When I think of Spain I think of beaches, beautiful people, colours, rich smells, fabulous food and strong drinks.

Cities like Barcelona, Madrid and San Sebastian are historic cities steeped in culture. Importantly to us, they are home to some of the most fashion forward people and brands in Europe.

We highlight two very different Spanish fashion brands that are taking the world by storm.

Desigualunique and individual

Based in Barcelona, Desigual is an urban Spanish streetwear brand known for its colourful patchwork and graphic designs.

Offering original fashion at a reasonable price, the brand prides itself on its youthful, happy and fun image and has almost doubled its growth since 2002. Desigual’s tagline, ‘atypical since 1984’, easily sums up the brand; it’s unique and colourful stuff that you won’t find anywhere else.

Think American Apparel on acid – lots of basics with the volume dial turned up to high. Women’s tops, dresses and coats are a riot of pattern and colour.

They’re unique and individual and sure to help you stand out in a sea of black. Desigual dresses are the perfect trans-seasonal item; paired with or without tights, they will easily see you through a psychotic season of spring weather. For men, shirts are a celebration of bright patchwork and perfect for the upcoming season of barbeques and parties.

It’s refreshing to see a brand bringing colour and pattern back into menswear.

T-shirts and coats feature graphic designs that are interesting but not over the top, and their sweaters are a revelation – a far cry from the boring selection of hoodies guys can choose from here at home. See more at www.desigual.com

Zarafast and furious fashion

Zara is a fashion phenomenon. It is part of Inditex, a fashion super power that owns a stable of brands, including Pull & Bear and Bershka.

Zara offers its male and female customers affordable versions of current, popular and high-end fashion. And it does it quick – at Zara, new stock arrives in stores every week. It’s a fashion victim’s dream come true.

Zara produces a whopping 11,000 distinct garments each year and the company controls every aspect of design, production and distribution, saving time and money, and creating ‘instant fashion’.

It’s a model that is working very well in today’s economy. While it might be sounding like a kind of evil fashion Microsoft, it’s good to know that Zara operates under a sustainable framework; it has eco-friendly stores, recycling programs and uses sustainable and organic fabrics.

If Witchery, Country Road, Top Shop, Jigsaw and French Connection (and a few other brands) had an uber fashionable and super-stylish baby together, it would be called Zara.

Unlike Desigual, which caters for those who want unique and individual looks, Zara is the place for those who want up-to-the-minute fashion in a flash. If you live in Europe you can buy online, but for the rest of us, we’ll have to wait until Zara hits our shores in 2011.

See more at www.zara.com.au