Circulo Fortuny aims to enhance handmade manufacturing

09 Jun '11

5 min read

The European Commission Vice-President, Antonio Tajani, supports the launch of Circulo Fortuny: “The European Cultural and Creative Industries of which the luxury goods sector is a key component, has shown sustainable growth through its on-going Creativity and Innovation. Luxury exports have continued to grow throughout the financial crisis and the sector is an example of European Cultural Excellence at its best. The creation of the Spanish Circulo is good news.”

Other interesting figures on the luxury sector are the ones by Spanish Citizens which were gathered through the survey by TNS Sofres1, in Sep 2009:

• 70% believe that the luxury sector ensures the cultural influence of Europe throughout the world
• 52% believe that the luxury sector is a key driver for the maintenance of craftsmanship
• 61% say that the luxury sector has a very important role in securing employment in Europe
• 56% declare that the luxury sector is critical to ensure European and Spanish competitiveness worldwide.

This is the framework which has led the luxury companies to unite under the umbrella of this new association, to promote the benefits of their activities and to act as an intermediary with Spanish citizens and authorities. They will thus merge their efforts to generate synergies by sharing the principles of their business models as key drivers for employment in the country and as net exporters, which success is based on innovation and creativity. This strategic alliance is an important milestone for the luxury industry in Spain.

Members of Circulo Fortuny

Circulo Fortuny was created with the desire to welcome the brands that wish to be part of this association and that meet strict requirements for quality, excellence, creativity, identity, international orientation and selective distribution. Only brands whose candidacy is proposed by two or more members will be submitted to the admissions process to join the Circulo.

International Presence

Circulo Fortuny is part of the European Cultural and Creative Industries Alliance (ECCIA), which is composed to this day of the three major associations of luxury companies in Europe, Comité Colbert (France), Fondazione Altagamma (Italy) and Walpole British Luxury (United Kingdom). This European association agrees that the luxury sector is one of the key drivers for sustainable growth and plays a particular role in the economy, competitiveness, creativity, innovation and employment. European brands account for approximately 75% of the global luxury market, and among the top 25 international companies in the sector, a total of 17 are based in the European Union.

Circulo Fortuny was in fact created two years ago to defend the common position of the Spanish luxury sector versus the regulatory reform of Selective Distribution that the European Commission initiated then. The first meeting was held on 23 December 2009 and, for the first time, companies in the industry in Spain joined their interests, particularly regarding the relevance of selective distribution, to protect the value of their brands, image and quality of their products.

Cabinet Círculo

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