Spain - Moda Espanola, Manuel Pertegaz 2010

Issue date: 15 October 2010

Stamping: Huecograbado con microrelieve

Paper: Estucado, engomado, fosforescente

Perforated: 13 ¼ (horizontal) y 12 ¾ (vertical)

Size of the Stamps: 28,8 x 49,8 mm. (verticales)

Block sheet size: 105,6 x 150 mm. (vertical)

Face value of the stamps: 0,34 €

Edition: 300.000

With this souvenir sheet devoted to the famous couturier Manuel Pertegaz, the Spanish fashion series recalls one his most prominent designers.

Manuel Pertegaz was born in Olbaid (Teruel). The exact date of his birth is kept secret but it is said to date back to 1917. At the age of 10 his family moved to Barcelona and two years later he began working as an apprentice in a tailor’s shop. He soon discovered his interest in women's fashion and in 1942 he opened his first couture workshop in Barcelona. On that same year he presented his first collection characterized by an elegant and original style to which he has remained true throughout his long career. In 1948 he opened a store in Madrid and in 1954 presented his haute couture in the U.S. and in the best stores in New York, Boston, Atlanta and Philadelphia. He was awarded the “Couture Oscar“ by Harvard University. Three years later he presented his collections in Cairo, Venice, London, Santiago de Chile and Copenhagen. On that same year, on the sudden death of Christian Dior, he was offered to take over the Parisian firm but he declined the job in order to continue in Spanish couture. In the 60s he gained recognition in international shows and trade fairs in Mexico and New York, where critics highlighted the originality of his creations. The arrival of prêt-à-porter in the 70s is easily taken on by the designer who combines it with haute couture fashion.

Throughout his career, Pertegaz has received many awards, including the Gold Medal from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, the Medal for the Promotion of Decorative Arts, The Gold Medal for Artistic Merit by the City of Barcelona, The National Award for Design and Fashion, and the honorary Golden Needle, undoubtedly the most prestigious award in Spanish fashion. In 2004 he was commissioned the design and manufacture of the wedding dress of the Princess of Asturias.

The souvenir sheet depicts the following pieces over a pink background: a wedding dress in polka dot ivory silk, with a boat neck and Japanese sleeves; a skirt suit of light grey taffeta and silver lamé threads with lapels, a collar, turned up cuffs and flaps over the pockets; a taffeta cocktail dress with floral print a round neck at the front and V-neck at the back and finally a black lace cocktail dress with floral bouquets over a white satin background. The garments are part of the funds of the Museo del Traje in Madrid.