I’ll never forget a moment at a networking event last year—a woman walked in wearing a structured, pastel-toned power suit with statement accessories and a confident stride. Her visual narrative was clear: confidence, competence, and creativity. It reminded me that today’s fashion isn’t just about fabric—it’s a powerful tool for identity, communication, and executive branding.
In today’s evolving fashion landscape, the runway no longer exists only for fantasy or fun—it has become a serious space of influence. From Fashion Shows Para Ejecutivas redefining conservative corporate attire to student-led movements, like LCI Barcelona’s groundbreaking shows, fashion is creating new spaces where professional women express their modern workplace identities with pride.
Fashion in Transition: From Angels to Architects of Identity
Victoria’s Secret: A Look Back
Victoria’s Secret once ruled the fashion runway with elaborate sets, fantasy bras, and the famous “Angels.” In their 2018 desfile at Pier 94, NYC, Shawn Mendes, Halsey, Rita Ora, and Bebe Rexha performed as Leela James, The Chainsmokers, and others filled the air with music. Yet, despite the glamour, criticism poured in—lack of diversity, outdated ideals, and a narrow definition of beauty no longer aligned with public sentiment.
Executive Style, Reimagined
The transition from traditional to expressive fashion in the boardroom is in full swing. Today’s executive wardrobes reflect global cultural perspectives, showcasing everything from Japanese minimalism and African prints to Latin American flair. Gone are stiff, monochrome suits—replaced by movement-friendly, strategic pieces with tailored precision-fit, breathable smart fabrics, and color palettes influenced by psychological studies.
Fashion has become a statement of corporate empowerment. A carefully selected outfit communicates credibility, emotional intelligence, and the ability to seamlessly transition from high-level meetings to international networking events.
Student Voices: The LCI Barcelona Platform
LCI Barcelona is more than an academic institution—it’s a fashion lab where students explore the intersection of fashion, personal identity, and cultural narratives. Their student shows feature bold collections that reject the generic in favor of the authentic, and their runway is a launchpad for young creators, making it an increasingly visible, credible platform.
Iconic Settings: Fashion Finds Its Stage
Marbella Fashion Show: Cultural Explosion
Now in its fifth edition, the Marbella Fashion Show, held on Thursday, July 14 at Avenida Lola Flores in Puerto Banús, showcased the finest in cultural fusion, heritage, and Andalusian design excellence. Supported by Nueva Moda Producciones, the Málaga Provincial Council, Coca-Cola, and Ocean Club, the event offered a vibrant blend of haute couture, glamour, and sustainability.
Designers included:
- Victorio & Lucchino with their primavera-verano 2023 “PAPILLON”, celebrating alas de mariposas, formas y volúmenes, gasa, and pedrerías.
- Agatha Ruiz de la Prada brought optimismo in rich, vivid hues.
- Other highlights: Esteban Freiría (Óleo & Arena), Romeo Couture, Susana Hidalgo, Rafael Urquízar, Remedios Bocanegra, and Deiver Luengo.
Accessories by Lucy Clip, fashion from Tu Regalo Marbella, and footwear by The Kings elevated every look.
LCI Barcelona: Symbolism in Progress
Hosted at their unfinished future campus in the 22@ district, LCI’s choice of venue represented creativity in motion. The raw, under-construction setting paralleled fashion’s ongoing reinvention. Guests included press, family, industry professionals, and creative collaborators.
Thematic Direction
HÂLÔ: LCI’s 2023 Theme
Rooted in Latin, HÂLÔ explored themes of longing, self-identity, and visual storytelling. Student collections acted as capsule expressions of dreams, fears, and personal philosophies. As LCI’s Estel Vilaseca put it: “It’s time fashion stopped being only about the surface.”
Victoria’s Secret: Global, Real, Inclusive
With Janie Schaffer and Sarah Sylvester now steering the brand, Victoria’s Secret embraces a vision global of femininity—focusing on representation, diverse body types, and inclusivity. They’re responding to past decisiones críticas with an emphasis on real people, not unreachable ideals.
