10 Questions with Jesus Peiro's Merché Segarra

1. How did you get into designing bridal and how long have you worked for JESÚS PEIRO?
When I started my professional life, I came into contact with the world of the Atelier and collections that were developed according to the customers' needs. It's when I made my first wedding dresses. Years later, when the owner of JESÚS PEIRO, Jesús Diez Betriu asked me to design their collections, I was fully introduced into the world of wedding gowns. I've been with the company for 18 years now.

2. How would you describe the design aesthetic of JESÚS PEIRO and who is your bride?
It's a classic aesthetic, with references to contemporary fashion. A renewed classic that's defined by the use of excellent, high quality materials, handcrafted finishes and very essential lines. Our bride is cosmopolitan, she loves elegance, the apparent simplicity of our designs and their high quality.

3. Where is the company based and tell us about the quality of how the garments are made.
The company's headquarters are located in Viladecans, a town near Barcelona. We distribute our products across the globe from these facilities. Our products are 100% made in Spain, in fact we are the only company in the sector with the "ORIGEN ESPAÑA" quality seal. The quality control is very rigorous. That's because certain parts of the garments are always hand-made. We strive to offer this excellence in all of the brand's dresses.

4. How much do fashion trends of the moment influence your designs?
They have an overall influence. It's important that we include them in the volumes, selection of fabrics and development of the aesthetics that make up the collection's personality, like accessories and special embellishments. That's one of our distinguishing features in the industry.

5. Where else do you get your inspiration?
Often, cultural events, travel, or certain individuals attract attention. Inspiration is always different, every season it surprises you and if it surprises you when you're already working on the next collection, that’s even better...

6. What is the theme for the upcoming collection?
Our new collection is called AMALIA. It shows us a contemporary woman, eco-sensitive, connected to her surroundings, a lover of nature and doing good work. A woman between two worlds, the technological one in the future and the one with an artisanal past that adds value and elegance. A modern, poetic and magical woman. She has been our muse.

7. What kind of fabrics do you like to work with?
All of them, in fact, the collection has a very wide variety of types. Nevertheless, the brand is certainly known for and identified with dresses with refined and elegant lines in their different styles, both in volume and in simpler lines, and they are created with satin, Mikado, taffeta and crêpe. However, adornments are very present; embroidered fabrics on tulle, touches of Chantilly, lace and delicate beaded fabrics. Jacquard fabrics that are exceptionally semi-smooth to round off a very wide range of textures, and we certainly have to mention the essential presence of tulle.

8. What trends do you see for upcoming weddings in 2021 and 2022?
I think that the flowing crêpe dresses, sleeves in all their variations and garments that complement and transform the dresses, such as capes, over trains and overskirts, will continue to be very important. I think that glitter will remain very present as well as the combination of contrasting materials. Romantic lines, however, will take center stage as well as a more functional type of bride. A bride who looks for comfort and versatility of the garments, more flexible and matching ideas. A wide and very appealing selection.

9. JESÚS PEIRO sells all over the world are there specific looks for different markets?
There are dresses that are designed with the knowledge that certain markets are more responsive to buying them, and we try to spread them evenly throughout the collection. This makes the brand much more versatile and helps us to keep growing. The strong personality of the product allows us to develop different types of dresses without losing the style that we are known for.

10. During the lockdown of the pandemic did you work on any other creative endeavors besides designing bridal?
No, during the pandemic the company got involved in making healthcare apparel to help with the difficult circumstances we are in. I didn't spend time designing, but we were still very active.