Behind the window

How many stories we have told behind the window! We started by chance, by filling a gap and decorating a space, and we ended up traveling to distant countries, soaking up other civilizations, doing interesting jobs, going back in time and dreaming of incredible landscapes. This is how we have experienced our shop windows at Magdalena 14.

Let me tell you. A few years ago, the crisis forced us to close first “El Pequeno Iriarte”, a children's fashion store full of color and joy, and then “By Iriarte”, a diversification of corner stores with the most cutting-edge brands. With both businesses closed, we began to use the premises as a warehouse and we thought it would be a good idea to continue putting up the window as an attraction for The old Iriarte, which is located on the same street, but at number 24. Furthermore, since the crisis began , Oviedo is full of empty, dirty and abandoned stores, sad stores. And we didn't want a sad place or a sad street.

This is how our first sets were born, very basic and simple. We put the first of all in January 2012, on the occasion of Valentine's Day. Later, for almost four years, that large window that overlooks Magdalena Street has been surpassing itself in its stories, in its details, in its evocations, until it has a large group of followers and many passers-by who stop in their tracks. to contemplate what counts. Without notions of window dressing, our creations have been based on the intuition, imagination and enthusiasm that we have put into each one of them. “What are you going to surprise us with now?” they asked us every time they saw us changing the window. “You'll see. "You're going to like it," we predicted with mystery.

We have immersed ourselves in the bottom of the seas, among colorful fish and corals; we have traveled in a balloon through the Sahara desert; We have learned about the customs of the American Indians by living with them in a colorful tippi; We have spent a lovely Christmas in a wooden cabin under the sparkling protection of a warm fire; We have tapped our heels ad nauseum in an Andalusian patio; We have written wonderful stories in an office full of old books and an old typewriter; We have spent fantastic summers touring the wildest beaches in a van to surf; We have played basketball on a court in the New York suburbs or we have sneaked into a fashion design studio, Ali's studio, where we contemplate his sketches and his drawing table.

We have also gone to the opera, a pilgrimage, the London Olympics or a fashion show. There have been more than twenty showcases, trips and stories. Showcases created without knowing about materials, looking for objects in the houses of all the members of the family, with a very tight, if not ridiculous, budget, and made with the collaboration of a few friends. Here we show you a gallery (click to enlarge the images) with photos of some of them.

But some deserve a special mention. Like the tribute we paid to you, to our clients. We created a photocall in the store and got more than ninety of you to pose for our goal. With the images and your first name below, we made a large mural that we placed at the bottom of the window. On the left, our mannequin dressed in a top made of tissue paper and a skirt with a message on it. A message dedicated to you, to how special you are, to how unique and how real you are. And the motto that defines us printed on the window: “In El Antiguo Iriarte our mannequin is you”, and under that “You”, a mirror that reflected the image of whoever was looking.

There were also two award-winning showcases. The first time we entered the Christmas contest organized by the Asturian Federation of Commerce (FAC), we came in first place. It was Christmas 2013 with “The Cabin.” We thought about how the protagonist of our story would spend the holidays if she lived in the mountains, in a humble cabin, far from civilization and shopping centers. She would do it under the protection of the fireplace, she would decorate her tree with objects that she would find in nature or that she would make herself, her gifts would be very humble and made by hand and the packaging would be simple and natural. The following year, our Christmas moon won an award again, this time, second prize. To achieve this, we built a giant bass drum and dressed our mannequin as a San Ildefonso girl. This was the result.

You can't imagine how excited we were to have both awards recognize our work. Although we feel true pride and satisfaction when one of you congratulates us or stops for a few seconds to look at the window. Thank you for following us all this time.

One of the things that we have taken the most care of and that has made our stories so credible has been the details. We have photographed many:

And the great luck we have is that many friends have given us a hand. Andrés Martín and his two daughters, Andrea and Ali, who have posed as models, drawn and built some structures; Carmen Díaz Barroso, childhood friend and a phenomenon in labeling and doing graffiti; Nacho Vela, photographer and author of the clients' mural; Enrique Pinin, a plastic artist who has selflessly painted chimneys, mountains and vans for us and, above all, Martín Almirón, who has believed, supported and helped make most of our crazy ideas come true. We feel very lucky to have your love. And well! We have also given a lot of attention. There are graphic tests.

Alicia Martín in her mini studio.

Carmen Díaz Barroso doing graffiti.

Nini creating the seabed.

The Solís sisters coloring fish.

Enrique Pinin making fire.

Martín Almirón shooting a basket.

Well nothing. All this is relevant because there will be no more creative showcases. We have rented the premises (starting in January there will be a herbal diet store) and have concluded this stage. It has been a real joy. Think, create, improve yourself day by day and tell so many stories. It has made us very happy. Our last showcase seems, without having been created for this purpose, to have been a kind of premonition. A mountain and a secondary road that disappear into the distance and a bike with saddlebags ready to embark on a new adventure. The beginning of a journey, the choice of a path, something that will come. We are not sad, but excited. Until next time!

Tags: creations, Showcase, stories, delusion, prize

11 responses to “Stories behind the window”

1. Laura Diaz Gonzalez via Facebook November 20, 2015I am one of those who always stop to look but now that I know the true history of the place I will do so, appreciating the added merit it has... You always put up spectacular windows!!!

2. Isabel González Acero through Facebook November 20, 2015Ohhhhh. I'm going to miss him. I was waiting for your next scene

3. Ana Costillas Gutierrez via Facebook November 20, 2015

4. how beautiful!!!!

5. Ana Costillas Gutierrez via Facebook November 20, 2015

6. A pleasure to read you, as always

7. Montse Perez Fernandez through Facebook November 20, 2015

8. Good luck in your new adventure!

9. Montse November 20, 2015

10. Good luck in your new adventure.

11. César Inclán through Facebook November 20, 2015

12. What a beautiful text. Best of luck for the new path, for the next adventure.

13. Belen Suarez Garcia via Facebook November 21, 2015

14. Every time we see something done with creativity, it hides much more behind it! And this was the case of your sets, which were the perfect reflection of your “picpireta lives” full of adventures, enthusiasm, worries, dreams… And that you share with your clients, many of them “client friends.”

15. Mari Cruz Rilo Blanco November 22, 2015

16. I rarely passed through Magdalena Street, but when I did I couldn't help but stop to look at your window, honestly without knowing who you were, and I was always impressed, your windows are unique and the originality and affection can be seen in them. What do you put on? Now I know you in person, (because who was going to tell me that I was going to put a herbal diet in your place) and I only have gratitude for you, you have left me a place full of energy and peace, the shop windows are not to be so spectacular, although I hope that Sandra helps me from time to time. Thank you from the heart, you are a sweetheart.

either elantiguoiriarte November 24, 2015

o Thank you for your words, Cruz. It would be nice if a little bit of our good energy had remained in the place. I would like to think so. It is a magical place, with dreamlike views where we were very happy. Of course I'll help you with the windows. I wish you good luck in your new journey and I offer you all our support. A hug.

17. Margarita Alvarez Fernandez through Facebook November 22, 2015

Sandra I love it, you're phenomenal, keep it up darling, try it, you're the best fee