Andalusian designer Carlos Buendía
“Traditional women, at the same time as modern. Women of the port, of the street and of the sea. Women of race, willing to search and find. Flemish pirates or Flemish pirates. Flower-crowned queens, the queens of the south seas.” So are the women of Carlos Buendia and this is reflected in the images of his shirts, already available on his website. In addition to choosing our favourite, 'En el Puerto', we also spoke with the designer from each of the provinces as a source of inspiration and shared with him his essential addresses. In Conde Nast Traveler We're going on a trip to the south.
For Carlos Buendia Jaen It is much more than his house. For him Jaen it is land of olive trees and oil, from the Andalusian Renaissance. “In Jaén, Linares, Úbeda and Baeza art is breathed by the four 'costaos': Andrés Segovia, Carmen Linares, Sebastián Palomo Linares, Raphael...”, affirms the designer. In his town, it is a pleasure to have a beer or a wine in the best company and with the best tapas. In Linares , the Lagartijo Tavern is a place with mythical bullfighting environment in the province where you can have a few beers with a wide variety of tapas. The star: the 'nose' , and the succulent tattered steer . Also in Linares, it is a classic the La Carboneria Tavern , an old coal cellar remodeled with exquisite taste and which is today a place where you can have tapas and enjoy a wide variety of wines and elaborate tapas. "I prefer the Iberian stuffed peppers," he recalls. To sleep, in Úbeda we find the Hotel Palacio de la Rambla, a Renaissance palace transformed into a place of rest that still today preserves all its majesty Y aristocratic character.
Design for the t-shirt 'In the Port'
Let's jump to the Cordova Blackberry and let ourselves be seduced by him Guadalquivir river with its Roman bridge, the Mosque and the Cathedral, the Courtyard of the Orange trees and his women, beautiful par excellence. Drink a wine from Montilla, stroll through the Jewish quarter and come the month of May, contemplate in medina azahara its patios in flower full of history. The art of Julio Romero Torres is for Buendía something really inspiring. Here Buendía tells us about the Hotel Balcón de Córdoba and the Taberna Salinas for tapas and eating.
In Seville , we allow ourselves to be guided by its most baroque facet: the Holy Week , the aroma of incense and orange blossom, the tower of Gold and of course in the Guadalquivir river . Here, with a bridge to Triana, The Giralda , the April Fair with its polka dots and ruffles and streets full of art and energy, it is very easy to want to get lost and dream. “Staying at the El Alma hotel is quite an experience and to eat 'little fish' , I choose El Kiosco de las Flores , in full Triana neighborhood ", the designer assures us.
Design for the 'Flamenco' t-shirt
“ Huelva It is a place of sea and mountains, the neighbor to the south of Portugal, that of Christina Island Y Aracena and that of Isalantilla and Jabugo with their land and sea delicatessen (prawns and ham) . It is a city with centuries of Phoenician and Roman history, the beginning of a journey from the ports of sticks … Quite a discovery”, he recommends and adds: “at Tapas La Pinta you can eat the best fish and to rest I choose La casa Noble, in Aracena”.
In Cadiz everything is art and joy with their comparsas, choirs and chirigotas . It is the land of Flamenco and Island Shrimp . Among its beaches, those of Bolonia, Tarifa and Zahara de los Atunes are wonderful. “Walking through its streets and terraces is a delight, always with a fine wine in good company. If you want to discover what is truly Cadiz , stop by the Casa Manteca Tavern ”, he sentences.
“ Malaga It is sun, sea and white mountain villages. It is a delight to walk through its stately streets, contemplate 'the one-armed' (Málaga Cathedral), walk through its wonderful squares and discover the art of picasso . I would complete the visit by visiting its fishing districts to the sound of verdiales and enjoying a glass of 'Cartojal' at the Bodega Bar el Pimpi. To sleep, a good option is the Room Mate Lola hotel”, the designer tells us.
Design for the 'Marinera' t-shirt
In Grenade , for tapas and good wines, mention the Moon Rare in the neighborhood of Realejo and for the most gourmets, the Palacio de los Patos hospes, an old 19th-century palace that has a lovely garden and Arabic style fonts. Among its essentials in the city are of course the Alhambra, the Candle Tower and the Albaicin , where the mixture of cultures endures. Walk the Walk of the Sad and enjoy gypsy art in the Sacromonte it is a delight for the senses. The icing: the Generalife gardens and its sources.
We end our tour in Almeria , the easternmost province. In it, the designer compiles his favorite places: “its small towns and its Mediterranean beaches are a dream, really magical . For the best tapas, I always choose the Las Botas winery and for the best rest, the Plaza Vieja Hotel & Lounge , in the heart of the historic center of the city next to the Constitution Plaza ”.
Design for the t-shirt 'South Sea'
The 'Regina' t-shirt design