MBA Luxury Brand Management

MBA Luxury Brand Management
Class of 2016-2017

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Meet the Students - Kelebogile Mashigo from South Africa


  • What were you doing before you joined the MBA in International Luxury Brand 
    Management program?

Before I enrolled into the program I was a Senior Marketing Specialist in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods category in South Africa. I have had an 11 year marketing career, working for a number of exciting brands across different industries to diversify my experience.

  • Why did you decide to join the MBA?
Having spent my career in the FMCG world, I felt that this MBA would broaden my knowledge of the luxury sector as well as provide me with general and operational management knowledge through the variety of courses offered. ESSEC is perfectly placed close to the most prestigious luxury brands, with strong partnerships with LVMH & L’Oréal, to name a few, and so who better to learn from than the industry leaders? The luxury industry has always been an interest of mine, but I wanted to get an in-depth knowledge and hands on experience before I jumped into it.

  • What do you hope to achieve throughout the year?
So far I have experienced a diverse in-depth look at various facets of the luxury industry, taught by a high caliber of knowledgeable experts in a diverse fields within luxury. In addition, we have had the pleasure of meeting numerous industry leaders, who have shared their knowledge and expertise on what it takes to create, build and manage a luxury brand through all the different challenges that are presented. So I hope that the year comes with more of those experiences. I anticipate that the year will get even more challenging and interesting, but at the end of it I will leave with a wealth of knowledge and rich experience that I would not get anywhere else.

  • What are your professional goals after you finish the MBA?
I see myself as an integral part of the crafting and shaping of the luxury industry in key emerging markets, especially focusing on Africa, to develop the continent to compete with established luxury markets. I would like to facilitate narrowing “the gap” of luxury brands in emerging markets. There is so much potential that exists with new luxury brands within emerging markets but there is little expertise to grow these brands, and simultaneously there is a need for insight and knowledge of the various markets to enable the currently established luxury brands to enter. 

In a nutshell, this is what I see myself accomplishing in the next phase of my career with the experience and networks that I will acquire from this program.

  • What advice would you give to someone who is applying to the program?
The most profound advice that I received coming into this program was for me to be prepared for a challenging year that requires a lot of hard work. So far it has been the most interesting immersion into the luxury world, but it certainly requires so much focus and effort from me in order to get the best out of the program.

The second advice I would give to someone interested in this program is that it’s important to have an idea of what you would like to achieve with this program. Have an idea of what your personal mission is, and use this program to give clarity, shape and direction to that. Unfortunately, It doesn’t happen the other way round. This will help provide the motivation and sense of purpose you need when you take on the program.

Meet the Students - Debra Pioquinto from the Philippines

  • What were you doing before you joined the MBA in International Luxury Brand Management program?
Before joining the program, I was based in Manila working in fashion retail. 

Straight after graduating from university 7 years ago, I got a job as a Merchandise Manager in a luxury department store that carries brands such as Givenchy, D&G, Missoni, Etro, and Chloe. I was handling all the categories of these brands which includde womenswear, menswear, accessories and shoes. After that, I moved on and explored other opportunities in product development, as well as marketing and brand management but I eventually went back to my first love - merchandising.

My last job before coming to ESSEC was as a Buyer for Zalora, a Rocket Internet e-commerce startup. For the last three and a half years, I rotated across categories and handled womenswear, menswear and men’s accessories.


  • Why did you decide to join the MBA?
I decided to do an MBA because I wanted to explore other roles within the luxury retail industry. My undergraduate degree is in Management, so in the beginning I considered doing either an MA or an MBA as long as the program is luxury-specific. I have also never lived nor studied abroad prior to the program hence I was really setting my sights on coming to a European school. After a lot of research and talking to friends and colleagues who have done post-graduate studies, they told me about ESSEC’s MBA in International Luxury Brand Management program. I read up on it and found that the program was a good fit for what I was looking for. The fact that it is a luxury MBA in France gives me the opportunity to experience and meet with the French brands firsthand. The school has very good relationships with the leaders in the industry and this MBA allows me to have access to these contacts.

  • What do you hope to achieve throughout the year?
In terms of categories within the luxury industry, my exposure has only been concentrated in fashion and accessories. It is interesting to get to learn more about the other categories like beauty and cosmetics, wines and spirits, and watches and jewellery and to have an understanding of all these other segments.

