During Marbella Luxury Weekend 2014 i-Marbella had the honor to meet Custo Dalmau (born in the Catalan Pyrenees as Ángel Custodio Dalmau Salmons, Tremp, Catalonia 1959) who is the designer for Custo Barcelona brand.
Custo spent his childhood and adolescence in Barcelona, where he studied Architecture, and his brother David studied the Arts. In 1980 he founded the label Custo Line with his brother David which in 1996 became Custo Barcelona and today is a label of Blue Tower S.L., Barcelona. Initially focusing on printed tops and T-shirts inspired by the looks of Californian surfers, the label meanwhile has added a full range of women’s clothing, a men’s line, as well as shoes and accessories. Since 2008 licenses for fragrances and perfumes have been issued.
Specialty of the Catalan fashion label are complex and colorful graphical prints and intricate textile finishing which evolved over the years based on the architecture and design background of the Dalmau brothers. Over the years Custo Barcelona has been very successful with celebs in Hollywood, his fashion styles have even on show in several films. Custo Dalmau has appeared in many Spanish-language TV series and shows. The label is available globally in more than 40 countries through about 80 own shops and 3.000 fashion retailers and expands heavily in Northern America, Latin America and Asia. The label regularly takes part in Mercedes-Benz Fashion Show New York, but also shows in Miami, in Lima (Peru), several times in Berlin (Germany) and lately in Shanghai.
1. How has the brand changed over the years?
We have grown a lot but the DNI that we created 34 years ago, that was based on fusion of colours and graphics has remained the same.
2. How has the fashion industry changed?
The business changed a lot because when we started, everything was just about being creative, and now the industry is much more strategical.
3. How big is your team today?
We started alone with my brother and now 400 people work for us and we are in over 40 countries.
4. Initially you studied architecture. But how did you start designing? And where did you learn?
When you are enthusiastic about something you want to learn. So I did.
5. How long does it take to create one collection?
It takes 6 months altogether.
6. What are you working on at the moment?
Currently we are finishing the spring/summer collection for next year and we are presenting the collection in 20 days.
7. What is new about it?
For us it is very important to develop a collection that our consumers recognise without reading the name on the label. So we always keep our identity, but we have to do it in a new way that is still attractive and fresh.
8. What colours are you using for the next collection?
You will see our whole new collection when you enter our website www.custo.com on the 2nd of July.
9. What are you other passions besides designing?
Family definitely. I have five kids and I also love sports. For example kite surfing is my favourite.
10. How do you feel about Marbella?
I love Marbella. It is like a Disneyland for adults. I have been here many times, but the last time was three years ago.
11. This is your first year on Marbella Luxury Weekend?
I think I chose a great year to come. I am very happy and I have never had my show on a floating catwalk before to be honest. There’s a first time for everybody.
