MAYDAY revisits the mythology of the American Dream to question the narratives of prosperity, identity and power that have shaped contemporary culture. Blending fashion, social critique and sustainability, the collection invites viewers to look beyond nostalgia and uncover the contradictions hidden beneath its promises.
MayDay
IED Madrid – Student: Barbara Maroto
Academic year
2025-2026
MAYDAY is a collection that takes the construction of the American Dream as its starting point, questioning the political, social and aesthetic mechanisms that have sustained one of the defining myths of contemporary culture.
Drawing inspiration from mid-twentieth-century America, the designer explores the gap between the promise of prosperity and the realities concealed beneath it. References such as The Wizard of Oz, 1950s television and the figure of Lucille Ball intertwine with fashion to create a visual narrative in which nostalgia becomes a tool for critical reflection.
The collection reinterprets classic American design codes through a contemporary lens, combining precise pattern cutting, textile experimentation and recycled materials. The development of bespoke fabrics, together with the reuse of plastic bottles and aluminium cans transformed into decorative elements, reinforces a proposal committed to both innovation and sustainability.
MAYDAY reflects on the stories we inherit and the images that shape our understanding of success, identity and belonging. An invitation to look beyond appearances and discover the cracks hidden beneath society's greatest ideals.
Bárbara Maroto is a student on the Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Design.
