Students enrolled in the MSc Luxury & Innovation Management at EMLV exploreD the luxury industry from within through a curated series of field visits in Paris.
Led by Professor Ken Debby Imanuela, these visits provided direct exposure to multiple dimensions of the luxury ecosystem—retail, fashion heritage, innovation, and experiential branding—across flagship locations of renowned brands and institutions.
Connecting Academic Insights with the Luxury Value Chain Through Curated Industry Visits
Fashion as a cultural evolution: Visit to Palais Galliera
The first visit took place at the Palais Galliera, Paris’s fashion museum, with a focus on its exhibition dedicated to the evolution of sportswear.
Students explored how athletic wear transitioned from functional attire to a central influence in luxury fashion. The exhibition highlighted the cultural significance of sportswear, its integration into everyday style, and the way luxury houses have reinterpreted it over the decades.
From heritage pieces to contemporary collaborations, the visit offered a comprehensive view of this sector’s growing relevance.
Visit to Palais Galliera
Bacha Coffee: The luxury of narrative and retail ritual
At Bacha Coffee’s Paris boutique, students examined how the brand builds an immersive, heritage-based luxury experience.
Originating in Morocco and relaunched under Singaporean ownership, Bacha has redefined the high-end café experience through a blend of storytelling, premium service, and visual merchandising.
The visit enabled students to observe how packaging, staff presentation, and boutique layout contribute to a consistent and curated brand narrative. This example showcased how brands translate intangible cultural value into a tangible consumer ritual.
At Bacha Coffee’s Paris boutique
Polène: DNVB strategies in luxury leather goods
The exploration continued with a visit to Polène, a leather goods brand founded in Paris in 2016. Initially a digitally native brand, Polène opened its first physical boutique in 2021 on the Champs-Élysées.
This transition from e-commerce to brick-and-mortar retail was used as a case study to explore digital-first branding and supply chain optimization in the luxury market.
The visit also offered practical insights into made-to-order production, sustainable inventory strategies, and how these contribute to both brand equity and operational efficiency.
Polène, a leather goods brand founded in Paris in 2016.
Devialet: Luxury acoustics and brand positioning
Two site visits were organized around Devialet, the French brand known for its high-end sound systems: one at the Opéra Garnier and the other at the Rue Réaumur flagship store.
Led by Elisa Tanzil, Senior Global Media Manager, and accompanied by faculty, the sessions explored how Devialet combines French engineering, design, and acoustics to build a luxury positioning.
Students gained a closer look at the brand’s storytelling approach, marketing execution, and its ability to anchor innovation within a cultural context.
Alaïa Foundation: Creativity, heritage, and collaboration
At the Fondation Azzedine Alaïa, students viewed an exhibition focused on the creative partnership between Alaïa and Thierry Mugler.
The presentation emphasized the role of shared vision, respect, and design innovation in long-term fashion collaborations. Beyond aesthetics, the visit underscored the importance of cultural heritage and interpersonal trust as critical assets in the high fashion industry.
The Foundation’s mission to preserve and showcase couture history served as a reminder of luxury’s responsibility toward legacy and education.
At the Fondation Azzedine Alaïa
Galerie Dior: Haute couture from atelier to global identity
The final visit took place at the Galerie Dior, located on Avenue Montaigne—an iconic address in the global fashion industry.
Students followed a chronological journey through Dior’s history, from its founding in 1946 to the present day. They observed the inner workings of couture, including fabric selection, draping, embroidery, and finishing techniques.
The visit also demonstrated how Dior has crafted a unified global identity through consistent values, visual storytelling, and innovation, thereby solidifying its status in the heritage luxury segment.
at the Galerie Dior
Elevating luxury management: Unlock your global brand potential
The MSc Luxury & Innovation Management at EMLV addresses the rapid evolution of the luxury sector, particularly in a post-pandemic context marked by significant growth and transformation.
While the industry has demonstrated resilience and increased revenues, luxury companies are reevaluating their strategies to integrate sustainability, digital engagement, and technological innovation into their core business models.
Capitalising on EMLV’s expertise in digital and emerging technologies, the programme offers a forward-looking curriculum that equips students with the tools to lead and innovate in a competitive global environment. By combining theory and immersive learning, students can gain a more in-depth understanding of the industry’s complexities and drive meaningful change.
MSc Luxury & Innovation Management at EMLV
• Accredited by the Conférence des Grandes Écoles and AACSB
• 12-month programme (90 ECTS)
• Intakes: October or January
Interested in the MSc Luxury & Innovation Management programme?
