The 8 Ball: José Luis Bartolomé and Albert Escribano
Evocative of a Mediterranean beach holiday. A patchwork of Summer memories. The individual hand of an artisan. Traditions reimagined. Nostalgia. José Luis Bartolomé and Albert Escribano returned to their Mediterranean roots to found HEREU. Crafted in Spain, their work is physically rooted in the Mediterranean landscape and the individual hand of the artisan is always the starting point for every design. Meet HEREU.
How did HEREU start?
HEREU started back in 2014, being SS15 the first season of the brand. The project was created from a nostalgic desire of appreciation of our Spanish roots after many years immersed in the cultural mix of London and Paris.
What about the name HEREU? What does it mean?
HEREU is a Catalan word that means ''heir'', a person who continues the work of a predecessor. What we intend is to continue the work of skilled leather artisans using their traditional techniques on modern and functional designs.
What is new for Spring Summer 2021?
The Spring / Summer 2021 & Resort 2021 collections spring from a patchwork of Summer memories, both past and present, and reimagined for the future. Elements throughout the collection evoke strong feelings of Mediterranean beach holiday; a bag inspired by an inflatable beach ball, a bag closure is a version of a vintage seaside kiss-lock purse, new sandals are based on jelly shoes, or with a “scrunchie” detail repurposed for 2021.
Can you tell us about your design process?
All HEREU pieces are handmade in the most conscious way, engaging not just local traditions but the individual hand of artisans crafting them locally in Spain, upholding and supporting artisanal techniques whilst reinterpreting them through our personal language.
You note that HEREU is crafted in Spain and also physically rooted in the Mediterranean landscape. Can you tell us more about this relationship?
Being crafted in Spain, our work is physically rooted in the Mediterranean landscape and the individual hand of the artisan is always the starting point for every design. We reinterpret these artisanal traditions through a personal language influenced by the region’s distinct mix of high art, folk tradition and popular culture.
What HEREU item do you find yourself wearing lately?
The new silhouette CRANC, part of the "FOR ALL" Collection.
Do you have someone in mind when you are designing?
Our collections spring from a patchwork of memories and images, both past and present, and reimagined for the future.
Who or what is keeping you going or inspiring you?
The Mediterranean has long been the inspiration for some of the greatest visual artists of the last hundred years. We reimagine this legacy to create designs that evoke a nostalgia for Mediterranean Spain.
