The Joy of More: An Interview with Celia Bernardo of Celia B
Before Celia B became a universe of clashing prints, vibrant hues and maximalism, there were crochet bags. The journey of Celia Bernardo’s venture into making pieces by hand has been transformed into a visual universe fed from the creative energy and time she has dedicated living in Asia and the textiles, textures and references she has amassed. Yet, despite her travels, Madrid has been a pivotal player in the story of the brand. Bernardo studied in the Spanish capital, lived there for a decade and launched her designer career there.
She returns now for Celia B’s first ever official runway at MBFWMadrid, bringing together many of the themes that have defined the brand since its inception; craftsmanship, instinct and an unabashed love of colour. In our chat, Bernardo looks back on returning to Madrid, the experiences that have shaped the lexicon of Celia B and why, above all, fashion needs to be joyful.
photography Framae Studios
image courtesy Madrid Fashion Week
Sandra Myhrberg: This is your first official runway at MBFWMadrid. What does this moment mean to you?
Celia Bernardo: It is incredibly exciting and a real honour to be part of the main national fashion platform in Spain, surrounded by so many established and talented designers. For me, it also feels like a recognition of the work we have been doing over the years.
Madrid is a very important part of my story. I lived here for ten years, I came here to study, and it was also where I started my career as a designer. So coming back now to present Celia B at MBFWMadrid feels like a very special full circle moment. But more than anything, I see it as something to celebrate. I want to enjoy this moment with my family and friends, and especially with the incredible team behind the brand.
SM: What made you want to bring your work to Madrid at this point in your career?
CB: I think the timing felt right. MBFWMadrid is entering a new era, and I felt that Celia B was ready to be part of it. I have also always felt that Madrid has a special connection to the brand, and opening our showroom here a year ago made that connection even stronger.
Since then, we have felt a very warm response from the city and its fashion community. So it felt like the right moment to bring our universe to the runway and introduce it to a wider audience. I want people to discover our way of seeing fashion, colourful, expressive and maximalist. I would love for people to feel curious about it, to have fun with fashion and to take more colour into their own wardrobes.
SM: Your work has a very distinctive visual identity. How do you think that identity has evolved as the brand has grown?
CB: I think the essence has always been there. I have always been very eclectic in the way I dress and the way I design. I love mixing different references, materials, prints and textures. Living in Asia for so many years had a huge influence on that. Being exposed to a completely different culture, together with all the travelling and experiences I’ve had over the years, gave me a lot of freedom creatively. It made me realise that I don’t have to worry about what people are going to think and that I can really trust my own instincts. I think Celia B is very much a reflection of my own universe, a mix of the places I’ve lived, the people I’ve met, the things I’ve experienced and all the references I’ve collected along the way.
SM: How do you approach the relationship between craftsmanship, materials and contemporary design?
CB: For me, craftsmanship is what gives a piece its soul. I am very attracted to things that have been made with care, and I love when you can feel that in a garment through the fabrics, textures or the embroidery.
Some of the materials and details we use actually come from things we have found ourselves while travelling in different markets. Sometimes I see a fabric, a trim or an embroidered piece and I immediately fall in love with it. I might not even know yet what I am going to do with it, but I know I want to take it with me. Also, crochet is actually a very important part of the history of Celia B. The brand started with me making crochet bags, including our iconic Monster Bags, and crochet pieces have remained an important part of our collections ever since. It is something that has evolved with the brand, but has always been part of our DNA.
SM: What would you like audiences to discover about Celia B through this Madrid debut?
CB: With this runway, we want people to step into the world of Celia B and experience the universe we have created. I want them to discover our love for colour, prints, textures and maximalism, but also the joy and freedom that comes with dressing this way.
More than anything, I want people to feel part of it, to connect with the energy of the show and hopefully leave feeling inspired to bring a little bit of that Celia B spirit into their own lives. And, of course, to have fun!
