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Think Again Think Spain
This is an initiative by the Leading Brands of Spain Forum, ICEX and the Spanish Chamber of Commerce that encourages us to think, to delve a little deeper and to discover a more complete Spanish reality. And it does so through the innovation, creativity, versatility and the excellence of Spanish companies.
Think Again Think Spain is aimed at a professional and business audience, with decision-making capacity in the most relevant sectors of the international activity of Spanish companies. The campaign will place special emphasis on markets of high interest for the Spanish economy and companies, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, Colombia and Peru.
Among its objectives is also to restore confidence in Spain based on the strengths of its economic and business reality as a destination for investment and as a trading partner, key levers for the recovery of economic activity and therefore for overcoming the economic and social crisis generated by the pandemic.
Panama Jack
The search for new adventures, something different, something fascinating… Panama Jack was born in 1989 following a natural lifestyle that marks its difference and where lies its appeal. The principles of ethics, transparency and seriousness govern rule all of Panama Jack’s actions; and lasting friendship is the nexus that unites the organization with its customers. Also distribution is centered on a careful selection of points of sale.
Basic Boot summarizes the whole concept of the Panama Jack product: it has an urban and natural character, simple lines, top quality materials and its elements provide comfort to the foot. The Panama Jack public is not profiled according to their age, purchasing power or social status, but according to their attitude and way of thinking. The pleasure of walking, a natural style and the search for daily adventure as a way of life are the points of contact between the brand and its target public.
Panama Jack has been collaborating for 15 years with the Quetzal Route, a project recognized by UNESCO and directed by Miguel de la Quadra-Salcedo, and also participates in the Atapuerca archaeological project, equipping every summer the groups of archaeologists who go to the sites in search of clues about the origin of life.
Astobiza vermouth
It is the first vermouth in the world made with white wine from Ondarrabi Zuri grapes, harvested in Finca Astobiza, to which they add cereal alcohol with juniper from their London Dry Gin (Best Gin in Spain 2020 at the World Gin Awards), they adjust its kindness with grape must and macerate with different botanical times that we select with care. Among them, the presence of absinthe and citrus fruits of the environment stands out.
Concept of Astobiza vermouth comes from Damajuana No 3 out of 12 Damajuanas that they have used to perform hundreds of tests by Astobiza team over the last few years. The goal achieved: to balance bitterness and acidity in a long, clean and fresh palate, maintaining the Atlantic character of the wines and, at the same time, maintaining the gastronomic profile that characterizes them. Controlled maceration of secret botanicals is divided into citrus, herbal and bitter.
We recommend tasting the white vermouth “as is” and using the red one for cocktails. To prepare pink vermouth, simply serve the white “on the rocks” and then add a few drops of red vermouth. To prepare red vermouth, you can serve the white “on the rocks” and serve the red to taste.
Wallapop marketplace
Before the Internet, but above all, before mobile apps, it was usual for Spanish consumers to take used stuff or clothes to a second-hand store. Then, with the arrival of websites such as Segunda Mano or the current Vibbo or Mil Anuncios, we started to sell them directly to interested buyers on Internet.
And then, in 2013 came Wallapop, an application for mobile phones of Spanish origin, which simplified this second-hand sale between individuals much more, in addition, it added an extra feature; the geographical proximity between buyers and sellers. Since then Wallapop has become a virtual marketplace, where whoever buys and who sells can establish direct contact in a very simple way. Wallapop basically works as a meeting point between buyers and sellers, where they can communicate with each other directly and easily (not unlike a WhatsApp conversation), until closing the deal and buying / selling the product. That is, in the entire negotiation process, only seller and buyer interested in the item participate. Once they agree on the price, they agree on a meeting point to make the delivery or they can agree on a postal shipment.
Novelty that Wallapop provided (and which its competitors lacked) is in the use of app geolocation to show products of those sellers closest to the buyers, which saves any cost of shipment if they are both close one to eachother. Wallapop is an application that makes it much easier for people to sell what they no longer need and find items they need at a lower price but in good condition. Its seller rating system helps avoid bad experiences when buying and also has a refund / returns service that provides extra security to the process.
