By Silvia Manzoni. Cover image by Margie Mitchem for I’M Firenze Digest.
Are top managers in luxury world our next gurus? What does “luxury” mean today? And how can you become an expert in this field of excellence and exclusivity? In the aftermath of Paris Fashion Week, Istituto Marangoni Paris organised two conferences with leading experts to discuss the topic. On the “school stage”, Alessandra Ruggeri, marketing director of Four Seasons, Aurélie Barbay, Global Sales Lead Luxury at X, Joan Martins Pereira, Luxury Client Lead at Google/YouTube, Cyril Cabellos, CMO at Rabanne, Philip Neufeldt, Creative Director at Estée Lauder EMEA, Lorenzo Maria Di Vecchio, General Counsel at Christian Dior Couture EMEA, Anthony Hymes, Global Client Partner Luxury at Meta, Carolyne Denzler, Global Marketing Director at L’Oréal (for the travel retail of Mugler/Victor&Rolf/Azzaro/Diesel&Cacharel) took turns.
Luxury as a way to connect with emotions and beauty: top managers said that
The concept of luxury is primarily linked to time and emotion. “It means creating a timeless product, with a quality that transcends epochs, that gives a sense of belonging” (Joan Martins Pereira). “Having time is the ultimate luxury,” says Aurélie Barbay. “Spending time with the people I love is a form of luxury,” agrees Carolyne Denzler. “Luxury is an elevated moment, connected to emotions and beauty. It’s being in a context that knows who you are,” adds Alessandra Ruggeri. Luxury can be “the transmission of something beautiful that has been obtained through one’s work, because it won’t be just any object, but an accessory that has meaning”, insists Carolyne. In luxury, explains Anthony Hymes, “the experience of the brand is as or more relevant than the product itself.”
Finding a job in the luxury market: some strategic tips
Once you understand the concept, how do you go about finding a job? Here are some tips from the top managers in luxury who spoke.
First lesson: be yourself and follow your instinct: “Express Yourself. Try to think: how can I bring something different?” (Aurélie Barbay). “Have a vision, stick to it, and it’s going to pay off” (Joan Martins Pereira).
Determination: “Set the goal and work on it” (Carolyne Denzler).
Preparation: “Being informed is essential to succeed in the objective” (Anthony Hymes).
Passion: “Do you want to work in luxury? Be passionate. At L’Oréal, we look for people who have the fire of passion” (Carolyne Denzler).
Cultivate contacts: “Build your network with patience” (Lorenzo Maria Di Vecchio). “Treasure today’s relations because they will be valuable in the future, you will evolve in the same sector, and you will meet again” (Alessandra Ruggeri). “Stay in touch with the people you have worked with; it’s a small world, and it’s easy to meet again as you evolve in your career” (Philip Neufeldt).
Seek advice: “Look for people from whom you can draw advice. The important thing is what you can learn, not what you can take from them” (Lorenzo Maria Di Vecchio). And don’t hesitate: “Ask questions, a lot of questions” (Cyril Cabellos).
Be open to opportunities, without prejudice: “From one thing can come another, look around you. The best careers can be born from something that you discover suddenly, so be curious” (Alessandra Ruggeri); “I studied medieval Italian poetry at university before attending an NBA and entering the luxury world, first at L’Oréal, then at Shiseido and today at Meta. The roads are open” (Anthony Hymes).
Cultivate hobbies that you can share in conversations. And read as much as possible. Here are two reading recommendations:
- Tess Gunty “The Rabbit Hutch” (Aurélie Barbay)
- Isadore Sharp “Four Seasons: The Story of a Business Philosophy” (Alessandra Ruggeri)
