Luxury Round Table: Building Loyalty Through Experience
February 17th, 2009

The Luxury Education Foundation held its Fourth Annual Luxury Round Table on February 17th, 2009 at Columbia Business School where students, alumni, and industry guests of LEF gathered for an intimate panel discussion designed to encourage and educate students interested in the luxury industry.

This year’s Round Table focused on the existing landscape of luxury as shaped by our current economic climate. The diverse panel of luxury executives offered their insights and perspectives on current issues, trends, and challenges facing the luxury industry, including defining luxury in a defining moment, the impact on distribution and communication, the fight against counterfeiting, and the current state of luxury in emerging markets.

LEF was delighted to welcome students from Columbia Business School and Parsons the New School for Design, as well as Masters students from the University of Westminster’s Fashion Business Management program. Through such events as the Luxury Round Table, LEF continues to offer students the rare opportunity to have an intimate dialogue with presidents and CEO’s of leading luxury companies, and to provide an impressive platform for luxury and education to thrive.

Panelists

Henri Barguirdjian
President & CEO
Graff USA

Robert Chavez
President & CEO
Hermès of Paris, Inc.

Barbara Cirkva
Division President
Fashion, Watches, and Fine Jewelry
Chanel Inc.

Pierre Fay
Executive Vice President of Whole
Luxottica Group

Moderator

Ketty Pucci-Sisti Maisonrouge
Adjunct Professor
Columbia Business School