Teresa Helbig
A dream come true: a fashion show in Paris
Teresa Helbig’s career has been built on hard work, passion, creativity and, of course, talent. A series of qualities that have allowed her to make her dreams come true; the latest being walking the runway in Paris. A milestone that wouldn’t have been possible without Iberia’s collaboration, who became the best travel companion, and which fashionistas will be able to discover, through a documentary presented at Cibelfest as part of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid.
Teresa Helbig had a dream, to walk the runway in Paris, and this dream came true on the 7th of March thanks to Talento a bordo, the Iberia initiative that supports Spanish talent. This wish turned into “immense joy”, as this winner of the 2023 Premio Nacional de Moda [National Fashion Award] admitted in the documentary (Talento a bordo con Teresa Helbig) which brings to life that moment and which has premiered on the 13th of September as part of the Cibelfest programme during MBFWMadrid. In the video, this designer shares her feelings before presenting her latest collection, 1832 Sur Mer (24/25 Autumn-Winter), while explaining the creative process and celebrating the close relationship that has connected her to the airline in recent years. As well as the documentary, attendees also go the chance to see the fashion show itself in an event presented by the designer Juan Avellaneda.
Teresa Helbig’s new collection, created exclusively for the occasion, is inspired by a French literary classic, Les Misérables, and was conceived in the best place possible, the iconic Parisian neighbourhood of Le Marais. This designer wanted to pay homage to Paris, a city she loves and has filled her imagination, but also to French culture: “Paris is the fashion city par excellence, its birthplace. Our homage during the fashion show is through Victor Hugo’s literature.” Teresa states that Iberia’s support was essential: “Iberia has always respected us and surged forward with everything that was in our head.”
On the 7th of March, Teresa was accompanied by dozens of people, which also happened on the 13th of September at Cibelespacio, where the launch was hosted. “You cannot imagine what it’s like to share this with people who’ve been with us for more than 20 years.” Among the attendees where friends of the brand like actress Macarena Gómez, singer Luz Casal, actor Gorka Otxoa, writer Elvira Lindo, artist Pedro Paricio, taekwondo athlete Adriana Cerezo or film director Clara Roquet, among others. They all travelled to Paris onboard an Iberia airplane, the A350 Next, named after the designer in 2023.
Iberia and Teresa Helbig, a story of love at first sight
“My relationship with Iberia has been wonderful —Teresa admits—. It’s been many years and it has always flowed, with enthusiasm on both sides. A spectacular love story.” In 2019, this Catalan designer became the first woman to create the Iberia uniforms, following designers like Pedro Rodríguez, Pertegaz, Elio Berhanyer, Alfredo Caral and Adolfo Domínguez. “When we were told we’d design them —she reminisces—, we thought: What a challenge! We were inspired by the people who work for the company, we wanted them to feel proud of belonging to it. We share a series of values with Iberia: tradition, experience, passion, commitment to service and modernity.”
“It would be impossible to be where we are today, to have this much visibility, without support like Iberia”
Teresa Helbig’s fashion show in Paris is part of the Talento a bordo initiative, which aims to support Spanish talent and help it transcend borders, and this action aligns with the airline’s purpose: to connect people and cultures to generate prosperity. “When you belong to the Talento a bordo team, you feel like you have wings. For them to bet on talent and support you is incredible. It would be impossible to be where we are today, to have this much visibility, without support like Iberia.” A collaboration based on respect, admiration, and complicity, and which will continue to weave the future of a designer who, despite keeping her feet firmly on the ground, is reaching new heights.
