Cristina Pedroche, the well-known Spanish television presenter, once again took center stage on New Year’s Eve with her stunning and thought-provoking gown during the Campanadas 2025 celebration on Antena 3.
This year's dress is not just any fabric; it symbolizes the urgent need to protect children from violence and abuse, crafted with immense care and creativity. Collaboratively created with the notable designer Josie, the gown features 8,500 crystals made from Pedroche's own breast milk, which she preserved from her first pregnancy. The creation process took over 2,500 hours, resulting in this spectacular piece weighing over 42 kilograms.
With the festive evening drawing attention, Pedroche addressed the audience alongside her co-host Alberto Chicote, symbolizing not only the end of the year but also the significant milestones they celebrate together. This year, Pedroche also shared exciting news of her second pregnancy. "It’s a privilege for me to be able to broadcast the Campanadas one more time. I feel tremendously proud to join UNICEF Spain, which has tirelessly worked for the protection of childhood for nearly 78 years," she stated.
Pedroche’s dress has become emblematic of her efforts to intertwine fashion with meaningful social messages. Each year, Pedroche surprises the audience not just with her fashion choices, but with the powerful statements they convey. Last year, she donned eco-conscious designs to highlight water protection, and before, she emphasized the plight of refugees. This year, her partnership with UNICEF is framed by the pressing issues many children face globally, particularly those living under the threat of violence and abuse.
"This year I am especially excited about the arrival of the new year. I wish for peace, tolerance, and responsibility," Pedroche added, framing her heartfelt message for the audience.
The creation process of her stunning gown involved urban artistry and elaborate techniques of high hat-making, reflecting the depth of craftsmanship involved. Josie, the creative director behind Pedroche's look, articulated the joy the project brings him, framing it not just as fashion but as art. He described the dress as "a feminine deity associated with motherhood, fertility, agriculture, and life. It’s meant to evoke the nurturing spirit of female deities from history, like Demeter and Isis. This gown is not just for wearing; it aims to inspire.”
The gown includes intricately crafted elements like corsetry, a headpiece, and voluminous layered skirts, all adorned with elements representing maternal love and protection. It elegantly depicts over 40 breast-shaped adornments where the crystallized breast milk emits glimmering crystals, encapsulating Pedroche's brave visage on live television.
Through this creative alliance, the partnership with UNICEF not only raises awareness about child safety but inspires conversations about the importance of nurturing our youth. José María Vera, UNICEF Spain’s executive director, emphasized the grim realities children face around the globe, stating, "Protecting childhood and investing in their well-being is fundamental to our duty, ensuring they can develop fully and flourish."
The dress has stirred conversations on social media, highlighting how traditional styles have evolved. Each year, Pedroche captures the audience, not just with aesthetic appeal but with powerful symbolism. The Campanadas event now serves as more than just a countdown; it’s become a canvas where fashion melds with advocacy.
Pedroche's dedication to making her Campanadas appearances significant cannot be understated. Each year she ingeniously invests her position to bring to light various issues, urging her audience to reflect on the world they inhabit. The night ends not merely as the clock strikes twelve, but with renewed pledges for peace and empathy.
Reflecting on her career and this year's message, Pedroche asserts, "I hope this dress nourishes awareness, making us all aware to protect those innocent lives struggling around the world."
With the dawn of 2025 now upon us, Pedroche and her magnificent dress remind us all of the power and responsibility we bear to advocate for vulnerable populations—proclaiming as this new year beckons, we must shine brighter together.