Runway
With ULLĀSA, María Lafuente presented a collection that blends sustainability, craftsmanship, and artistry, inspired by the Sanskrit word for “joy.” Through natural fabrics, hand-crocheted details, and fluid silhouettes, the designer reaffirmed her mission to use fashion as both beauty and social change.
Updated 07:25 am EDT, September 21, 2025
Published 07:16 am EDT, September 21, 2025
Photo Courtesy: © IFEMA MADRID
María Lafuente is a multidisciplinary designer with more than twenty years of international experience. María Lafuente was born in Asturias but was then raised in León, Spain. A member of the Spanish Association of Fashion Designers (ACME), her work uniquely combines fashion, art, architecture, poetry, nature, and music, resulting in collections that are artistic creations that pose ethical statements about our world. Restless and optimistic, María Lafuente defines herself as a tireless artist in continuous creative exploration. Her Spring/Summer 2026 collection presented at the Madrid Fashion Week SS26 is titled “ULLĀSA”.
One of her goals is to continue positioning Spanish fashion as a place where beauty becomes a driver of awareness and social change. Her collaborations include pioneering companies such as Jeanologia, artisan groups like Arte-Sanas de Madrid, and innovative textile projects that connect tradition and future.
At a more detailed level, María Lafuente’s design philosophy is an innovative fusion of art, sustainability, and social commitment. She uses fashion as a vehicle for environmental and social change, combining cutting-edge technology with traditional craftsmanship and a deep respect for nature. Lafuente often describes her work as a dialogue between the individual and the universe.
María Lafuente "Ullasa" collection during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid - September 2025
The name is inspired by the Sanskrit word for “joy” or “divine ecstasy”. It reflects Lafuente’s aim to create fashion that connects wearers with nature and a sense of purpose. The use of sustainable materials and artisan craftsmanship further emphasizes the collection’s ethos.
ULLĀSA expresses itself through a palette that evokes a connection with nature: white, beige, tangerine, yellow, green, pink, and black. The fabrics—PEFC-certified Tencel, cotton, linen, tulle, and lace—interact with designer jewelry and unique hand-crocheted details created in collaboration with Arte-Sanas in Madrid. Each texture celebrates authenticity, craftsmanship, and breathability.
María Lafuente "Ullasa" collection during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid - September 2025
The atmosphere of the fashion show was enhanced through music and dance. This music provided a parallel language that amplified the message of the collection. The original music is provided by Álvaro Zeidan, a 23-year-old creator who has been developing musical composition and production projects since the age of 16.
A favorite look in the collection was this glorious neo-Victorian top, which at first glance is made of buttery light-yellow lace with a sexy transparency. It is high-necked, long-sleeved, but in the front ends at the mid-riff in a border of ruffles that seem organic, not ruthlessly planned. The back of the blouse is a different story. The blouse continues with a train of buttery lace that trails the ground behind the model and elevates the whole outfit into art. The blouse is paired with a pair of gorgeous, complex, cobalt blue slacks with inverse pleats and folds that have spare, delicate vines layered on the fabric in a lighter shade of blue. The entire look is modern but linked to the beauty of the Victorian era while maintaining a soft, sensual vibe.
María Lafuente "Ullasa" collection during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid - September 2025
Another piece that really caught the eye was a structured and dramatic coat in a cream fabric with hints of a warm yellow undertone. The coat has luxurious, exaggerated lapels that frame the model’s shoulders and face. The labels have been embellished with geometric fabric epaulets that give one the sense of lace but with a more substantial presence. The embellishments, at the same time, reinforce the power of the coat while maintaining a confident femininity. The coat reached the ground and was beautifully constructed. To emphasize the power of the coat, it was paired with a straightforward pair of women’s trunks and nothing else.
Next, Maria Lafuente will continue to partner with other artists, institutions, and innovative companies, as alliances are a core part of her creative process. Beyond the runway, Lafuente is also a costume director for various productions, including the popular sci-fi series Territorio Gravedad. Yet as busy as she is, we at Avessa admire her commitment to the environment while still producing beautiful, unique clothes that thrill our inner artists. And of course, create a not-so-secret feeling to wear all these pieces.
Recovering from an obsession with Italian-designed menswear, Alfonso decided to take a deeper look into women’s fashion to see how our relationship among clothing, society, and business has changed. Educated as an economist with an MBA, he travels between Chicago, Miami, and Mexico on a search to see what happens next to fashion.
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