Life

Haute couture and alta cocina collided Thursday night at the Palacio Miramar in San Sebastián. In the city known for its elaborately designed pintxos, three local designers and a lineup of female chefs from the area collaborated in a fashion show that had as much local flavor as a glass of Basque cider and a chuleta steak.

In this, Cook&Fashion’s eighth edition, female designers and chefs were recognized alongside the designer Andrés Sardá. The night’s fashions were creations of Sardá, the lingerie designer from Barcelona, famous for being the first to incorporate elastic into his designs.

Eight female chefs each prepared one plate, inspired by a distinct garment. The designs and the pintxos ranged from classic with a twist to innovative and seductive. Often, the two met in the middle, like with the final dress, a glamorous white full length piece, paired with a dish from the chef of Restaurant Xarma, Aizpea Ohianeder - whipped yogurt dotted with a ball of Idiazabal cheese cream and garlicky, buttery breadcrumbs.

The idea of an homage to women arose from the role of Basque women in the home kitchen.

“This current culinary success has its roots in a rich tradition that has been passed down through the years from mothers to daughters,” said Ramón Vera, one of the program’s organizers. The program is managed by Lourdes Mariño.

In addition to the designs by Sardá, three young designers from the area - Amaia Albes, Las Urtiz, and Leire Laparra - presented a piece inspired by various aspects of dining. “Cuisine can be complex and pleasing, or it can be simple and conquer. Complex fashion inspires passion and basic fashion captivates,” said Albes.

The female chefs included Sonia Tapia (Rest. Gastrobar Solana 4), Itziar Urdangarin (Divinus Catering), Atxen Jiménez (Rest. Túbal), Yolanda León (Rest. Cocinandos), Estibaliz Mekolalde (Rest. Castillo de Arteaga), Charo Zapiain (Rest. Roxario), Pili Manterola (Rest. Iribar), and Aizpea Ohiander (Rest. Xarma).