Alejandro Gómez Palomo, the creative force behind Palomo Spain, has transformed the world of menswear by breaking away from traditional conventions and introducing a sense of liberation and artistry. Since founding the brand nearly nine years ago, Palomo Spain has stood out for its unique blend of femininity and boldness, offering garments that embrace luxury, glamour, and intricate detail. From beading and feathers to embroidery and flowing dresses, Alejandro’s vision challenges the boundaries of what menswear can be, allowing men the freedom to explore softer, more expressive styles. His Andalusian heritage plays a significant role in shaping the brand’s aesthetic, with vibrant colors, rich textures, and an appreciation for craftsmanship inspired by the landscapes and culture of southern Spain.
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In this interview with editor Anastasija Pavic, Alejandro reflects on his journey with Palomo Spain, from its origins to its ever-evolving message of genderless fashion. He shares how his upbringing, including influences from Catholicism and Spanish folklore, have permeated his collections, adding layers of depth and storytelling to each design. Looking ahead, Alejandro offers insight into his latest collection, “ALL OF HEAVEN’S PARTIES,” a bold exploration of pleasure and freedom. As Palomo Spain continues to grow, Alejandro’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of fashion remains unwavering, with his sights set on further expansion and creative exploration.
What was the driving idea behind Palomo Spain when you founded it, and how has that vision adapted as the brand has grown? – The inspiration behind the brand was really to find liberation from a traditional menswear closet. I saw the need to do something different in my life as well as my friends’ lives; we have all been fascinated with fashion since we were kids and I wanted to offer something different than what was out there. We really enjoyed trying on vintage womenswear and trying things that were not traditional in menswear pieces. I felt that menswear was lacking detail, glamour, luxury, and wanted to start doing pieces with beading, embroidery, feathers, and even creating dresses. I just wanted to give people the option and, in a way, liberate men. I think that message has stayed very true to the brand. It has evolved of course, and the techniques have become more refined. We do design classic menswear pieces but always with that touch of freedom, femininity, and softness.
How has your Andalusian heritage influenced the spirit of Palomo Spain? – My love for Andalucia is another element that made the brand stand out. When I was in London and searching for my essence, I started to fall back in love with what I had experienced as a kid. When I travelled back to Spain, I was able to go see the artisans create these intricate silk embroideries and fringes that captivated me. The detail, the vibrant colors in the flowers, the bright sunny landscapes that are seen throughout Andalucia… All of that continuously influences my work. Although the church is not a part of my day-to-day, my Catholic upbringing has definitely been an influence in my work. It was the one place I could find the most glamour, the richest fabrics, and refined details, which has influenced my last collection greatly.
The inspiration behind the brand was really to find liberation from a traditional menswear closet.
Spanish folklore and legends are rich with supernatural elements and mystery. Have any of these stories or beliefs shaped your perception of the world, or influenced your creativity? – There are folklore artists that inspire my work. I listen to Lola y Manuel every day, and I think they have inspired me throughout my career. My work has been inspired by mysticism, poetry, love stories and beautiful words that are so present in my life. It has given me a sense of sensibility and appreciation of folklore and has become an obsession for me.
What do you hope to communicate through your genderless designs, and how do you see this approach affecting the future of fashion? – The genderless approach to my collection came after, as a way to define my work. It wasn’t intentional at the beginning but made total sense with the pieces I create. Genderless means I am able to have anyone as a customer which allows me to have reach and hopefully bring joy to more people with what we do. The message of genderless fashion is more accepted now compared to when I first started. I think, with time, people have been more accepting, and men have had a chance to be liberated in the way that we approach fashion.
In your designs, you pair delicate materials like chiffon and lace with bold ones like leather and denim. How do you strike that balance between softness and edge? – When I approached this collection, I thought about the softness and edge that can be found in human nature. We all have that soft side which the pieces reflected through whites and feathers allowing it to be ethereal. We also have that duality that lives within ourselves: the darkness, the mystery, the night, forbidden places. I thought it was important to have a balance in the show to attract people and have them relate to the story I am trying to tell.
Theatricality and drama are key elements in your collections. Have you ever drawn from pop culture references to shape the cinematic style of your presentations? – Pop culture has influenced me in many ways, there is nothing I can particularly recall now, but living in a society where pop culture is predominant, it is hard to not be influenced. I like to think of myself as someone with a more melancholic, theatrical, and historical approach. I always like to look back at history and analyze how fashion has been portrayed in different periods to understand and try to think of the future.
I think, with time, people have been more accepting, and men have had a chance to be liberated in the way that we approach fashion.
Can you give us a glimpse into the inspiration behind your SS25 collection, “ALL OF HEAVEN’S PARTIES”? – The inspiration behind this collection was to create a party in heaven. A party that gives us a sense that pleasure, lust, sexuality, and ecstasy can be done in heaven. Throughout time, we have been carrying this sense of guilt for things that are so natural to humans and give us pleasure. I wanted to let go of that weight and show that all the things that we may feel guilty about and give us joy can also be seen in heaven and we don’t need to feel bad about it.
What does “heaven” symbolize for you in the context of fashion? – To me, heaven means a place that we can be comfortable in, and we can enjoy. A place of acceptance and freedom to be whoever we want.
Throughout time, we have been carrying this sense of guilt for things that are so natural to humans and give us pleasure. I wanted to let go of that weight and show that all the things that we may feel guilty about and give us joy can also be seen in heaven and we don’t need to feel bad about it.
Looking ahead, how do you see your own growth and evolution reflected in the work you want to create? – We are now almost nine years old, and I feel very proud to see the brand grow and develop. I’ve seen a lot of brands that I admire die with time and it is a reality we face as designers. I think our brand has been really honest and clear with the message where we stand out with what we do. We enjoy exploring new things to do and pushing the boundaries of fashion. Palomo is an independent brand, and we do have a lot of big plans ahead. We want Palomo Spain to reach everyone and would love to one day have our own stores.
Originally published in DSCENE Wicked Wonderland Issue.
thanks
i love palomo spain! this is gorgeous!