Francis Montesinos

Montesinos was born in Valencia in 1950 and spent his childhood in "el Carmen", an old and truly representative quarter of this Mediterranean city. He began his academic training at the city's Art School, where he qualified in Interior Decorating and Design. In the early 60s, his creative interests led him to turn the long-standing family business into a decorating studio. It was at this stage that he first came into contact with fashion and design.

In May 1968, pop music was making its mark all over the world, and the Ibiza phenomenon had a profound impact on the creativity of Francis Montesinos.

In 1972 he opened his first shop in Valencia, wich caught the interest of the Spanish society and led them to start frequenting the newly established fashion house outlet in search of a decidedly new and genuine style. Montesinos became a new way of communicating.

His first major fashion show was in Barcelona, in 1978, in which he paid tribute to black and red. Since the late 1970s he has been a constant presence on the Spanish catwalks in Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia.

Montesinos has also been involved in a series of other activities. In 1991, for example, he designed the Snoopy calendar. In 1995 he created the costumes for the work entitled Gitano , performed by the Antonio Canales Dance Company. In 1999 he paid a visit to the Ananda Dansa dance company. That same year he was also appointed wardrobe manager for the University of Altea in Alicante and presented his collection of work clothes for Actex.

During the year 2000 he designed the costumes for the Cuban National Ballet's world premiere of Swan Lake. He also designed the costumes worn by the prima ballerina María Jiménez in Blanco and Negro. His involvement in the art world continued with his costume designs for Homenaje a K, Toda una vida, Borgia imperante or Castrati, performed by the Spanish National Dance Company.

Montesinos has also shown an interest in the jewellery sector. In 1999 he presented the Montesinos Jewellery collection with Juan Varela Joyeros, from Menorca. His Espíritu de Montesinos perfume first appeared on the market in the year 2000.

The designer has created the first collection of First Communion dresses in collaboration with Marla Espana S.A.

In october 2006, it arrived Francis Montesinos finishing touch to his 35 years career when he was awarded "Medalla de Oro al Mérito de las Bellas Artes" which he recieved from Juan Carlos I, King of Spain. This award is granted to people and entities which stand out in the field of artistic and cultural creation, or which have been involved in the promotion and development of arts and culture.

Once again, Francis Montesinos has been involved in te creation of the wardrobe of a Dance company "ANANDA DANSA", which celebrates its 25 years in the artistic world.