The councillor for Economic Development of the Cabildo, Minerva Alonso, assures that the latest edition of Gran Canaria Swim Week has managed to close international orders during the event, marking a milestone.
Canarian swimwear has taken a giant leap. The councillor for Economic Development, Industry, Trade and Handicrafts of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, Minerva Alonso, has confirmed that the latest edition of Gran Canaria Swim Week achieved something unprecedented: closing sales during the runway itself. International buyers took advantage of the event to place orders, a sign that the event has reached the professional maturity it aimed for.
In an interview given to the podcast La Alameda, Alonso explained that the change of dates, initially forced by the international calendar, has ultimately benefited the event. "The attendance of specialized professionals has increased considerably," she highlighted. The councillor emphasized that this success is not coincidental: "For the first time, sales have been closed during the celebration of Swim Week itself."
Canarian Identity as a Differentiating Seal
Alonso insisted that the great strength of local swimwear lies in its authenticity. "Our collections speak of our landscape, our culture, our open character," she stated. For her, it is essential that the runway maintains its own personality, even as the number of interested European and American brands grows. "It is important to open ourselves to the world, but without ceasing to be who we are," she summarised.
The councillor cited the French brand Chantelle as an example, an international benchmark in the sector. "That a company of that level calls the Cabildo to ask how it can participate means we have reached the place we wanted to be," she pointed out. The presence of foreign brands increases competitiveness and elevates the prestige of the Gran Canaria event.
Focus on Professionals, Not Celebrities
One of the most notable strategic changes has been the profile of the guests. The organization has moved away from the media component to focus on international supermodels, specialized buyers, and fashion editors. "What we seek is to build loyalty among the professional audience and prevent the runway from becoming simply a spectacle," Alonso explained.
In this line, names like Ariadne Artiles, Valentina Ferrer, Sarah Culman, or Leoni Janni have walked the runway, figures closely linked to the main runways of the world. The councillor made it clear that the goal is for fashion to generate wealth, employment, and business opportunities for Gran Canaria.
Support for New Designers and Digital Projection
The model of Gran Canaria Moda Cálida has also been key. Alonso highlighted the case of Chacho SVNRS, which started on platforms for new talents and is now making its way to the international fair in Milan. She also mentioned Sandra Jarruita, another young designer from Gran Canaria whose growth demonstrates that institutional support works. "We don’t want anyone to fail due to haste. We prefer to accompany designers step by step," she stated.
Social media has multiplied the global projection of the event. Although Alonso insists that "what is truly important is always the collections," she acknowledges that digital content allows for the dissemination of designers' work far beyond the runway. The Cabildo has strengthened the production of editorial content to project both the creativity of the brands and the image of Gran Canaria.
For the island reader, the news has a direct impact: local swimwear not only dresses but also sells. The next edition of Gran Canaria Swim Week is already underway, and all signs point to the bar continuing to rise.
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