- The Cortefiel brand, founded in the Spanish capital eight decades ago, has been recognized for its historic contribution to economic, business, and social development
Cortefiel, the Spanish fashion brand that gave rise to what is now Tendam, has been awarded the 2026 Medal of the City of Madrid at an institutional ceremony presided over by the Mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida.
The award recognizes Cortefiel’s business legacy and its contribution to the economic, commercial, and social development of the Spanish capital. Established as a brand in 1945, Cortefiel is today one of the leading names in Spanish fashion and maintains a close connection with Madrid, where both the brand and its parent company, Tendam, are headquartered.
The ceremony, held within the framework of the San Isidro celebrations — honoring Madrid’s patron saint and one of the city’s most emblematic festivities — was attended by Jaume Miquel, President and CEO of Tendam; Marie Castellví, General Manager of Cortefiel and Tendam’s adult segment brands; as well as other company representatives and leading figures from Madrid’s institutional, business, and cultural spheres.
Jaume Miquel, President and CEO of Tendam, stated: “Cortefiel is an essential part of our legacy, but even more importantly, of our future. At Tendam, we receive this medal with gratitude, pride, and a strong sense of responsibility. It encourages us to continue creating value for our customers, employees, and suppliers, as well as for the city that hosts us, for Spain, and for all the other countries in which we operate.”
Marie Castellví, General Manager of Cortefiel and Tendam’s adult segment brands, added: “Today, Cortefiel remains a deeply relevant brand, connected with different generations of customers and constantly evolving. It has also been the incubator and origin of a brand ecosystem that has contributed to Tendam’s growth as one of Europe’s leading fashion groups.”
Alongside Cortefiel, the following were also honored: Capas Seseña, the historic Madrid-based company specializing in traditional capes; Mariano Barbacid, biochemist and oncologist; the Guillén Cuervo family family, one of the most renowned families in Spain’s performing arts and audiovisual industry; restaurateur Amadeo Lázaro Catalina; Helena Revoredo, President of Prosegur; lawyer Antonio Garrigues Walker; APRAMP, an organization supporting women victims of exploitation; businessman Valentín Díez Morodo, President of Fundación Casa de México en España; Paula Quinteros, founder of The Objective; Madrid-born writer Paloma Sánchez-Garnica; Elisa Aguilar, current President of the Federación Española de Baloncesto; basketball player Sergio Llull; Jorge Resurrección ‘Koke’ of Atlético de Madrid; and the Escuela de Tauromaquia José Cubero ‘Yiyo’.
A History Closely Linked to the City of Madrid
Cortefiel traces its roots back to Madrid, to the historic Quirós department store on Romanones Street, the origin of a business group that began as a small haberdashery shop at the end of the 19th century. In 1945, the Cortefiel brand was established, opening its first store in the Spanish capital. Today, it has become one of the most recognized names in Spanish fashion.
Cortefiel also gave rise to the other core brands of Tendam. Both Springfield and Women’Secret were originally launched within Cortefiel stores as youth fashion and lingerie brands, respectively. Today, each has become an undisputed leader in its segment.
The company’s connection with Madrid continues through Tendam’s headquarters, located on Avenida del Llano Castellano, in a building that once housed the Group’s former textile factory. From the Spanish capital, Tendam drives its national and international growth, with more than 1,800 points of sale across nearly 80 countries.