A master of haute couture revolutionizes the classrooms of Barcelona

Barcelona"It's a fantastic experience. It's every designer's dream to see their work on a runway and for someone like him to have the humility and kindness to share his space with students. I find it incredible," explains an excited Isabella, a graduate of the Master's program in Bridal and Formal Wear Design, who is currently experiencing a mix of euphoria, pressure, and that electric feeling that occurs just before something big happens in the workshops. The setting: the Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week 2026 runway. The name that changes everything: Stéphane Rolland.

The dynamic is as simple as it is extraordinary. Under the motto Sculpted by natureThe French designer has invited students from LCI Barcelona, ​​IED Barcelona, ​​and ESDI to participate in his show at Bridal Night on April 22nd, which kicks off Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week 2026, at Palau 8 in the Montjuïc venue.

The idea of ​​generational succession is not just rhetoric. Rolland states it frankly: "In my life, I was fortunate to have teachers who taught me a great deal. Now it's my turn to pass the torch, to transmit all my knowledge if I can help the new generation. If we are here on this planet, it is to transmit knowledge." And he emphasizes the emotional dimension of the project: "This experience, the students will never forget. And I had this opportunity, I received this favor when I was young, and I want to give back."

But it's not just about "walking the runway with him." The process begins much earlier. First, a clear commission: a dress inspired by nature, yes, but with technical rigor. Then came sketches, prototypes, and an initial internal selection process at each school. The jury, headed by Rolland himself, reviewed ideas, technical tests, and conceptual approaches in person. Sensitivity was valued, but so was craftsmanship.

Isabella knew what she wanted from the start. "Organic silhouettes, an almost tactile approach," she explains about her conceptual starting point. But the most revealing aspect has been the process: "I already had an idea of ​​the adjustments I should make, and he simply confirmed them. He has much more experience than I do and always has a perhaps simpler way of solving everything; I love it."

Esther and Sebas, who produce another design, work side by side. "We feel incredibly privileged to be in this position," she confesses. And her partner adds: "Every suggestion should be accepted with a bit of humility. You're showing your own." baby“Having someone of such high prestige give us their opinion is a privilege and it reaffirms what we are doing.”

Sara, another of those chosen for the challenge, constructs her narrative from a different angle and opts for a more formal purity. “I want the public to think: sometimes the simplest things are the hardest to pull off.” A statement that summarizes the essence of haute couture: the complexity hidden behind simplicity. Regarding the opportunity to work side-by-side with Rolland, Sara doesn't hide her admiration: “He is one of my favorite designers; it has been a true privilege and a pleasure to be able to spend time with him, to learn everything he knows and everything he has been able to share with us.” And she adds a reflection that resonates among her classmates: “You learn from everything.”

And Sol, also a student at the center, highlights above all the designer's comments and her own. “I asked him questions at every opportunity and he gave me some very good ideas.”

A dress rehearsal of reality

From an academic perspective, the view is equally compelling. Pilar Pasamontes, co-founder of the IED teaching committee and professor and scientific director of the IED Barcelona Fashion School, has no doubt: "This activity is absolutely essential; it's a huge motivation. For them, having this opportunity is truly wonderful." And when she talks about the pre-runway jitters, she smiles: "Here, we can't even talk about nerves; they're completely agitated, but also excited. It's a great prize, like winning the Christmas lottery."

Beyond the media impact, Pasamontes defends the educational value of the process with the same passion. "Feedback is fundamental to education, and in fashion, even more so. There are only three or four masters in the world. This feedback is crucial for professional life." It's not just a fashion show; it's a dress rehearsal for reality.

During three in-person sessions with the designer, focused on defining volumes and technical guidance, the various types of materials specific to the bridal world, provided by the historic Barcelona textile house Gratacós, have been taking shape.

There are still days to go until the runway show. But perhaps the most transformative thing is already happening: the process. In a city that has breathed bridal fashion for over a century, this initiative not only showcases emerging talent; it tests it in a real, demanding, and international context.

Rolland summarizes the initiative with a serenity that contrasts with the young people's nerves: "I don't feel like a guest at this event; I feel incredibly comfortable. I want to offer Barcelona one of the most beautiful fashion shows in history, and I would like to bring even more beauty and even more magic," he says. "It's a precious moment, a great opportunity."

Perhaps, when April 22nd arrives, the public will only perceive the beauty. But that experience has already left its mark. Because, as Rolland reminds us, shared knowledge is what endures.