COVER STORY
Inside BBFW 2025: Albasari Caro on the Future of Bridal Fashion
With
The Bridal Journey
“The 2025 edition is the third BBFW that I am leading. From the very beginning, my goal has been to MAINTAIN the event’s foothold as the global benchmark in bridal and special occasion fashion—not just showcasing trends but defining the future of the industry. I want BBFW to be a space where talent, creativity, and innovation converge to create unique OPPORTUNITIES and CONNECTIONS among designers, buyers, and industry professionals.”
– ALBASARI CARO on her vision as the Director of BARCELONA BRIDAL FASHION WEEK (BBFW)
Words Compiled by The Bridal Journey & Albasari Caro
VIVIENNE WESTWOOD (2)
Image: Fira Barcelona
TBJ: As the new director of BBFW, what is your vision for the event under your leadership?
Albasari Caro: “The 2025 edition is the third BBFW that I am leading. From the very beginning, my goal has been to maintain the event’s foothold as the global benchmark in bridal and special occasion fashion—not just showcasing trends but defining the future of the industry. I want BBFW to be a space where talent, creativity, and innovation converge to create unique opportunities and connections among designers, buyers, and industry professionals.”
TBJ: BBFW is already one of the most influential bridal fashion events worldwide. How do you plan to boost its international expansion?
Albasari Caro: “Internationalization is one of our strategic pillars. We aim to continue expanding the diversity of our offerings with brands from Asia, Australia, and the Middle East, while always maintaining balance with the number and profile of buyers. It would be a mistake to grow the supply without an equivalent demand. The key is to create a global meeting point that brings together the majority of brands, designers, buyers, and other professionals across the entire value chain of this industry, thereby maximizing business, market opportunities, and networking on a global scale.”
ALBASARI CARO (1)
Director of Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week (BBFW)
TBJ: With 82% international exhibitors, how do you balance the exhibition of global brands with supporting local Spanish designers?
Albasari Caro: “It is essential to maintain a balance between the global and the local. That’s why we’ve created exclusive spaces such as “The Edit Barcelona,” where we promote designers and brands with deep roots in Spanish textile craftsmanship. We also ensure their presence on the runways and in strategic activities within the fair, so that they have visibility and growth opportunities. Designers like Andrea Lalanza, with her focus on personalization, and Clay Moss, with his handcrafted ceramic jewelry, will be among this creative enclave.”
“Barcelona will play a prominent role on the runway, with shows by Marta Martí (who will open BBFW this year as she celebrates her tenth anniversary), Mariano Moreno, Andrea Lalanza, Lorea Panea, and Immacle. Moreover, I believe that design is art, and art knows no borders. Every buyer knows what they are looking for, and at BBFW they not only find what they are looking for but also have the chance to discover new brands and products, both Spanish and international, to expand their range of offerings.”
VIVIENNE WESTWOOD (2)
Images: Fira Barcelona
TBJ: How has the role of bridal retailers evolved and what challenges do they face today?
Albasari Caro: “Retailers have evolved from being mere points of sale to becoming experienced advisors. Today’s brides seek personalisation, guidance, and exclusive attention in physical stores and online. The challenge lies in combining technology and social media—which are key channels for attracting brides—with the personal, human touch offered in stores because the experience of buying a dress and the emotions this magical moment evokes are at the very heart of bridal fashion.”
TBJ: Social media has transformed the way brides interact with brands. How should bridal retailers adapt to remain relevant in today’s digital landscape?
Albasari Caro: “Social media is a key tool for connecting with future brides. Retailers now leverage digital platforms to create inspirational content, use tools such as live video to showcase collections and provide personalised advice through digital channels. Omnichannel is essential—the shopping experience must be seamless between the online and offline worlds.”
TBJ: BBFW is more than a trade show: it celebrates creativity, art, and culture. How do you incorporate these elements into the event?
