I can't believe I totally forgot about this last post of my trip to Granada series, which was almost eight months ago. As the July date for my final thesis project approached, everything turned into a blur and I was forced to leave everything including the blog so I could finish. But here I am now!

When visiting Granada, one of the MUST things to do is to go to La Alhambra and spend at least half a full day wandering around. For those of you who may not know, La Alhambra is the architectural palace and fortress complex which was built around AD 890, and one of the most visited touristic places in Spain and all Europe. It's one of the places where it's hardest to get tickets if you don't buy them within a few weeks in advance, too. There are different kinds of tickets: one to get into the Nasri Palaces, and a different one to get into the Generalife and La Alcazaba. Both options are majestic and very interesting to visit and experience, but if you have to choose between only one, I would pick the Nasri Palaces. My friend and I didn't pick this option as we already had visited them a few times before and wanted to visit the remaining buildings (Generalife is a sort of Summer Palace, and La Alcazaba is mainly a fortification complex). We basically strolled around the gardens, took some pictures in the Charles the Fifth Palace (which contains Granada's Fine Arts Museum) and had a home-made sandwich and some fruits before entering the buildings. If you rather visit the Nasri Palaces, you may get your tickets a few weeks before your visit or you might lose your chance.

As the weather tricked my friend and me, there were days in Granada when we were about to freeze although wearing coats and knits, and other days, like this in our visit to La Alhambra were we sweated like it was Summertime (although it was barely mid-March!). So, my advice here is that, if you're traveling anywhere in Andalusia or the South of Spain and you're not traveling from November to February (when it's actually COLD) better check the weather report and carry a little bit of everything to layer up.

On another subject, I would like to know what kind of content are you interested in reading here at Something Fashion? Maybe you're more into traveling and living abroad posts? Or you prefer brand collaborations and fashion hauls? Or are you more into the "Behind the design" section? I would love to hear your opinions and points of view in a comment down below, or in my Instagram profile!

The subject of packaging is a separate chapter... The headbands are packaged first in a white velvet bag (also made by my hands), then I add a silk ribbon as a tie and my logo. All this is packed in tissue paper and inside a hatbox.

Does the material (texture, print, color) choose the shape and finish of the headband? Is it something more aesthetic, or something more technical?

In general, I get carried away by the season. If it is Autumn, the colors which prevail are black, olive orange, cappuccino. As for textures: velvet, micro velvet, leather... In the Summer, of course, it is a party full of colors, shapes, and materials. However, the main material of all my headbands is silk. As for preliminary ideas, I study trends and on this basis, I usually make a model.

At the moment I am making a collection of headbands where there will predominate a lot of metal elements, zippers, chains, rivets, buttonholes... Based on the latest trends, I am confident that it will succeed!

Your main online outlets are Etsy and Instagram. What do you think these platforms bring to your business model that other Internet sales channels won’t? What are the most notable differences selling through both platforms?

My key sales networks are Etsy and Instagram, you’re right. But I can’t specify that the sales are from either site. What I can say specifically is that the product information should be of very high quality (this is about the presentation of the material) and just as precise.

The value proposition of your designs is, without a doubt, the quality and care in the finishes of your headbands with very competitive prices. Do you think that handmade products are valued enough in Spain? Or do you think it is something that is focused on a client or a very specific occasion where you decide to spend a little more than usual (like weddings, special events...)?

Yes, in Spain, as in all of Europe, handmade products are highly valued! As for the headband, there is a special love/tenderness for this accessory! For each significant event, the girls usually match their look with a headband, which adds the final touch to their outfit! It also indicates that the women of this country have a lot of style and elegance.

Finally... What advice would you give to future entrepreneurs in the fashion sector who want to start such a project? What do you think is more important when starting up an Internet business in this sector (having an important financial cushion, a lot of creativity, contacts, knowledge of online presence management, or a little bit)?

"Believe in yourself! Be unique, not like the others! Then there will be no human force that can prevent your success!"