Tenerife International Fashion Week (SIMTE) has once again proven that trends aren't just showcased, they're sparked. At the epicenter of this creative whirlwind, Frank Betancort. The model, stylist, and artistic director set social media and the event's street style ablaze thanks to an exclusive collaboration with GalloBuey. The reason for this magnetism? A groundbreaking, 3D-printed sculptural piece in the shape of a male torso, which, after a massive wave of votes from his community, now has an official name: the "Frank Betancort Bag.
We sat down with the creative to unpack the success of this disruptive collaboration, review an international career that has taken him from the shores of Lanzarote to the catwalks of Paris or Milan, and glimpse the future of an industry that demands, now more than ever, authenticity and cutting-edge design.
The Brilliant Present
Q: For readers visiting the GalloBuey website today, who is Frank Betancort when the catwalk lights and Instagram cameras are turned off?
A: When the spotlights go out, what remains is the more artisanal and down-to-earth Frank. I'm someone who needs silence and discipline to nourish the mind. Behind the impeccable aesthetic are early mornings for exercise, intense Kundalini Yoga sessions to channel energy, and an absolute love for the precision of pastry technique. Ultimately, I'm a constant creator: if I'm not shaping a visual concept in my head, I'm searching for the perfect balance in a brioche dough. The spotlights show the result, but what defines me is the process.
Q: Through your social media, you project a great deal of poise and a very powerful visual identity. How would you define your current professional situation?
A: I'm at a point of absolute maturity and creative synergy. I no longer just interpret fashion in front of a camera; now I direct it, design it, and sign it. Integrating my roles as Creative Director, Art Director, and Stylist has allowed me to take complete control of my narrative. I feel I've left behind the phase of fitting into molds and have begun to create them myself, and the poise you see on my social media reflects knowing exactly who I am and what value I bring to this industry.
Q: If you had to define your style philosophy in one sentence today, what would it be?
R: "The sophistication of classic minimalism challenged by contemporary impact and provocation."
The Climax (The revolution at SIMTE and the handbag)
Q: This week the epicenter of fashion has been Tenerife International Fashion Week (SIMTE). How did you experience this edition and what did it mean for you to be there?
A: It's been an edition brimming with magnetism and emotion. Reconnecting with the energy of Tenerife, surrounded by so much talent, and seeing how fashion is evolving so powerfully is always inspiring. For me, this edition has marked a turning point; it's no longer just about attending or collaborating, it's about leaving a physical and conceptual mark on the event. It's been a grand return to my roots.
Q: The big news of the event was your collaboration with GalloBuey to present this 3D-printed bag in the shape of a male torso. When we suggested you carry such a groundbreaking, sculptural, and technologically advanced piece, what was your first reaction?
R: It was love at first sight! My mind immediately clicked with that cutting-edge aesthetic. For me, fashion has to spark conversation, it has to border on art and challenge the traditional boundaries of the accessory. A 3D-printed male torso merges two worlds that fascinate me: classical, almost anatomical sculpture, and the technology of the future. I knew from the very first second that we had to make history with it at SIMTE.
Q: As a model and influencer, you're used to wearing countless brands, but what's it like to carry such a unique bag as this one at SIMTE? What kind of reactions did you get from your audience?
R: It's an incredibly empowering feeling. I wasn't wearing an accessory to complement an outfit; the bag was the concept. Walking around SIMTE with it was magnetic; people didn't know whether to look at the clothes or be mesmerized by the texture and shape of the piece. The reactions were incredible: from fascination with the 3D technology to looks of "I want to know what that is now." It broke the mold, which was exactly the goal.
Q: In the end, your community overwhelmingly voted, and now the design is officially called the "Frank Betancort Bag." What does this massive support mean to you, and how do you feel this piece captures your essence?
