Loreak: A Hint of Scandinavian Fashion in the Heart of Basque Country

Loreak Pre-SS19 collection. Image: Loreakmendian.com

Loreak Mendian, now often referred to a s simply Loreak, was founded in 1995 in the Basque city of San Sebastian by Victor Serna and Xabi Zirikiain. Neither of the creators of the brand had experience in fashion design, however they both felt the need to manifest their love and appreciation for their home of the Basque country, consequently, Loreak Mendian was born.

After over 20 years in business, Loreak Mendian has grown into one of the most prominent, alternative fashion brands in Spain, and they are one of the few Spanish brands with a true international presence, with stores throughout Spain, France and England. The range of clothing has grown in parallel with the label's expansion, as they solely produced T-shirts in 1995, however Loreak now boasts full Men's and Womenswear lines.

Loreak Mendian's original logo (circa 1995) pictured on the left. Loreak Mendian's original store in San Sebastian pictured in the middle. Loreak's current logo is pictured on the far right) (Images sourced from bascography and autologymotors.com)

Loreak Mendian's aesthetic has changed drastically since there mid 1990's inception. The difference in design aesthetic can clearly be noted when comparing Loreak's original logo, with their current one (both are pictured in the gallery above). In addition to the logo re-design, the current shopping experience in Loreak retail locations is a stark contrast to the original, surf board shop shopping experience. However, the most important and noticeable evolution that Loreak has undergone can be seen in the design of their clothing. Loreak's early collections provided a much more literal reflection of the Basque culture, as they heavily featured graphic t-shirts and swimming shorts. However, as the brand aged, their interpretation of basque clothing became less literal. That's not to say that the label has forgotten their basque roots, as they produce collections full of waterproof materials, and heavy knits, perfect for the temperate and chilly climate of northern Spain.

As a result of the label's adoption of a minimal aesthetic, focused on small pops of colors, cuts of garments and materials. As it so happens, many of these design elements are also shared by Scandinavian brands such as Acne Studios. Whether these similarities were born out of coincidence or intention is up to debate, but the similarities are undeniable (Loreak even has their own iteration of the classic Acne Studios Face Logo). However, while Loreak's design inspiration is clear, they are able to put their own spin on Scandinavian fashion, thus giving customers a unique product, at a competitive price point.

Acne Studios Fall Winter 2019 Collection is pictured (left) in comparison with Loreak's Fall Winter 2019 collection (right). (Photos sourced from loreakmendian.com and acnestudios.com)

Loreak Mendian serves as an incredibly important brand in the landscape of Spanish fashion, as the presence of Inditex is becoming more and more oppressive for independent Spanish brands. In this landscape, a brand such as Loreak gives customers a chance to stand out and express themselves by dressing in a way that corporate fashion does not offer. Loreak serves both as an entry level brand into Scandinavian fashion, and as an expression of Spanish individualism.

Follow Loreak on Instagram Here: @LoreakOfficial

Find Loreak in Spain in San Sebastián