The emblematic Fàbrica Ramis, in Inca, dressed up for the grand finale of the fifth edition of Mallorca Design Day (MDD), an event that consolidated the commitment to creativity, design and innovation. Under this year’s slogan, “Craft Intelligence”, Lola, the virtual assistant and image of the festival, welcomed the audience. She was followed by the renowned journalist and presenter Isabel Jiménez, in charge of leading a memorable evening full of unique moments. Among the attendees were Alejandro Sáenz de San Pedro, Minister of Enterprise, Employment and Energy of the Balearic Islands Government, and Virgilio Moreno, Mayor of Inca, host city of the event, as well as other authorities, institutions and representatives of the companies sponsoring MDD.
Food Design, a fusion of gastronomy, design and creativity
The first part of the gala was dedicated to food design, a discipline that unites gastronomy, design, sustainability and technology. Through the screening of the Food Design Film, guests traveled to four outstanding culinary enclaves on the island, starring renowned chefs: Giovanni Chiodi (Mar de Nudos), José Cortés (Treurer), José Miguel García Pellegrino (Katagi Blau) and Riccardo Di Loreto (Nudos Atelier Sexy Kitchen). Each of the four culinary creations they presented will be available in the participating restaurants for one month.
Honorary Awards: recognition of excellence
One of the most emotional moments of the evening was the presentation of the MDD Honorary Awards. Roberto Verino, Lázaro Rosa-Violán and Tomás Alía were awarded in the categories of Fashion, Interior Design and Promotion of Craftsmanship, respectively. MDD thus recognizes their excellence, national and international trajectory and contribution to the world of fashion, interior design and the promotion of craftsmanship, where they have established themselves as undoubted sources of inspiration.
The award winners expressed their gratitude for receiving such distinctions in a place so linked to design and tradition as Mallorca.
Fashion shows and National Fashion Awards
Fashion became another highlight of the evening with the fashion shows of all the emerging designers recognized in the framework of the MDD National Fashion Awards. Opening the catwalk was Aina Bennasar Collado, special mention of this edition, with her collection Liquen. Inspired by lichens, she uses natural fabrics such as silk and wool, combined with artisanal techniques such as crochet and porcelain. All this evokes the expansion of lichens and their invisible connections. Transparencies and layers generate a second skin effect, fusing tradition and innovation.
Aina Bennasar received her award from Rafael Brunet, General Director of Music and Performing Arts of the Palma City Council.
After her, it was the turn of the three Balearic runners-up: Milla Kaplan González and her Fragments, which pays tribute to Ibizan artist Rafael Tur Costa and his artistic evolution through textures and colors; Aida Quetglas Colom and her Indigo collection, which combines the history of denim as a symbol of female empowerment with the transformative impact of AI in fashion; and Gemma Sintes and her Múdate collection, with a Kafkaesque essence and inspired by changes, adaptation and the creation of a new being.
The three collected their awards from Pilar Amate, Councilor for Economic Promotion and Local Development; Marco Táboas, Island Director of Tourism of Mallorca; and Virgilio Moreno, Mayor of Inca.
The catwalk was closed by the brand new winner of the Mallorca Design Day National Fashion Award, Verónica Lagares Gonzáles from Málaga with her collection Project Synthia. Her proposal explores the integration of AI in fashion with the aim of empathizing with the Z generation. Through a dystopian narrative, she imagines a future where the thin line that separates humanity from technology becomes increasingly tenuous. It combines robotic aesthetics and artificial intelligence with an emotional approach to create an innovative and conceptually enriching collection.
Verónica received her statuette from the Conseller d’Empresa, Ocupació i Energia del Govern de les Illes Balears, Alejandro Sáenz de San Pedro; and Modesto Lomba, president of the Asociación de Creadores de Moda de España.
National Interior Design and Landscape Architecture Awards
The event also served to unveil the two winning projects in MDD’s National Interior Design and Landscape Design Awards, the latter being a great novelty this year. The National Interior Design Award went to Belén Sánchez López, from Madrid, for her project Redes & Raíces, which presents an innovative concept to address the loss of quality in human relations and the growing social disconnection of today. Inspired by the art of weaving, it seeks to give new meaning to “social networks” by transforming them into a tangible experience, fusing them with one of the most human and sociable activities: sharing a meal. Conceived as a cafeteria, the design of this space is inspired by traditional looms, where threads were intertwined to form unique patterns and textures.
The award was presented by Bernat Blanes, CEO of Worldlight; and Cecilia Sagrera, director of Aquaquae.
The National Landscaping Award went to Belén Martínez Balagué, from Mataró, and her project Ca l’Íria. This landscape design seeks to integrate the garden into the local Mediterranean landscape, respecting its surroundings and creating a harmonious residential space. Only native species of the Mediterranean coastline have been chosen, with special emphasis on the vegetation of the immediate area of the project. The design strategy aims to create a pleasant and functional space, generating a positive impact on the ecosystem, promoting biodiversity and reducing maintenance by selecting species adapted to the local climate.
The award was presented by Iñaki Viñuela, president of the Spanish Association of Landscape Architects, and Lourdes Vázquez, director of Jardins de Tramuntana.
All the statuettes were designed by the Balearic artist Lolo Garner.
A party to celebrate design and talent
The founder and director of the festival, Raquel Arañón, concluded the gala by highlighting the remarkable growth of Mallorca Design Day, an event that began with a single day and which, in its fifth edition, is now extending to four days dedicated to different design disciplines. MDD has established itself as a firm commitment to creativity and emerging talent, serving as a platform to encourage designers in their first steps and placing Mallorca as the epicenter of design at national and international level.
The evening concluded with a lively party at the Fàbrica Ramis, where Lady.dijey put rhythm to the night and Foodandfriends offered a catering that fused creativity and style. An experience designed to honor the future of design and the perfect harmony between tradition and avant-garde.
The 5th edition of the MDD festival was held from March 18 to 21, 2025 with an agenda full of conferences, round tables, product exhibitions, fashion shows and other events focused on the universe of design. Interior design, architecture, landscaping, fashion and food design have become, for a few days, the main protagonists of the island, with actions in the cities of Palma and Inca.
The 5th edition of MDD has the support of different institutions, such as ACME (Asociación de Creadores de Moda de España); the Conselleria d’Empresa, Ocupació i Energia del Govern de les Illes Balears; the Institut Balear de la Joventut (IBJOVE), belonging to the Conselleria de Famílies i Afers Socials del Govern de les Illes Balears; the Fundació Mallorca Turisme (Consell de Mallorca); the City Councils of Palma and Inca; and the Design Institute of Spain (D! OS); as well as with the sponsorship of Jardins Tramuntana, Aquaquae, Worldlight, aProperties, Autovidal, Cosentino, Actiu, Minimal Studio, AICO, 353 Arquitectes, Coca Cola, Gaggenau, Keragres and Red Mexicana de Interioristas. In this edition, the festival has Meliá Hotels & Resorts as its host partner.
These partners and sponsors play a fundamental role, providing resources and collaborations that enrich the experience and projection of MDD.