Catalan designers Immaclé, Mariano Moreno, and Andrea Lalanza led the opening of Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week on Wednesday, 22 April, at Fira de Barcelona's Montjuïc venue. Organisers are aiming for another record year for the 2026 edition of the international event. Event director Albasarí Caro stated that matching last year's attendance of 23,500 would be a strong result given the "unstable" international environment. Growth in visitor numbers has been affected by fewer registered buyers from Asia and Australia, attributed to recent flight disruptions. Despite these challenges, Caro highlighted North America as a stable force in the bridal market. She noted that demand from the region remains "very strong" and continues to drive significant international purchasing activity, even with tariff-related pressures. This year's Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week showcases the extensive scale and global reach of Barcelona's bridal industry. According to organisers, Catalonia is responsible for over one-third of Spain's wedding dress exports, solidifying its standing as a European design centre. ## International Presence and Local Talent The runway shows commenced with 34 designers from 12 countries, with 60% of participants travelling from abroad. More than 1,000 looks are being presented, featuring collections from Catalan and Spanish names such as Yolancris and Isabel Sanchís, alongside international houses like Peter Langner and Demetrios. The commercial trade show is scheduled to open later in the week and will run until Sunday, gathering 420 brands from 37 countries, with 87% of them being international. Among the Catalan designers featured on the runway, Imma Rodríguez of Immaclé stressed the importance of local representation within a highly globalised industry. Designing from Canet de Mar in the Maresme region, Rodríguez observed that while Catalan designers constitute a minority on the global stage, their presence is becoming increasingly visible. With over 30 years of experience in the bridal sector, Rodríguez continues to sell internationally and downplayed concerns regarding U.S. tariffs affecting sales. She explained, "When a bride finds the dress she loves, tariffs are rarely what matters most." The programme continues on Thursday with presentations from Asian designers representing Vietnam, Japan, China, and Malaysia. US brands are scheduled to take the stage on Friday, further expanding the event's international scope.