A: The way my community has embraced this piece is the best possible reward. There's a very real and honest connection with the people who follow me, and for them to name this piece is the perfect ending to this project. I feel the bag captures my essence because it's bold, it's architectural, it has undeniable visual impact, and it doesn't apologize for being transgressive. It's "very me" in its most editorial aspect.
The Flashback (The beginnings and the forging of his identity)
Q: Seeing you succeed today at SIMTE with a bag that bears your name, it's easy to forget that success is built step by step. Looking back, how do you remember your first contacts with the world of fashion? Where does Frank come from?
A: I come from a place of pure observation and a desire for expression. I come from the coast of Lanzarote, but my true foundation in fashion was built burning rubber on the asphalt and international runways. My first real contacts with this industry were the pure adrenaline of fashion shows. Looking back is to remember a brutal journey that led me to set runways ablaze in Milan, Paris, London, Zurich, Mexico City, and more.
Experiencing fashion from the inside, walking the runway for iconic and groundbreaking brands like Vivienne Westwood, Dolce & Gabbana, and Diesel, or doing editorials for publications of the caliber of Vanity Fair Italy and GQ, was my true school. That's where Frank comes from: from the demands, the constant movement, and the global perspective of the great fashion capitals. That international experience is what gave me the confidence to be here today, doing things on my own terms. I remember my beginnings with a lot of nostalgia, but also with a lot of pride in the kid I was. For me, fashion began as a visual refuge, a way to transform reality through styling and image. The path hasn't been linear, but every step has brought me exactly where I am today.
Q: In such a competitive and saturated industry, what was it like to carve out your own niche? Was there a particular fashion show, photoshoot, or key moment that marked a turning point in your career?
R: Carving out a niche requires two things: an uncompromising identity and a thick skin. In a sea of stimuli, the only way to stand out is not to try to be like anyone else. There was a key turning point when I decided to take the definitive leap from being just the face in front of the camera to assuming the art direction and complete styling of my editorials. It was auteur projects where I could capture that cinematic aesthetic, with hyperrealistic textures and impeccable lighting, that made the industry start to see me in a different light. That's when they understood that Frank Betancort is a complete visual proposition.
Q: Looking back compared to today, how has your style evolved and what lessons have you learned along the way?
A: My style has evolved towards refinement. At first, you experiment a lot, sometimes overdoing the persona out of insecurity. Nowadays, my style is much more confident and mature: I know which silhouettes flatter me, what visual messages I want to champion, and how less is more if the texture and concept are powerful. The biggest lesson has been that fashion isn't about dressing up, it's about revealing who you are.
The Vision of the Future (Where is the myth headed?)
Q: Working in fashion and social media demands constant reinvention. With the "Frank Betancort Bag" already on the market, what new challenges or projects are keeping you up at night in the coming months?
A: I'm passionate about expanding the boundaries of my publishing projects and taking art direction to new formats. I'm very focused on producing high-impact visual content, playing with cinematic narratives and video transitions that break the screen. The "Frank Betancort Bag" has left me wanting more design and more disruptive collaborations. I want to continue crossing the Atlantic between Mexico and Spain, uniting the best of both worlds in my upcoming productions.
Q: What do you ask of the future of fashion in general, and what role do you think bold brands like GalloBuey play in that evolution?
A: I ask for less uniformity and more courage in the future of fashion. We live in an era where algorithms sometimes reward repetition, so we urgently need to recapture the power of surprise. That's where brands like GalloBuey are vital. They're the ones shaking things up, the ones daring to incorporate engineering, 3D printing, and conceptual art into everyday life. The future of fashion belongs to those who dare to be disruptive, and partnering with brands that think this way is what keeps the magic of this industry alive.
For us, collaborating with such magnetic and disruptive minds as Frank Betancort's is the reason we do what we do. The "Frank Betancort Bag" is a chapter in a story that seeks to challenge the boundaries of fashion, technology, and digital art. Thank you, Frank, for lending us your vision, your audacity, and for shaking things up with us at this unforgettable edition of SIMTE.