Sinpatron, the firm of the old town that does not follow the rules and turns fashion into fun

María Calvo

In the medieval framework of the seven streets, right next to the Cathedral of Santiago, there is a corner that has always been linked to the fashion world.Many nostalgic will still remember the San Ignacio stores, a traditional battery and baby clothing store located on Calle Carnicería Vieja 20.Now, behind a solemn showcase that encloses the charm of the architecture of yesteryear, a very personal place that continues to keep the spirit of sewing,."I keep the old sign and the bell continues to open the door," says Alberto Etxebarrieta, a 'rare avis' in the fashion world that, by conviction, prefers to go against the countercurrent of the frantic industry today.This Bilbao of recognizable image founded his own signature by chance, without pretensions and with the sole purpose of having fun.Thus, Sinpatron was born 15 years ago.

But as they say, coincidences do not exist.After studying tourism almost by paternal obligation and trying luck in artistic disciplines such as sculpture, photography or comic, fate had a place to work between dummy, fabrics, thread coils and sewing machines.

Alberto acknowledges with a laugh that began in this "making the crapula".He had his first foray into Modorra, an independent fashion -fashion Bilbao catwalk in which he presented a collection made with tissues as unusual as shower curtains.That fortuitous proposal, together with some inherited influences of its passage through London and Edinburgh in the 90s, laid the foundations of what is now unapatron.Alberto learned his trade in a self -taught way, shaping his designs on a mannequin and disregarding previous patterns, hence the name of the firm.This also refers to the creative freedom of the fact of not having bosses, not having 'patterns' that cut your wings when creating."I depend on me and only on me, that's the good and bad".And all, highlighting the 'perfect imperfection' of the human being who has also wanted to capture in the way of writing 'Sinpatron': without 'm', without tilde and without separation between words.Alberto's universe is so coherent that, in addition, he baptized all his collections with the prefix 'without' (synthesis, sympholchlore ...).And we talked in the past, because he realized that the design of imposition and as he dictates the industry calendar did not go with him.

The two vital stages of Sinpatron

During the first years, Alberto stroked the most frivolous slope of fashion.He made two annual collections and presented them on different catwalks such as Off Cibeles, Ego CMFW or Who´s Next of Paris.In addition, he won the Best Designer Award at the Bencassim International Festival and the best male collection in Bizkaia Creamoda.Fully in this maelstrom, he came to present the same collection up to eight times.«I burned.There came a time when I said 'it's over' '.Since then, simply and plainly, he began working being faithful to his principles.«I have a very honest approach.I have not sold anyone or anything, ”he acknowledges.Something worth admiring in the times that run.

His work is characterized by experimentation, always highlighting artisanal work in the face of serial production of garments.His designs are not classic, neither necessarily modern or difficult.«My garments are easy for those who want to make them easy.The natural and the authentic is very easy to defend ».He acknowledges that he enjoys creating higher pieces such as coats or jackets and puts special care in the quality of his raw material.Whenever you can, Alberto is supplied with the stock and the best fabrics he finds in the local Biscayan trade.Certain licenses are also allowed."Once I bought a lady about 50 tablecloths and the poor did not understand anything".And either he does not care that they are the curtains of a hamlet or the fabrics of a table-camilla, he wants to continue playing with fashion without losing his soul as a child.His mischief with a certain thug point took him for years to design a wedding dress with the fabric of a parachute recovered from World War II."It was an allegory, in case it crashed in marriage".Alberto acknowledges that he loves to get smiles and we refer to the tests.

People who cross the threshold of their boutique are those who seek difference, who dress for them outside the trends, who buy head and that still value unique pieces and artisanal work.Best of all, whoever proves, repeats."To my atelier come from 50 or 60 -year -old ladies to the most modern boys of 30".In addition, he also commissioned the artistic world.One of his last collaborations has been to create the costumes of the musical and theatrical work 'mastodonte', which stars with great success the Bilbao Asier Etxeandia.

The media wanted to lock fashion in a pretentious way, however, Alberto Sinpatron flees from that stereotyped image of the star designer.He is considered 'very normal, very his family, his friends and his partner' and firmly believes that the industry has a lot to rectify and apologize '.At the moment, he will follow his convictions, giving away smiles, generating social awareness, reinventing nostalgic garments and devising new genius.Everything, with his heartmail Nietzsche always about his lap-salvo when he is with the sewing machine because 'he does not like'- and from a friendly, relaxed and diverse atelier where everyone is welcome.