It works throughout Spain from your mobile or from your computer. There are ads for cars, houses, comics, dolls, second hand mobiles and services. By using wallapop you will also make the world more sustainable by reusing thousands of items. According to the latest information about Wallapop, the application already has more than 10 million active users per month and it continues to grow year after year.
Niutt waistcoats
A few days ago we claimed that Spanish spring and summer trends map was landing on the southern coast of Mallorca – specifically, in Santanyí – and we did so on the basis of real evidence. Here you could see ideal and influential girls resting on the island and constructing, in their free time, ideal styles that the rest of us mortals who are not yet on holiday will replicate as soon as we can. From her styling exercises, we fell in love with Niutt bohemian waistcoats that transform any outfit.
The influencer who best championed this trend is Claudia Parras, the responsible for the design of this type of waistcoat. Her project, Niutt Brand, has one of the most popular waistcoats on the internet: a Liberty-style floral print in shades of pink, red, green and yellow and a strawberry-coloured collar. She has christened it as the Valentina waistcoat and it promises to compete with the beach dresses this summer.
CiaoBellaido
Passioned for the authentic, Ciaobellaido is a handmade jewellery brand with a romantic and minimalist aesthetic, where simplicity and chic style are its main slogans. They select the best materials such as gold-plated silver and brass, as well as resins and semi-precious stones, creating a universe of retro-style and very feminine pieces.
The designer, a lover of Italy, lived for a time in Venice and from that stay she rescued that special name, which somehow recalls the sense of beauty so pronounced in the Italians and which she tries to transfer to her jewellery on a daily basis.
In her latest Spring-Summer 2021 collection, the SOFT collection stands out, a set of pieces in super versatile and very flattering pastel tones to wear this summer. Follow their latest creations at Ciaobellaido and Instagram.
Begoña Cervera
Begoña Cervera’s passion for flamenco, dance, singing… is totally immersed in a exciting world full of projects to bring a good sound, firmness and craftsmanship so characteristic of authentic flamenco shoes. She has been a symbol of evolution and innovation in the design of handcrafted flamenco shoes and proof of this is the inclusion of flowers and embroidery usually exclusively in couture dresses and manila shawls that now can be on our feet, a fundamental part of this art.
This continuous innovation is due to the fact that Begoña Cervera knows well the world of dance and each flamenco dancer is looking for something different for each of their shows, needs and expectations that go through the customization and design of these models. Begoña Cervera continues to focus mainly on reinforcing the values that have accompanied them for 15 years now: Craftsmanship, exclusivity and quality made in Spain.
Begoña Cervera has affirmed that tradition is craftsmanship but also comfort, innovation and design. Proof of this is that since the end of 2014, the brand has launched an artistic project adapted to the shoe: The ARTY heel, a concept based on customization taken to its maximum power, where the customer can choose between different models of heels painted completely by hand. Each of them is carefully and delicately painted by a great group of artists. Among the heels, you can choose the style that best suits your tastes or needs, in colour, shape and height.
Begoña can boast of manufacturing its entire range of 100% flamenco shoes in Spain. In Elda (Alicante), surrounded by highly qualified personnel with experienced hands, these wonderful shoes are born carefully elaborated where each one of them with their imprint reflects your choices and tastes.
Since you choose a Begoña Cervera handcrafted model, until these shoes reach your feet, there is a process of creation and manufacture that carries a wide selection of characteristics of the flamenco shoe, such as the choice of materials, colour, height and shape of the heel as well as the external material (leather, suede, wood, hand painted…). Always counting on their personalized advice, your shoe will be unique and you can enjoy it as you wish.
Dancers from all over the world have motivated this designer to create a range of city shoes with all the flavour of flamenco, as well as accessories such as bags, t-shirts, wallets and briefcases, some of which are even in limited editions to give them total exclusivity. As always, each article of the brand is 100% made in Spain and with the guarantee of the quality of the most famous brand in the flamenco world.
