The Lanzarote designer Manolo Camejo, at 60 years old, boasts a fabulous career in the world of design. He collaborates every year in the Carnival of Lanzarote, dressing murgas, comparsas, Queens of the Carnival and children, Drag Queens, and even the politicians of the island, he has been doing this for almost 40 years. "I started at 18 and I have a long career behind me," Camejo told La Voz.
It was his mother who wanted to introduce him to the world of fashion, and he was very close to her from a very young age. "I started to like it from the beginning, I have lived it in my home, my mother was a true carnival lover," he confessed to the newspaper.
He has been a clear example of perseverance and effort. He studied decoration and continued his training later. "I did fashion design in Madrid," he pointed out. In addition, his work as a designer has been very characteristic during the last years. In 2021, he collaborated with the Venezuelan Hannibal Laguna during the presentation of his collection at the 'Fashion Week in Madrid. "I designed the earrings and ornaments that dressed the designer's collection," he confessed.
He has hinted at the "great luck" that has always accompanied him by giving him a family like his. It was his father and mother who wanted him to pursue his dreams. "My father was the most liberal person in the world and he told me that I had to be and do what I wanted," he commented with joy. He reveals to the readers a family facet of which he cannot be more satisfied. "My father always supported me and is my role model."
He assures that his parents let him behave as he really was at all times. "It's sad when parents don't let their children be what they want, that's why it was a blessing to have the family I had," he clarifies with affection. The values instilled by his parents have always been very important to him. "Children must be given wings to be what they want to be."
"A child must be given freedom and I was lucky to have it, it was a blessing to have that family"
In addition, he remembers the artist César Manrique, another of his fundamental pillars in his beginnings and youth, for him and other young people on the island. "He was a being who gave us tremendous wings at that time." He remembers and shares a memory that he keeps deeply. "When I finished my degree he called me and said: "let me see those designs you have".
For the most veteran female murga of the Archipelago, 'Las Revoltosas' and the 'Los Yaiceros' comparsa, which he has been decorating for years during the Carnival festivities, he has prepared something special this February. "I started with the murga from its beginnings in 1982," he remembers the moment perfectly. He has been able to advance some of the curiosities that the people of Lanzarote will be able to see in the coming weeks. "The theme that will dress the murga is inspired by something that they have been awarded in 2023", the designer has assured. It must be remembered that last year they were named 'Gold Medal' of the Government of the Canary Islands, something that they have lived with "much intensity", he recalls.
For the comparsas, he highlights that color, sequins and volume will be the different contrasts that adorn the Carnival. "I will mix colors, some metallic element, gold or silver and also, I will resort to materials similar to glitter", a tradition that he usually performs since its inception. This year, with the prohibition of the sale of glitter, a measure approved last October to reduce microplastics, he will have to innovate. "My mission is to find resources that others do not see," he revealed about the secret of his work.
He has only been able to advance some of the details that will accompany the comparsa during the Carnival. "They are going to refer to an emblematic musical theme, that's all I can say," the artist joked.
The moment he remembers most fondly of his career was when he presented the designs of 'Las Revoltosas' as 'Guardians of Timanfaya', in his first contest and collection, in which he decided to give a twist to the traditional design. "I didn't want them to be clowns and I made them come out as empowered women", he highlighted with pride.
Long working days to comply with the Carnival
For months he has been dedicating himself body and soul to the Carnival. The long working days are what accompany him every day. "I go to bed at four in the morning and I get up at half past seven to continue," he confessed. The concrete proof of this is his desire to continue fulfilling his tasks. "The silicone gun is my intimate friend," he says with laughter. He recognizes that having such a busy schedule has its small drawbacks. "I'm taking even the Almacén Carnival, I can't take it anymore."
He is characterized by being grateful and did not want to miss the opportunity to highlight the "great" work that his colleagues, the dressmakers, do for him and his clients for months. "The work they do is incredible and I want to pay tribute to them," he says with gratitude.
Although he is very busy, he will also have time to dress up and go out to dance the Carnival. "I'm the last monkey to get dressed, so I'll put on the first thing I find," he revealed. The intentions of having a good time at the festival are present. "I will go out to the street, but I don't have time to do something elaborate, I will end up refajando", he adds. He will probably go out in "Arrecife or Playa Blanca, the first day or the last", he clarified, all according to the availability he has.
As a good Lanzarote and Canary Islander, the Carnival is a time of illusion and joy, although for him it has a much deeper meaning. "It is an explosion of sincerity at all levels, it is the time to be yourself," he says. A few weeks to celebrate and not think about anything else. "The composure is not looked at, people want to let go of everything, it involves a removal of masks," he adds naturally.
Promising future
The future does not yet worry the designer, he prefers to focus on the present. "Looking to the future I have hope, but I live the present," he said. There are many projects that he has in mind, although he has not advanced any, he prefers to leave it with a bit of mystery. "I have a lot ahead of me, but with the desire to do things better and be happy with what I do."
He does not let himself be defeated by the moments of loss of inspiration and continues to push himself forward, doing what he has always wanted: to design. "There are times when I lose the desire, but then they come back and I continue at the foot of the canyon," he concludes.
