The bulk of Spanish designers dress the most conservative of classes-the cast of Hola! Magazine basically-but on the fashion circuit, Josep Font has been an indisputable name in Spain committed to using an international fashion language. Often mentioned alongside institutional names like Sybilla (the Spanish Geoffrey Beene), Font has been a player on the Barcelona design scene for more than 17 years. Internationally he has just opened a store in Paris to begin marketing his name outside of his homeland. He mixes traditional romantic flamenco style with acid greens and yellows, two favourite colors, to create sassy, feminine, dramatically wearable looks. Known for intricate patterns, elaborate embroideries, and masterful use of color, he proudly lives up to his heritage flexing his fiery pastiche on the world fashion scene. Too bad Louis Vuitton has already secured JLo for their Fall 2003 campaign (oops! I’m not sure that information is out yet), because she would saddle into Font’s creations quite nicely.

- Nina Blomfield