Hoff & Masquespacio
The award winning creative studio Masquespacio and Hoff join forces to create a piece that blends their styles. A differential model with an original and vivid color combination, exclusively for the female audience. The creative design and the search for the perfect aesthetic is what unites worlds as different as interior design and footwear creating a unique piece.
For this project Masquespacio aspired to bring its world of interior designs to the world of fashion through its most artistic approach and using its moniker Mas Creations, with which it develops artistic creations of in-house production or for other love brands in search of Masquespacio’s specific style.
Hereby, the Spanish design studio has brought its universe of colors, materials and textures to this sneaker collection. Together with this on the sole it applied some organic forms and designed the shoe box.
Spanish sneakers brand Hoff, originally from the Alicante town of Elche and nowadays with a presence in more than 400 points of sale in different countries in Europe and the United States, continues to be faithful to its expansion plans and has just announced the opening of its first physical shop, a flasgship store that will be located at number 39th Calle Velázquez in Madrid.
Opening of this flagship store is a vitally important turning point in the history of Hoff. The firm is thus embarking on the creation of its own network of physical establishments, with the opening of its first own shop with which it will seek to transmit the brand’s values with the same creativity and passion for discovering new places that drive the design of each of its models, inspired by iconic places around the world.
Lurreko Aromatics
There are places where you go and fall in love with, and Préjano (La Rioja) is one of them. The Vía Verde from Arnedo to Préjano foretold that you are arriving at a very special place. Lurreko Aromatics farm belongs to the Red Natura 2000 and is located in a spectacular setting surrounded by huge mountains: Peña Isasa and Peñalmonte. The adjoining estates are made up of centenary olive and fruit trees, and in the centre, Lurreko Aromatics is like a flowery garden full of aromas and biodiversity.
Lurreko Aromatics has been running for 4 years and was born out of an interest in recovering aromatic and medicinal plants from the mountains in the area. Alex Yunkera is convinced of the importance of valuing the local species and varieties of plants and vegetables that nourish and heal us. The farm produces around 25 aromatic and medicinal plants of native varieties that have been reproduced from seeds and cuttings: hypericum, thyme, oregano, liquorice, wild mint, etc. But not only this, it also grows foreign plants with commercial potential, such as echinacea, which grows very well in this area, the aromatic French tarragon and the interesting valerian. In the greenhouse, the aromatic plants that are later grown on the farm are carefully reproduced. A meticulous work that requires time and dedication that Alex, together with the invaluable help of his mother Rosi, manages to carry out.
The aromatic herbs are harvested, dried directly on the farm with a self-built dehydrator made from recycled material, and packaged for marketing. They are also creating new blends of infusions for different uses. The latest is “Primavera Trompetera” with perilla and other plants with antihistamine properties, ideal for people allergic to grasses.
As other initiatives, diversifying activities and products is essential. Alex’s grandfather had a 2-hectare farm with ancient olive trees, a treasure to be valued. He recovered these olive trees and started to produce high quality extra virgin olive oil. His idea was not only to market oil, but to offer something more unique. By macerating the different aromatic herbs from his orchard with this oil, he obtains a unique product of great quality. Aromatic oils such as French tarragon oil, basil oil or mint and lemon oil surprise the palate with rounded and special flavours.
The latest proposal that is being carried out are educational and informative activities for children, families and anyone who wants to get to know Lurreko Aromatics beautiful farm and the wonderful world of plants. This farm was born with an informative vocation, so plants and trees are identified with their names and surnames.
Alex always speaks in the plural of Lurreko Aromatics as there are many hands and hearts that accompany and help him in this enterprise. Diverse people who generate strength and energy so that everything flows, just as it does on his farm. Biodiversity is a central value: nesting boxes, beehives, floral bands, vegetable garden with local varieties… They help the agro-ecosystem to be in balance.