After three decades as creative director of her eponymous label, Spanish-born Purificación García has perfected the art of knowing what women want, as we found out in MOJEH Issue 36. With an artistic eye that extends to authoring the book Tener Estilo and establishing the prestigious Purificación García Photography Prize, García is an eternally contemporary Renaissance woman.
Interview by Natalie Trevis
On the art of getting dressed: A woman should have clothes in her closet that are coherent and easy, things that work together so that it is not difficult for her to choose an outfit for the day. I try to help women not to see their wardrobe as their enemy: The versatility of the garments and the coexistence of classic and trendy achieve a balanced wardrobe.
On cultivating style: She has to be herself, first of all. The simpler, the better. Choose what you like –whether a strong jacket or a dress – it’s important to choose something that makes you unique. I do not like definitions. I find the real female more interesting, with her contradictions, her changes of mind and weaknesses, which after all are sides of her wonderful complexity.
On what to avoid: Everything in excess. Whether it’s makeup or jewellery, everything should be simple.
On style influences: Since I was young, I have been autodidactic. I like to wear my own line. I consider myself a stylist who knows her business and the needs of the street.
On art: It is very important that art and fashion always work together. There is a momentum – they come from the same information, from the same details.
On photography: I have worked with photographers Chema Madoz and Juan Gatti. We work a lot with poetic photographs and a poetic philosophy. I like black and white photography so much because it is neutral, you can express whatever you feel, including the feeling of the brand.
On life lessons: I have faced a lot of rocky paths along my journey. The most important thing is to get up again and keep going. You have to learn from it.
On women around the world: Whether she is from Germany, China or Japan, the feeling of the woman is the same. Women need the right clothes at the right moment. We live very quickly and need clothes to pack, travel and go.
On the most stylish woman: There are lots, but Angelina Jolie. She is very stylish and elegant.
On daily dressing: For me, I have a very casual style. I wear sneakers and jackets that I can work in.
On the Middle East: It was very important for me to bring the brand to the Middle East, as it is the centre of the world. All brands are available in Dubai: It’s global. And, the Emirates are great for art.
On success: I am not interested in fashion as a privilege of the few. Success is not measured only by who wears your clothes, but by how many wear them.
On a philosophy for life: Time is my luxury – to spend with my kids, with my dog and to listen to music. Finding a balance is very important.