More and more, we are also learning about the different issues that the industry faces today, which us future managers need to be prepared for. We have had the opportunity to discuss in class, work on projects and to listen to resource persons speak about these. Developing foresight and being able to use these tools to effectively manage a luxury brand in the future are what I hope to take away.



  • What are your professional goals after you finish the MBA?
Having already worked in retail, I want to experience working on the other side of the fence, in the luxury fashion maisons. I am specifically thinking about wholesale or merchandising and category management in fashion and accessories. On the other hand, I am also open to going to back to Buying for a multi-brand store or an online retailer. 


  • What advice would you give to someone who is applying to the program?
Ask questions, and if possible, get in touch with alumni or students currently in the program. Once you get in, have an open mind and be ready to listen and share with the class. The program only spans one year and it is going by really fast so treat everything as a learning opportunity. Keep in mind to also have school-life balance. The classes are very enriching and being in France gives you the chance to truly immerse yourself in the luxury industry and culture. This will be a good complement and supplement to what you will learn in the classroom so take full advantage of that.

Meet the Students - Dana Dinges from the United States

  •  What were you doing before you joined the MBA in International Luxury Brand Management Program?

For the past two years, I have been living in Strasbourg, France studying French and enhancing my understanding of French culture. This semester, I completed a course in French about the travel industry alongside native French speakers from the International Hospitality program. It was a great benchmark for my progress in language learning and an excellent way to interact with students from other programs.   

Before moving to France, I was General Manager for two home furnishings showrooms in New York City. I worked for a family owned business which was founded in NYC and beloved by the interior design community. Located in the famed Design & Decoration (D&D) Building which houses over 130 showrooms, Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman is a favorite destination amongst interior designers and architects in the know.  My job as General Manager was extremely dynamic and no one day was ever the same. It was a challenging position of managing operational excellence while balancing strategic objectives. From vendor relations to visual merchandising to sales and customer service, I wore many hats and enjoyed the diversity.  We formed a motivated, tight-knit team servicing designers and architects not only from the New York-area but also from top markets around the world.      

  • Why did you decide to join the MBA?

When I started investigating international MBA programs, a friend who worked at Louis Vuitton recommended I look into ESSEC.  When I read about the MBA for International Luxury Brand Management, I knew I did not need to look any further.  The program spoke to every need I had to expand upon my own experience and understanding of the luxury industry.  Located in Paris, the luxury capital of the world, I saw the added value of ESSEC’s program which immerses students in the heart of the industry.  In the classroom, we are not only analyzing brands and marketing strategies; we are also exploring manufacturing business models and identifying specific types of savoir-faire or know-how which help brands to achieve a highly differentiated product.  Vertical integration and value chain analysis inspire passionate discussions and new perspectives on how to maintain competitive advantages in the industry.  

  • What do you hope to achieve throughout the year?

My desire is to not only deepen my understanding of the luxury sector, but also explore my own sense of creative expression.  Coming from the home furnishings industry and having studied interior design, I possess an inherent understanding of working in a highly creative field but the linkage between the creative and business sides of the luxury industry is at the core of my personal journey.  Having worked in sales and management, my goals were identifiable and measurable.  Now, to stoke my own creative fire, I spend time taking long walks in Cergy and around Paris.  Recently, during Fashion Week, I purchased a book about women photographers at the beginning of the twentieth century.  I have started to explore my own eye for photography, using Instagram filters to share on social media.  I have visited several photography exhibitions in Paris this fall and I look forward to hitting the streets again in the New Year to discover even more.  

  • What are your professional goals after you finish the MBA?

My goal is to find a position within an industry leading corporation where I will be able to not only apply the knowledge that I have learned from my MBA but also incorporate my twelve years of experience in luxury home furnishings.  Right now, I am intrigued by the beauty industry as it seems to be quite dynamic and forward thinking.  Brands like Estée Lauder, Clarins, and L’Oréal inspire me to think about how I can translate my professional experience into a new setting.  I can also visualize myself working for a lifestyle brand given my background.  A designer brand like Ralph Lauren, Giorgio Armani, or Hermès seem natural since I am curious about the different product categories of a lifestyle brand markets including fashion, jewelry, fragrance and cosmetics, plus home décor and furniture.      

