Gran Canaria Moda Cálida and ACME consolidate their strategic alliance to boost the fashion industry from the island

 

Gran Canaria Moda Cálida and the Association of Fashion Designers of Spain (ACME) today presented their collaboration guidelines for 2026, reinforcing a joint working model that positions the island as a benchmark in the structured development of the fashion sector in Spain.

 

 

The objective of this action has been to highlight and reinforce a joint ecosystem model that positions the island as a benchmark in the structured development of the fashion sector in Spain.

 

In a particularly significant year in which the program celebrates its 30th anniversary, both entities have highlighted the evolution of Gran Canaria Moda Cálida as a public initiative capable of generating industry, supporting talent and projecting it nationally and internationally.

 

During the press conference held at the Casa Palacio of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, the Councillor for Economic Development, Industry, Commerce and Crafts, Minerva Alonso, and the Executive Director of ACME, Pepa Bueno, detailed a roadmap focused on training, professionalization of the sector and the national projection of the designers linked to the program.

 

In the words of Minerva Alonso“Working together with ACME has allowed us to improve the program, listen to the sector, and incorporate its knowledge into public policies. ACME has been an instrument of evolution and improvement for us, as it advises us, guides our companies, and allows us to understand the trends and needs of the sector at a national level, which facilitates repositioning our strategy within the island's policy and strengthening the swimwear fashion model.”

 

Alonso also emphasized the role of this collaboration in consolidating the swimwear catwalk: “Today we have a European platform for presenting swimwear collections thanks to this teamwork, which has been able to introduce the necessary changes, reinforce our specialization and contribute to revitalizing the entire sector.”

 

For its part, Pepa GoodThe executive director of ACME highlighted the nature of the model promoted from the island: “Gran Canaria Moda Cálida demonstrates that when there is a clear structure and sustained support, talent can develop within the industry. At ACME, we work precisely on that: connecting designers with a real system, with tools, and with context.”

 

A consolidated model of public-sector collaboration

 

The collaboration between the two organizations dates back to 2015, when they organized a series of professional workshops on the island. The same model was repeated in 2016 and 2017. In April 2018, Gran Canaria Moda Cálida officially joined ACME as an associate member. Since then, they have developed a support system for creative talent that combines specialized training, strategic advice, and direct connections with the national industry.

 

This work has allowed us to evolve from isolated actions towards a stable model that integrates design, business and external projection, consolidating Gran Canaria as an active node within the Spanish fashion ecosystem.

 

Training, industry and real opportunities

 

One of the pillars of this alliance has been the development of a training program adapted to the real needs of the sector, in collaboration with educational centers on the island such as the School of Art and Design of Gran Canaria and the IES La Minilla.

 

These actions have incorporated both local designers and nationally renowned professionals, strengthening the connection between education and professional practice.

 

“We gather the needs of students and teachers and, from there, ACME builds training proposals with specialized professionals, directly connecting teaching with the reality of the industry,” Alonso explained.

This training program has featured the participation of prominent designers and industry professionals such as Helena Rohner, Modesto Lomba, Belén Larruy, Juan Carlos Mesa, Héctor Jareño, Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, Isabel Sanchís or Maya HansenFurthermore, it has featured specialists such as Daniel Sánchez, Ainhoa ​​García Echaniz, José Manuel Prieto, José Manuel Díaz, Javier Martín Galán, Inmaculada Urrea or Carlos Rui WambaAs for the island's designers, we find Aurelia Gil, Pedro Palmas, Santi Carballo, Jorge Toledo, Nuria González and Carmen González or artisans like José Manuel Rodríguez (Tamarcos).This comprehensive program has made it possible to consolidate a training ecosystem that connects design, industry and technical knowledge.

National projection, connection with the market and new lines of collaboration

The collaboration has also facilitated the integration of Canary Island firms into ACME and their access to key platforms such as Madrid es Moda, expanding their visibility and marketing opportunities.

Currently, the Canary Island designers who are members of ACME are: Mare Far Niente, Chacho Souvenirs, Mommy Loves, Volcano Blood, Daria Bae, Pedro Palmas, Ogadenia Couture, Elena Morales and Aurelia Gil.

 

Looking ahead to 2026, both entities will develop a new phase of the program focused on training, strategic reflection and external projection.

 

Firstly, a specialized training program will be launched on the island with the participation of designers and industry professionals, focusing on key areas such as collection development, production, and brand positioning.

 

In addition, a meeting will be held to analyze the role of public policies in boosting the sector and to share the experience of Gran Canaria as a case study of structured work with the industry.

 

In parallel, a visibility action will be developed within the framework of Madrid es Moda, which will allow the work of the designers in the program to be taken to a professional environment, facilitating their connection with the press, agents of the sector and new market opportunities.

A model of the future

 

After more than a decade of progressive collaboration and a structured model since 2015, Gran Canaria Moda Cálida and ACME consolidate a system that transcends the local to fully integrate into the national industry.

 

“Today we can say that Gran Canaria is an active part of the fashion system in Spain. We have gone from supporting talent to building an industry with structure, support, and a future,” Alonso concluded.