Nicolás Montenegro is a Spanish fashion designer known for his haute couture creations. Born in Seville, he trained at the Istituto Marangoni in Milan and eventually launched his own label, making a name for himself in the Spanish fashion scene with his elegant and sophisticated designs, which have been worn by numerous celebrities.
When you begin a new collection, do you prefer to draw inspiration from local culture, fashion history, or international trends?
“There is something very particular about my creative process: I almost never start from a specific trend, but rather from memories. My collections are born from lived moments, from real emotions that my mind keeps and to which I constantly return in order to reinterpret them and transform them into design. They are often experiences linked to travels, to special moments with friends or family, to visits to museums, cathedrals, palaces, or to stages of my life in cities that have shaped my creative journey such as Milan, London, Paris, Barcelona, Madrid or Seville. I’m greatly inspired by architecture, art, and the cultural atmosphere of the places I visit. For me, designing is a way of translating those memories into pieces that emotionally connect with people.”
How would you defend, in a few words, the role and value of craftsmanship today?
“Craftsmanship today is more necessary than ever. It represents respect for the craft, for time, and for the know-how passed down to us by our mothers and grandmothers. In true luxury there is no room for haste or mass production: there are hands, dedication, and attention to detail. In contrast to fast fashion, which is increasingly worn out, craftsmanship is once again becoming a symbol of authenticity. Because in the end, it is precisely in those small human imperfections where true perfection is born.”
What challenges have you encountered when trying to combine artisanal techniques with contemporary fashion trends?
“The main challenge is not the technique, but the time and rhythm demanded by the world today. We live in an accelerated industry, but craftsmanship requires pause, precision, and respect for the process. Integrating contemporary languages without losing the artisanal essence requires great creative discipline: adapting current silhouettes, volumes, or modern proportions to traditional hand-crafted techniques. The challenge is to evolve without betraying the craft, and to turn that artisanal heritage into something alive, relevant, and desirable for today’s woman.”
A garment you will never forget creating?
“The garment I will never forget is, without a doubt, my sister’s wedding dress. For me it was something very special because she and I have a very deep connection, almost like twins, even though we are only a year apart. It also carried enormous symbolism: I was her best man, since my father passed away from COVID, and that dress became a way of honoring love, family, and memory. In fact, it was three dresses in one, designed to accompany every moment of the day. It was filled with emotion, history, and truth. It was so authentic that it ended up going viral and appearing in numerous fashion media outlets. But beyond the attention it received, the most important thing was what it represented for us.”
Your favorite hotel and book?
“My favorite hotel is Palacio de San Benito in Cazalla de la Sierra. It’s a former convent that has been converted into a boutique palace, owned by my friend Carlos. For me it is a very special place because I have experienced moments of true disconnection there, both traveling with friends and spending time with my family and my nephews, who are very important to me. I like returning because I feel a sense of home there, surrounded by people I love.
Its decoration, created by Carlos himself together with Amaro Sánchez de Moya, is spectacular and creates a unique atmosphere where history, art, and contemporary sensibility coexist in perfect harmony.
As for books, I would choose the Martín Ojo de Plata trilogy by Matilde Asensi, especially Venganza en Sevilla. As a Sevillian, I love rereading it and then walking through the places that appear in the novel. Matilde has an extraordinary ability to reconstruct history with such rigor and detail that even palaces, squares, and spaces that no longer exist seem to come back to life. It’s a reading that always inspires me.”
What place in the world would you like to explore wearing your Friulanes?
“More than a specific place, I would like to travel through my own history. To walk again through all the spaces I have lived in from the moment I was born until today, accompanied by the people who have shaped my life. Places where I have learned, where I have been happy, and where I have also fallen and stood up again. I would love to walk those paths wearing my Friulanes as a symbol of journey, evolution, and everything that has shaped me as a person and as a creator. Because in the end, the most important places are not always on the map, but in our memories.”
How would you design your perfect Cayumas?
“For me it would feel very natural to design with Cayumas because we share the same philosophy: respect for craftsmanship and the value of the handmade process. That culture is part of my creative DNA. I studied at the Istituto Marangoni in Milan and worked with great Italian houses such as Dolce & Gabbana, where artisanal tradition is sacred.
I would imagine a line fully aligned with the essence of the brand, where luxury, craftsmanship, beauty, and style coexist in balance. And why not also a special collection for brides: artisanal, elegant, and comfortable footwear designed for a contemporary bride who wants to feel sophisticated without giving up comfort.”
