11 October 2017

MATCHING LUXURY WITH ELEGANCE

Can you tell us how Le Cercle started off? How has your growth been or have you evolved?
 
Le Cercle represents the art of aesthetics, contemporary design and unmatched elegance.
In 1976, Mounir Hitti ventured into the industry of interior fittings. In 1986, and despite the ravag-ing war, I shifted the focus of the business and founded Le Cercle, building an enterprise model an-chored in core values: creativity, craftsmanship and luxury.
 
We skillfully shaped Lebanon contemporary design furniture industry by introducing exclu-sive world-class design brand collections and partnering with internationally famed architects which made Le Cercle gain its own identity and become a brand name. Leaning on forty years of experience and business knowledge, Le Cercle created a legacy of subtle and refined elegance not seen in the region.
 
This perfectionism ensured successful transition between gen-erations.With six flagship stores in major thoroughfares in Beirut (B&B Italia-Maxalto, Roche Bobois, Ligne Roset, Fendi Casa, Le Ce) Le Cercle is aiming today to cement its presence in Dubai. We have taken the next step in its growth process, le-veraging on its position as an industry leader to start an incu-bator for the future of furniture, art and architecture aiming to redefine the way luxury is made.Have you seen a growth in your clients? Is the demand more from corporate side or for homes?Despite regional turmoil Le Cercle has seen steady growth in its luxury niche clientele leading to a growing local network and the opening of more international brands stores.
 
 
With its moto “Experiences curated by Le Cercle”, our main strength has always been a selective niche of consumers loyal to Le Cercle’s latest products from international brand furnishings for their luxury residences. However, in the latest years we de-ployed huge efforts and used our network of high end designer furniture brands and their acclaimed architectures to forge partnerships and collaborations with applauded local archi-tects, designers and architecture houses in Beirut, Dubai and Europe to cater to the corporate built industry. Our business to business company division dubbed Le Cercle Pro is relying on forty years expertise in luxury design furnishings, partnership with prestigious brands and a net-work of internationally acclaimed interior designers and ar-chitects to be the reference for contract interior projects from shell to core delivering turnkey projects to architects, consul-tants, contractors and investors.We approach the world of international projects not only by offering products but turnkey technical, aesthetic and architectural solutions.

Le Cercle Pro operates across a wide range of sectors including luxury hospitality, high-end retail, office, yachts, international public institutions, aviation outlets and private residences. Our team manages complex projects providing architects, architectural firms, contractors and investors with hardcore support ranging from design, production, and project management to logistics, supply and installation. We present architects with the options to benefit from our premium collections, personalize the standard product range to meet to the needs of a specific project promptly or develop customized turkey solutions adapted by our R&D team to the requirements of their contract no matter its range or size. In 2018 are you planning to enter any new markets?

After 40 years of catering to the most selective and refined luxury design community in Beirut and the region and an established renommée as a landmark in the luxury contemporary design landscape in Beirut, I decided to share the experiences Curated by Le Cercle in Dubai through a strategic partnership with the prestigious Al Janabi Group. Thanks to its strategic location, security and political stability, high quality of life and investment incentives, Dubai has transformed itself into a global trading hub and ultimate harbor for renowned multinational companies. Dubai combines fascinating heritage with luxury lifestyle and world-class shopping facilities making it the “by default” destination for Le Cercle distribution network.
 


As part of Le Cercle expansion plan for 2018, six flagship luxury furniture brand stores will open in two major thoroughfares in Dubai to provide the market with the highest quality and innovation in contemporary home designs offering a one-stop shop for architects, interior designers and homeowners looking for the latest in state-of-the-art interiors.The first location chosen by Le Cercle is Dubai Design District (d3), a primary destination for creatives from all over the Middle East with more than half of all major international retailers having outlets in Dubai, and a third of all luxury spending in the Middle East occurring therein. D3 will be home for Living Divani, Driade and Ligne Roset where Flos and Fontana Arte luxury products will be also displayed. Whereas Baxter, Fendi Trussardi and Dedon mono brand stores will be situated in Jumeirah Beach Road with its premium luxury stores spreading out along the strip and ranging from the fashion-savvy boutiques nestled in the mosque corner to the homewares and luxury interior design stores in Umm Suqeim 2. Through these spaces of art architecture and design, Le Cercle will strive to meet an increasing demand for unique luxurious furnishings and unmatched iconic brand products in such a vivid and dynamic city as Dubai. With this new venture in the U.A.E., Le Cercle takes another crucial step in its ambitious expansion plan through the opening of single-brand stores in the world strategic markets.

What is your vision for the company over the next few years? I believe in learning from the best. French business magnate Bernard Arnault, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of LVMH, the world’s largest luxury goods company once said: “In the luxury business, you have to build on heritage” and this has been my moto for a long time. I believe luxury lives in the finer details and building a luxury brand takes lot of passion, patience, prudence and experience. Hence, at Le Cercle business growth is a mean but not a goal. Le Cercle always looks ahead. We consider it our duty to go beyond the norm by curating brands to transform our clients’ experiences. This philosophy is embraced by my two sons, who graduated from renowned universities in Europe and joined me in managing Le Cercle’s offices in Beirut and Dubai. Bruno is the COO of Le Cercle operations in Lebanon while Sandro heads Le Cercle’s Dubai operations.

We are also working extensively on our digital presence in adherence with our hype screen connected customer base. Le Cercle will soon officially launch the new version of its state of the art website (http://www.lecercle.me) which enables easy screening of all our products with more augmented realities, 360 approaches towards our brands and their collections in addition to easy seamless online shopping experience of the latest iconic furniture pieces hitting the international furniture brand stores. Our social media presence will also be amplified as luxury consumers are expecting a deep engagement with our brands, wherever they are, whenever they want and anytime they want. Over the next few years we will intensify our strong relationships with international designers and brands as they will remain the key factors in the strategic development of our company.
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