Albasari Caro: “Each edition of BBFW is designed as an immersive experience that goes beyond fashion. We draw inspiration from art and culture to craft a unique visual and scenic concept, collaborate with artists and designers on creative installations, and organise exclusive events that strengthen the connection between bridal fashion and other disciplines. This year, for instance, our image has been inspired by the Mediterranean blue and the works of artists such as Joan Miró and Salvador Dalí.”
ALBASARI CARO (1)
Director of Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week (BBFW)
TBJ: Sustainability is a growing focus in bridal fashion. How does BBFW support brands with ecological awareness and innovation in the sector?
Albasari Caro: “Sustainability is a priority for us. We actively recruit brands that develop responsible production processes, promote the use of recycled materials, and have implemented measures within the event to minimize our environmental impact. Additionally, we collaborate with organizations encouraging artisanal production and circular fashion, ensuring that BBFW becomes a benchmark in sustainable bridal fashion.”
In your previous role at Pronovias, you led global retail expansion. How does that experience influence your leadership at BBFW?
Albasari Caro: “Working on the global expansion of a leading firm allowed me to understand the particularities of each market and the needs of different consumer profiles. This experience now helps me position BBFW as a strategic event for the internationalization of brands, ensuring that it serves as a platform to connect designers and buyers worldwide. Moreover, it is an incredibly stimulating challenge for me because, thanks to BBFW, I now have the opportunity to work with all the brands in a fascinating industry—
“The ultimate expression of fashion and creative talent combined with a very dynamic market that has its own unique timing in design, production, and sales.”
VIVIENNE WESTWOOD (2)
Images: Fira Barcelona
TBJ: What challenges do you foresee for the bridal fashion industry in the coming years, and how is BBFW positioned to help brands face them?
Albasari Caro: “One of the main changes for our industry is the transformation in consumer behavior: brides are increasingly seeking personalization, versatility, and sustainability in their dresses. Furthermore, digitization is changing the way collections are purchased and discovered. BBFW has the role of both observing trends and reacting to them, creating a setting where brands can adapt and evolve with these changes. Our mission is to stay ahead by driving constant and organic evolution.”
TBJ: What impact do you expect BBFW to have on the global bridal fashion industry in the next five years?
Albasari Caro: “My goal is for BBFW to become the unmissable event not only for the bridal industry but also for the evening wear sector, because we must not forget that for every bride there are many guests looking for a special look to share in the wedding celebration. Traditions and customer behavior may vary greatly from one country to another, but one thing is clear: all friends and family are in search of a special dress.”
“I see a growth opportunity for BBFW in the mother of the bride and evening gown part of our business. In fact, many of the brands exhibiting at the fair have their own line of evening dresses—some of which dress international celebrities on red carpets around the world.”
TBJ: What can attendees and industry professionals expect from this year’s BBFW? Any novelties or surprises?
Albasari Caro: “This year we are staging a spectacular edition. We will feature over 450 brands from 32 countries, exclusive runway shows, and the participation of iconic labels such as Vivienne Westwood, who will headline Bridal Night and share the Showroom Area with Giambattista Valli, Ines di Santo, Georges Hobeika, Zuhair Murad, Stéphane Rolland, Elie Saab, Jenny Packham, Tony Ward, Reem Acra, Viktor & Rolf, and Antonio Riva. Two of these premium brands will take to the runway!In total, there will be 44 designers showcasing in our fashion shows, including The Atelier by Jimmy Choo, Wang Feng Couture, Cymbeline, Sophie et Voilà, Joli Poli, Serina, Katy Corso, Yuliia Lobachóva Couture, Woná Concept & Eva Lendel, and Agnieszka Swiatly. We have also expanded networking spaces, and for the first time, we have created a new area for the runway and the fashion village in the Palacio del Hall 8 of the Montjuïc venue.”
TBJ: Lastly, what advice would you give to bridal fashion brands seeking to grow in the current market?
Albasari Caro: “I would tell them to maintain their authenticity and essence. Innovation is key, but so is the ability to connect emotionally with brides. Brands that genuinely convey their story and adapt to new trends and communication channels will be the ones that shape the future of bridal fashion.”
