Desigual Cake

When I was first asked to make a Desigual cake, I didn't even know what that was. It turns out it's a fashion designer, one I really really like - and the designs translate well into cake! I have been so so excited about this cake at every step through the design process until it was finished. 

First, the flavor! I got to try another recipe from the Layered cookbook. This was an apple spice cake with apple cider caramel, pecan oat crumble and dulce de leche buttercream. As with every other recipe from the Layered book, this one was delicious! The apple cider caramel was especially interesting. It takes a long long time to reduce apple cider down to the consistency needed but the end result is yummy!

I found this Desigual handbag in a little store in Courtenay, BC and I thought these modern abstract flowers would make the perfect topper for the cake!

This tote bag was in the same store in Courtenay and I thought it would be a great base for the cake. I covered a cake drum in tan fondant, let it dry, covered that with a sheet of white fondant and cut the pattern out with an exacto knife. I brushed the entire surface with champagne petal dust and steamed it to try to make it look "leathery". I added a ribbon to the edge to mimic the strap from the tote.

I knew I wanted to cover the cake in black fondant almost immediately as many of Desigual's designs feature bright colors on a dark background and it has amazing impact. When I found this shirt, I thought the pattern would be good for the cake.

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I added another fondant painted disc to the front of the cake but wanted to distinguish it from the pattern from the shirt. I did so by piping with many colors of royal icing in a pattern similar to many Desigual designs. And I love the contrast between the black fondant, the bright colors and the vibrant pink flower.

I love many parts of this cake but I think this flower is my very favorite of all!

The cake had designs on the back too which were also "freestyled" to try to look like some Desigual patterns. All in all, this is by far the cake I am proudest of so far! When I first envisioned the cake, I wasn't entirely sure I could pull it off and I'm so happy that it worked!