Edgar Carrascal: “Barcelona should link fashion and technology”
Colombian by birth, Edgar Carrascal came to Barcelona 15 years ago after a time living and studying in New York. Carrascal, 40, is founding partner of the design and strategy studio for fashion brands Bobo.bliss, which devises strategies for companies that are about to launch or need to refresh their branding. As an entrepreneur, he is also involved in other business ventures and is currently creative director of Cityer.cc, a new mobility and fashion brand for smart cities.
Why did you choose Barcelona?
My plan originally was to study in Milan, but I decided that Barcelona was the best option for courses in the marketing and business sector. It was recommended to me as the perfect city for art and fashion.
What aspects of the city would you highlight as being positive?
The city has a great balance of business and culture, while the high quality public transport makes it easy to get around. It also has an outstanding range of cultural and artistic events. And, finally, it is a maritime and air gateway to the rest of Europe. You can find just about everything you need in Barcelona, as well as people from all around the world; it is truly a global city.
What aspects of the city must be improved? How?
I would like to see fashion play a greater role in public areas in the city. Private companies and institutions could work together to bring fashion culture closer to the street by generating quality events and business spaces for medium-sized companies and entrepreneurs.
What do you think will help the city to overcome the Covid crisis?
Its international appeal, quality of life, and infrastructure. We must take advantage of the fact that the Barcelona brand is still really strong and the city is a gateway to Europe for Latin America. With the great technological progress the city has made, I believe that a commitment to linking the fashion and technology sectors would place it in a competitive position worldwide.
What challenges do you think the city faces once the health emergency is over?
One of the most important challenges is to revitalize the local business fabric. Now is the time to generate new business ideas and export the Barcelona brand.
We must continue to work actively on wage competitiveness, taxation for new businesses, and political stability, a crucial component.
What do you expect from Barcelona in the coming years?
I hope that Barcelona will continue to be a plural city that continues to be open to the world and is able to retain talent. I also hope it consolidates itself as an international business hub for large investors.
Where do you feel most at home? What do you miss the most?
Barcelona has become my home. It welcomed me in and has helped me develop as a professional. I can’t see myself living anywhere else right now. Barranquilla, where I come from, and Barcelona have both made me who I am today. I am very family-oriented, so I miss seeing my nieces and nephews growing up. But whenever I have the chance I do what I can to see them.
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