Queen Letizia once again wore black to the ceremony at the Teatro Campoamor, as she has done since 2021, but this time the color was of little importance. Her new dress is made from PYRATEX circ lyocell 3, a fabric developed in Madrid by the Spanish company PYRATEX using reclaimed textiles and wood pulp. In other words, part of what the Queen was wearing has been given a second life.
The design, featuring long sleeves and a rounded neckline, is distinguished by the draping of the bodice. Diagonal pleats cross the bust, adding volume without the need for embroidery or embellishments. The waist is defined, and from there emerges a long skirt that widens toward the hem, featuring a subtle front slit that became visible as she walked.
What is Queen Letizia’s dress made of?
The fabric is a fine knit in which 30% of the cellulose comes from recycled textiles and 70% from wood pulp, resulting in a final composition of 100% lyocell. To achieve this, PYRATEX has been collaborating with Circ for three years. Circ’s technology separates cotton from polyester in blended fabrics and recovers the cellulose to produce a new fiber. It might sound technical, but it solves one of fashion’s major problems, since most clothing is made from blended fibers, which makes recycling them much more difficult.
Interestingly, according to the company, the material was the starting point for the dress. Its drape, feel, and structure guided the fittings and tailoring adjustments, which explains the exceptionally fluid movement that was evident on the blue carpet.
Who’s behind PYRATEX?
The company was founded in Madrid in 2018 and, according to its press release, works with fashion houses such as Dior, Balenciaga, Celine, Balmain, Alaïa, Loewe, and Rick Owens. Last June, it received the Innovation and Sustainability Award from the Spanish Fashion Academy for PYRATEX solea, a project aimed at rebuilding a supply chain for Spanish cotton. Here’s the key reason why this look is generating so much buzz.
For years, Letizia has used her wardrobe to shine a spotlight on the Spanish industry. This time, she’s gone a step further than simply mentioning a brand name, highlighting textile research that we almost never get to see. The message aligns with the company’s stated goal: to demonstrate that a recycled material can offer the softness and finish expected of luxury products.
The look’s gold accessories
To counterbalance the understated look of black, the Queen chose gold accessories. She carried a structured, metallic gold clutch from the Turkish brand Begüm Khan and wore Magrit slingback pumps in the same shade, featuring an open heel and delicate straps across the instep. She completed the outfit with new, oversized earrings and her Coreterno ring.
In photos, the look seems like just another one of her black dresses in Oviedo, but in reality, it’s probably the most striking of them all.