost lost art that Verónica is determined to preserve. By safeguarding and adapting the knowledge of one of our greatest masters, the legendary Cristóbal Balenciaga, she brings his legacy into her own creations.
-Written by Belén Giménez Rodríguez
Sewing is not just a technique; it is a philosophy. It is the pleasure of authenticity, the search for what has soul and meaning. In Verónica Gutgar’s workshop, garments are not only created daily, but values are also passed down. Each thread is a link to the past and a promise for the future.
Armed with just a small suitcase and an open heart, Verónica took her first steps toward the city of Chiang Mai, accompanied by the delightful scents of jasmine and sandalwood, mixed with the sweetness of coconut and the spices from street stalls.
Following her journey, we see her venture into one of the most iconic places on the outskirts of the city: the Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden, nestled in the hills of Mae Rim. There, winding paths lead her through greenhouses filled with exotic orchids, ancient ferns, and aromatic gingers, until she reaches the Canopy Walkway—a glass bridge suspended high in the trees that offers breathtaking views of the cloud forest.
For Verónica, the connection between body, mind, and spirit is reflected in the use of healing plants, and in that garden, surrounded by them, she felt the deep respect for an ancient practice that has endured for centuries. Through infusions, ointments, and rituals, the people of Chiang Mai have preserved their holistic healing traditions, where medicinal plants continue to play an essential role.
A few days later, Verónica knew it was time to fulfill the purpose that had brought her there. She had to find the communities that safeguard the origins of her craft.
And so, with a carefully tailored guide, she met Matt, a driver used to following set routes, but who decided to veer off his usual path to accompany her on this special quest. Together, they ventured into Thailand’s most remote corners, traveling lesser-known roads, beyond the familiar, in search of communities that still preserve the ancestral art of weaving and natural dyeing—places where even the locals rarely venture. This was the beginning of Verónica’s true encounter with the essence of her art.
After relentless searching and navigating hidden paths, Verónica finally found Mrs. Zuag, a guardian of textile artistry who shared the intricate technique of Hmong embroidery. This embroidery, originating from one of Chiang Mai’s oldest communities, is distinguished by its geometric motifs, where each shape serves as protection for its wearer and marks them as a being of abundance in this world. Surrounded by organic cottons, woven on ancient looms and crafted by hand, Verónica witnessed the creation of unique pieces of exquisite quality and dedication, passed down through generations.
Similarly, the Karen ethnic group—whom she also had the privilege of meeting—preserves a deep ancestral meaning in their textiles.
Their iconic Karen spine motif runs through their embroidery in repetitive patterns, symbolizing strength and connection to their roots. This design, woven with vibrant threads on hand-spun cotton, not only embellishes the garment but also serves as a protective amulet, just like the intricate Hmong symbols.
Both communities have managed to preserve their textile art as a living language, where each stitch tells a story of resilience, identity, and tradition—one that must be celebrated and upheld.
Following this enriching experience, Verónica embarked on a new stage of her journey, determined to explore the preservation of natural dyes. As she traveled through northern Thailand by road, she encountered the Thai Yuan ethnic group and met Kum Somchai and Kum Porntip, who explained how they extract colors from the mountains, the tropical jungle, and their surroundings. Later, they cultivate their own cotton and process it manually until it becomes a naturally dyed fabric.
-Written by Belén Giménez Rodríguez
