laia aidar bestene

I’m 22 years old and originally from the south of Argentina, where I grew up surrounded by wind, mountains, and women who sewed. Since I was very young, fashion has been part of my life thanks to my grandmother and my mother, who taught me that a garment can be much more than something functional, it can tell stories, carry emotions, and become a form of identity. At 18, I moved to Barcelona to study Fashion Design, a decision that deeply transformed how I see the world and how I create. I graduated in June 2025 with a proposal that merges haute couture with urban fashion, exploring themes such as transformation, empowerment, and the construction of the self. My work is defined by a structured and conceptual aesthetic, where the use of recycled materials, especially leather, becomes a symbolic tool of strength, resilience, and consciousness. During my studies, I completed internships in Berlin with independent brands such as Josefina Studio and Therapy, where I refined my skills in upcycling, pattern-making, and artisanal garment construction. My graduation collection, Forged Identity, was selected to represent my school in a European competition for emerging designers, standing out for its emotional depth, strong visual language, and sustainable approach. For me, designing is both an intimate and rebellious act. It’s a way to tell my own story, but also to create space for others to express theirs through what they wear.