"European Cultural and Creative Luxury Industries: Key Drivers for European Jobs and Growth"

On 22 October in Paris, ENCATC, the leading European network on cultural management and cultural policy education, organised a one-day Masterclass on the topic of “European Cultural and Creative Luxury Industries: Key Drivers for European Jobs and Growth”. 

This event aimed to foster interaction between representatives from the industry, policy makers, and educators for a mutually beneficial exchange on the latest developments in the field, challenges faced and possible solutions, as well as the skills and competencies needed in the fashion and high-end industries. Done in partnership with and hosted by ENCATC member Groupe EAC (Business School of Arts, Culture and Luxury), the Masterclass gathered 60 academics, researchers, professionals from the luxury and creative industries, policy makers, and students representing seven countries: Belgium, France, Italy, Morocco, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom.  

The fashion and high-end industries are important building blocks of the European industry. With more than 850,000 companies and 5 million jobs, the fashion industry currently accounts for 3% of the EU's GDP. Furthermore, Europe's high-end products account for 10% of total EU exports and provide one million direct jobs. Bolstering the fashion and high-end industries is an important part of the European Commission's efforts to increase the share of industry in the GDP to 20% as set in the Europe 2020 strategy.  

The Masterclass began with useful facts and figures demonstrating the industry’s potential as a key driver for European jobs and growth that were provided by Franck Delpal, an economist and permanent lecturer at the Institut France de la Mode in Paris. His presentation on “The economic significance of the European cultural and creative luxury industries” highlighted the importance and weight the industry carries in Europe and around the globe. His presentation was followed by examples of how the European Commission is supporting and protecting the fashion and high-end industries thanks to the presentation by Jean François Aguinaga, Head of Unit, Textiles, Fashion, Design and Creative Industries at the European Commission’s DG Enterprise and Industry.  

The Masterclass programme also included two discussion panels gathering expertise and insight from business representatives, practitioners, academics and educators: Paloma Castro Martinez, Global Corporate Affairs Director, LVMH and Board Member of the European Cultural & Creative Industries Alliance (ECCIA); Marie-Séverine de Caraman Chimay, Director, Watts of Westminster est.1874 from the United Kingdom; Stéfane Grandcamp, a French Brand Management Consultant; Elisabeth Ponsolle des Portes, President and CEO of the Comité Colbert in France; Annick Schramme, professor at the University of Antwerp / Antwerp Management School in Belgium Belgium; Evelyne Resnick, Luxury MBA Academic Advisor, Sup de Co La Rochelle / La Rochelle Business School in France; and Philippe Perfetti, Head of the French Employment and Education Department, Assemblée permanente des Chambres de metiers (APCMA), member of the European Alliance for Apprenticeships.  

Industry representatives presented the challenges they face today, explained what they are doing to overcome them, raised concerns for the future of the industry, and contributed a list of skills and attributes they look for in employees. Masterclass participants also heard from higher education academics and educators about how they are shaping the minds of tomorrow, what they are doing to prepare their students to work in the real world of cultural and creative luxury industries, and how they’re staying on top of developments in the field. 

“This was a unique forum to learn about the nature and functioning of the luxury goods industry. It was a very enjoyable format, relaxed but professional. And the international approach was extremely appreciated and a must in masterclasses,” said one participant.