Runway Revelations: Executive to Emerging
Executive Fashion Cheat Sheet
| Element | Description | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Tailored Suits | Precision-fit elegance | Authority |
| Statement Accessories | Unique pieces that tell a story | Visibility |
| Smart Fabrics | Breathable, movement-friendly | Comfort |
| Strategic Colors | Based on color psychology | Influence & confidence |
| Texture Play | Leather, silk, tweed | Sophistication |
Marbella Day One
- Victorio & Lucchino: garden-inspired palettes, vidrieras, alas, floral motifs.
- The Kings: bold footwear with artisanal detail.
- Tu Regalo: local firma multimarca featuring original talento from Málaga.
Marbella Day Two
- Agatha Ruiz de la Prada: color explosions and optimism.
- Susana Hidalgo, Romeo Couture, Moncho Heredia, Kai&Koa, Pepe Canela, La Mosquita, and more brought a mix of conteporary elegance, siluetas femeninas, and ocasiones especiales.
The Collections Speak
LCI Student Showcase
- 43 collections: 32 women’s, 10 men’s, 1 genderless.
- Designs included experimental techniques, sustainable fabric choices, and digital influences inspired by AR/VR aesthetics.
Jury & Awards
- Jury: Editors, stylists, photographers from Vogue, Herdes, and Metal Magazine.
- Top Designers: Julia Crusells, Annabel Pulido, Marta Cebrián, Maria Solé, Laia Alarge, and more.
- Blend Showroom Award: Crusells, Pulido, Cebrián.
- Towanda Models Award: Andres Moscoso.
Marbella MFS Prize 2022
- Winner: Los del Puente
- Finalists: Firenze Tam, Andrea Mazzone, María Dolores Moreno, Miguel Ángel Ocón.
- Jury President: Esperanza González Pazos from Delegación de Desarrollo Económico y Sostenible.
Representation & Format Evolution
Victoria’s Secret 2024
Expected to be a hybrid showcase merging fashion, art, and global culture. Models include diverse ethnicities, body shapes, and gender expressions. Less about “Angels,” more about relatable icons.
LCI Barcelona
Led by Gabriel Torres, Estefania Feu, and Manuel Bolaño, students collaborated across production, communications, and design—a showcase of collective creativity and interdisciplinary innovation.
Technology & Fashion’s Digital Presence
- AR/VR fitting rooms
- AI stylists suggesting custom outfits
- Virtual runways transforming how fashion is presented and consumed
Both Victoria’s Secret and LCI leveraged platforms like The Angle Studio on YouTube, making immersive experiences available to global audiences.
Cultural & Global Impact
Fashion isn’t just evolving—it’s expanding across cultures. Marbella and LCI showcase diverse approaches to design rooted in tradition and experimentation. Victoria’s Secret is no longer just a brand—it’s a reflection of cultural change and brand transformation.
Fashion Infrastructure & Partnerships
- Marbella’s infrastructure: Emcees Jacqueline Campos & Roberto Caballero, Makeup by Antonio Eloy Escuela Profesional, Media by Linda Magazine, Support from Touch Comunicación, Fissa, Starlite Shop, Bodegas Hispano Suizas, Coca-Cola, and more.
- LCI production: ESMA, Towanda Models, Cazcarra, Thuya, graphics by Michelle Telkamp, and event management by Master’s students in Fashion Marketing.
Then vs. Now Comparison
| Victoria’s Secret | 2018 | 2024 (Expected) |
|---|---|---|
| Venue | Pier 94, NYC | Global hybrid |
| Models | Angels | Diverse identities |
| Style | Glam fantasy | Empowered realism |
| Audience Reaction | Glamorous, exclusive | Inclusive, culturally aware |
| Competitor | None | Savage x Fenty |
What’s Next
- Marbella 2024: New themes, regional talent, innovation in sustainability.
- Victoria’s Secret: New model lineup, themes, creative collaborators.
- LCI Barcelona: Continued expansion and future campus launch.
Final Thoughts
Fashion is no longer just about what you wear—it’s how you lead, how you express, and how you connect. Whether you’re in the boardroom or on the runway, today’s style reflects strength, strategy, and soul.
