Today marks a moment to discuss fashion as the Chamber Business Club hosts its inaugural gathering of the year, with its president taking the spotlight as the designer Agatha Ruiz de la Prada graces the event as a featured guest.
The lively venue at Petímetre became a hub of style, with navy blue and gray tones dominating the guest list. Among the notable attendees were Fernando Canos, the Eastern regional manager for Banco Sabadell; the organizer Rafael Regalado; Andrés Sevila, the Chamber of Commerce secretary; Ignacio Amirola, president of Ineca; Rafael Blanquer, general manager of the Port Hotels Chain. One guest admitted hesitating to wear a darker tie due to photograph considerations, a moment of self-awareness nobody would soon forget. The identity remains undisclosed, but the remark hinted at a livelier fashion sense for future appearances.
There were a few exceptions that stood out. Jesus Navarro looked impeccable in an olive green jacket paired with a matching vest and shoes. Hector del Barrio, who leads RG Forty, chose a modern checked jacket without sharp color contrasts. Ivan L. Sempere, Padima’s CEO, opted for a plaid suit complemented by a burgundy patterned scarf. It required a close look to spot more color details, which surfaced in the quirky cartoon socks worn by the former owner of Goldcar, Juan Alcaraz.
Agatha herself dressed in her signature palette: fuchsia as the dominant hue, a skirt adorned with white stars, glossy tights, and cat-faced flat loafers. She finished the outfit with a two-tone bag featuring a heart lock, a key element of her professional DNA, and bright yellow glasses that echoed the rainbow tones of the ensemble.
The room sent a wave of admiration toward the designer, who first showcased his collection at age twenty. Besides the vibrant palette, neutral tones appeared less frequently among the attendees. Maria Jesus Arias of Vectalia added flair to a solemn blue coat by pairing it with a colorful scarf. Main Ponsoda, regional director for Alicante Centro of Sabadell, wore black and white, while Oksana Peresadko and Pilar Carrillo remained in grey. María José Rocamora, CEO of Alicante Urbana, appeared in camel and navy, maintaining a restrained elegance.
Honorable exceptions joined Eva Toledo, Alicante’s Chairman of the Board, who shone in bright blue, and 12tv’s CEO Laura Rodríguez, who stood out in striking red. The Tourism Counselor wore white, with Main Poquet and entrepreneur Ana Aranda adding subtle contrasts. The overall effect was a tapestry of professional attire that highlighted individuality within a respectable dress code.
During the remarks, the towels and medical garments designer discussed a portfolio that spans baby items, apparel, and more than five hundred licenses. Sustainability and reuse emerged as central themes in the discourse. He even recounted wearing a T-shirt until it ripped, then reusing the fabric to dust and declutter—an anecdote that underscored a practical approach to fashion and waste reduction.
Attendees included Cesar Quintanilla, managing director of Laboratorios Q Pharma; Natalia Caballe, responsible for image and communications at Servigroup Hotels; Eva Miñano, director of MGWines Marketing and Communications; a lawyer and businessman David J. Devesa; Miguel Pertusa, corporate business center director; Ramon Pujol, Mapfre’s Alicante-Murcia regional manager; lawyer Juan Antonio Botella; Pablo and Débora Garrigos of Turrones Garrigós; and entrepreneur Manuel Ferry, among others.
In a surprising moment, the designer revealed that clothes ordered online for at-home try-ons and subsequently returned often end up in textile landfills. A marketing expert explained that ultra-low-cost retailers struggle to refurbish returned garments, while higher-tier retailers can reprocess returns responsibly. The takeaway was clear: consumers can still shop from familiar brands online, try items at home, and return them in good condition without contributing to environmental harm. A small relief, yet a meaningful push toward mindful consumption.