Spanish luxury-clothing designer Adriana Iglesias is enamoured of travel. Impressing that every destination she’s visited has not only changed her, travel has also lent inspiration to her clothing collections by way of lush fabrics, vibrant colours and exotic prints. Iglesias’s SS16 collection lends itself well to a jet setter’s resort wardrobe with flowing pieces ideal for chic lounges and beachfront destinations on the Côte d’Azur, Caribbean or Aegean islands.

Silks with saturated fronds and delicate blossoms, and elegant dresses as bright white as Oia’s cascading village are not only destination-inspired, but have the ability to transport the wearer to far-flung locales on sight. More than that, Iglesias believes her designs imbue a bit more to the wearer, saying “I am giving them a part of that Mediterranean spirit and strength.”

Your SS16 collection stems from your travels to Corsica, Sardinia and Greece – how did the inspiration from these destinations manifest itself in the clothing?

I breathe the Mediterranean from every pore of my skin and all my collections reflect my personal life – and this includes my travels. The collections are like a story written in line with the different seasons. I recognise myself with each collection and I only design what I would wear myself.

The prints are inspired by this focus on the Mediterranean Sea. I am in love with life, so what I do what comes from the very inside of me. Vibrant colours from nature, such as flowers I can recall in Hvar, Croatia; the intense blue of the sea off the coast of Dubrovnik or Santorini; turquoise from Sardinia, the so-called Emerald Coast. Everything inspires me and I really believe I can give a part of this to the women who wear my pieces.

What stood out to you about these destinations?

I really like the ancient town of Bonifacio in southern Corsica, with its cliffs and fine, white-sand beaches. In Sardinia, Costa Smeralda’s translucent waters and shopping are wonderful as well. It’s amazing to sail around the Croatian islands. Vis – once a military naval base – has an informal atmosphere and taverns with local wine and great seafood. Hvar is also fantastic with its lavender fields and fashionable chill-out bars. And Dubrovnik! When you see it the very first time it’s hard to imagine a place could be so beautiful – the red-roofed baroque buildings and the endless shimmer of the Adriatic – and it is incredible to see that despite the terrible war in 1991, the city has bounced back. If you go you must try Restaurant Nautika.

When I visited Athens for the first time, it was like stepping into an open-air museum with all of its iconic, ancient Grecian monuments, all while merging the past and present. You can shop for great Greek leather sandals in the historic centre as well as beautifully embroidered blouses. If you have the opportunity to sail around, I would recommend the Cyclades, with its famed whitewashed cuboid houses clinging to hillsides above azure bays. The islands are diverse with different cultures and landscapes, and so many things to do: Milos is very quiet; find fun in Mykonos; Naxos has a familiar feeling; and gorgeous Santorini fulfils the Greek-island dream. In Santorini, Chromata Hotel, Mystique, and Grace Santorini each offer fantastic accommodation, and for dinner Kapari is a must-try.

So it sounds like travel is quite important to you?

I cannot imagine a life without travelling. I cannot remember a journey that had not changed me somehow. In life we are either worried about our past or anxious about our future. It is hard to be in the present sometimes. But when you travel, your mind is there because you’re experiencing so much for the first time, and so without any effort you’re present in the moment. You must be open to new cultures, new people, religions or way of life; you’re forced to challenge preconceived ideas, expand your awareness and be introduced to greater diversity. In the end, travel helps us to know ourselves better. And as I put my soul in my work – everything is really coming from me – this is all reflected in my collections. 

Quality fabrics seem to be a cornerstone of your pieces. Where do you like to fabric hunt, and are there any destinations that you haven’t yet been to that you’re keen to visit to do some exotic fabric shopping?

All my fabrics come from Italy: the silk is from Como, and I will be including cashmere in my AW17 collection that comes from Italy, too. It is really a premium quality. I love the colours and fabrics from places like Delhi and Bali, but I see them more for a hippy-chic line or something more casual – but that’s not the style of my collections at the moment.

Your collection will soon be launching in Dubai, so what about your designs would appeal to the Dubai woman and lifestyle?

When I visited Dubai for the first time, I really fell in love with the elegance of women there, and I think my long silk dresses and skirts with floral prints complement that elegance and femininity. I wore one of those maxi skirts in the afternoon in Dubai – I feel  it’s a destination where you can never be overdressed and I love that! In Spain you would only wear it for an event or a special dinner. The collection offers silk basics – baggy pants and “pyjama” looks that are ideal for the Middle Eastern climate. We also have gorgeous evening dresses, some of them with wonderful bespoke jewels, which would work well for all of the red-carpet events in Dubai.

What interesting travel plans do you have lined up for 2016?

I am so busy expanding the brand and the business that all of my travel will be related to that. So, the US (New York, Miami and Los Angeles) is planned for the near future.

What has your favourite luxury-travel experience been?

Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, France is a true garden of Eden in the Mediterranean where privacy, luxury, glamour and charm combine to perfection. No words really do justice to the beauty of this place. And I love that in its boutique you can always find my collections!

What is your must-have travel accessory?

I cannot travel without a pashmina scarf (silk and cashmere), which I need to shield against the air conditioning on flights, and in some malls and hotel lobbies.

Where in the world is your favourite place for shopping?

Now that I have been to Dubai, I must say Dubai Mall. Everything you need or desire is there. It’s like having everything you want to look for in the big cities of the world, but all together.

Are there any destinations left on your bucket list?

My list is as big as the world itself! I visited Tulum, Mexico once but I need more time there – I really need return to find its natural peacefulness, gentle breezes and the hypnotic sounds of waves crashing against the white sand. It offers simple tranquillity and is filled with intimate, eco-friendly beachfront hotels. It’s really great to put your mind to rest. Another is Harbour Island in the Bahamas – maybe because it’s so cold in Europe now, but all I can think of is beaches of white sand and turquoise seas!