It is one of the most symbolic choices of a Fallera Mayor of Valencia on the day of her Exaltation: choosing a spur. The new Falleras Mayores of 2026, Carmen Prades, and Marta Mercader, have visited this Tuesday the looms of Vives and Marí in their first joint act after the “telephoned” of the mayoress of Valencia, María José Catalá, last Monday.
The espolín is the silk fabric that dominates the costume of fallera mayor and is one of the most colorful elements of this, so the falleras pay special attention to what color and patterns are chosen for the day of the Exaltation, which will take place in January.
Since 2001, there is an official and exclusive design called “Fallera Mayor de València”. This design, whose pattern is owned by the City Council of Valencia, is reserved only for the highest representatives of the Fallas festivities.
Although the pattern of the fabric is always the same, the combination of colors of the background, flowers and metals is unique for each Fallera Mayor, which makes her costume an exclusive piece.
The choice of color is one of the best kept secrets each year and generates great expectation in the fallero world, being revealed on the day of the ceremony of Exaltation of the Fallera Mayor.
What is the Exaltation?
It is the act where the bands that accredit the falleras mayores of Valencia and their courts of honor are awarded. It is the day when they premiere their official costumes.
Hence the importance of the color of the spur, which attracts a lot of attention in the fallero world.
The origin of the espolín
The espolín is a high quality silk fabric, elaborated in a handmade way. It is considered the key element of all traditional Valencian Fallas costumes.
Its name comes from the tool with which it is woven, a small shuttle that allows to create drawings with great detail and color.
Espolín is distinguished from other silks by its complex manual manufacturing process. It is woven on handlooms using traditional techniques.
Because less thread is used for the pattern, the resulting fabric is lighter than a similar-looking fabric woven on an industrial loom.