Enrique Loewe. PHOTO: Manuel Castells

"There is no fashion without craftsmanship," said Enrique Loewe at the University of Navarra. "Craftsmanship is a form of popular wisdom to which we must devote an intelligent and generous look," he added. The president of the Loewe Foundation, participated yesterday in a lecture with the degree scroll "Crafts, design and luxury" that took place in the School of Communication. His visit is part of the presentation of Forun 2012, a space for reflection and dialogue that this year is about beauty and its transformative power.

With regard to Spanish fashion, Enrique Loewe stressed that "the Spanish design moves in the fashionably correct, following trends smoothly" and said that "fashion needs more truth, more authenticity". He was also concerned about the training of creators and that the teaching in fashion is as complete and as open as possible: "The union of technique, culture and worldview is very important to have something to say in the world of design", he said.

The president of the Loewe Foundation, dedicated to promoting young talent in the areas of music, poetry, design, and dance, also spoke of the complexity of the current status in all areas and especially in the world of design."The total absent-mindedness in which we move is what causes perplexity, lack of security in creators, etc." but also "uncertainty and perplexity make it difficult for designers to express themselves."

Regarding the rethinking of the concept of fashion, the businessman said that "weak thinking and the moment we are living in do not facilitate a reflection on where fashion has to go. All indications point to the need to change the system, to rethink the values on which we base our collective imagination. Fashion is a reflection of society, of the ways in which people dream and seek happiness. But we live in a tsunami and fashion has to wait and see."

Finally, he noted that "the fashion world has always been a faithful companion of society, of moods, but this is not a good time." "The West is bored," he said and declared that "in 5 or 10 years we will start drinking culture from emerging countries."

Enrique Loewe

In 1965 Enrique Loewe began working with his father, Enrique Loewe Knappe, in the Loewe family house. He developed his professional activity as director Product, director general and president of the company. During these years, he collaborated in the national and international expansion of the brand. In 1996 the business celebrated its 150th anniversary and became part of the group Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (LVMH).

Enrique Loewe then focused his activity on the Loewe Foundation, whose presidency he has held since its creation in 1988. In 1998, he was appointed honorary president of Loewe by LVMH, representing the Loewe Companies group in public relations activities, both nationally and internationally.