  • What advice would you give to someone who is applying to the program?


ESSEC’s MBA of International Luxury Brand Management is a first class ticket into the world of luxury and savoir-faire.  There is no better program to understand the essence of what makes luxury brands successful today and from where that success originates.  ESSEC’s curriculum is offering first-hand interaction with some of the world’s most powerful brands and gives unique insight into these brands.  My classmates are top notch from a highly diverse, global background.  The program is intense and packed with exclusive opportunities that I believe no other business school can provide.  Study up on the industry and begin following the macroeconomic trends and how they connect to luxury consumption.  Pay attention to luxury companies mentioned in business publications and develop a sense of who the key players are and how they work.  Also, start intensive French lessons to prepare for life in France.  While course are in English and most Parisians do speak English, it’s still important to be able to communicate in French.     

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Meet the Students - Cristiano Garlipp from Brazil


Interested in learning more about the class of 2016?

Current student Cristiano Garlipp has joined the MBA in International Luxury Brand Management program from Sao Paulo, Brazil. With 12 years of experience in the cosmetics and perfumery sector, he was interested in accelerating his career internationally and chose to come to ESSEC Business School to fulfill his ambitions. 

  • What were you doing before you joined the MBA in International Luxury Brand Management program?

Before this MBA I was working in Sao Paulo, Brazil for IFF (International Flavors & Fragrances) where I worked for 5 years as a Sales Manager in the fragrances department for cosmetics and household goods. I have a total of 12 years of experience in marketing and sales in cosmetics and perfumery, and it is a sector I feel very passionate about. At IFF I acted as the point of contact with cosmetics and perfumery brands, acting not only as a fragrance supplier, but also as strategy and product partner and advisor.  
  • Why did you decide to join the MBA?
I joined ESSEC Business School to do this MBA as I am very passionate about luxury industry, especially the segments of cosmetics and perfumery. Besides, I wanted to have an international experience in order to launch my career internationally. Having said that, ESSEC was a natural choice for me, not only for being the best school in luxury segment, but also for be conveniently located near Paris, France, and this for me is the best location for the luxury industries, especially for beauty brands such as L'Oréal Luxe, Clarins, Chanel, LVMH, among others.
  • What do you hope to achieve throughout the year?
This MBA is only one year so we are compacting a lot of work into these intense months. I most look forward to strengthening my knowledge and network on the luxury segments, especially in luxury beauty industry and improve my management skills and teamwork among my colleagues coming from different cultures and backgrounds in order to prepare myself for my next career step.
  • What are your professional goals after you finish the MBA?
The fragrances and cosmetics industry is one I feel very strongly about, given the number of years I've spent working in it! So ideally I would like to return and work in the luxury beauty industry, whether in retail, marketing or business development. The year has only just started and I'm sure there are many more opportunities to come, so I will also stay open to ideas and see. I would also really like to work abroad after this MBA for an international company.
  • What advice would you give to someone who is applying to the program?
First of all you must love luxury and see yourself as someone that wish to help luxury brands to shine more and more; this is truly a unique program that specializes in luxury management, so a love of luxury is a prerequisite! Secondly, I think as this is a one year course, time really flies, so it is also important to have an idea which segments you are interested in, and research as much as you can about it. This way as soon as the year starts you can take all the opportunities presented to you relevant to your field of interest. At ESSEC you are presented with a lot of options but unfortunately you don't have the time to deepen everything, so it is good to have a focus; the deeper you can go in a direction, the richer your experience will be.

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

The heart of luxury: Louis Vuitton

By Tiffanie Boggs, MBA in International Luxury Brand Management 2015-2016, USA


In just three short months at ESSEC, our class has already acquired so much knowledge about the luxury industry and one of the sources of the greatest learning has come from visits with leading luxury houses. One of my most anticipated visits was to La Maison de Louis Vuitton, located in the charming town of Asnières-sur-Seine. Louis Vuitton himself built this house in the 19th century so he and his family could be located closer to his workshop. This workshop was the first built by Louis Vuitton in 1859, and today is still making all of the “rare and exceptional” products from the Leather Goods collections and special orders.  

Our visit started with tea, croissants, and pain au chocolats and we learned about the history of the House. We were then given a tour of La Galerie, a 6,500 square-foot exhibition space that displays the special treasures and secrets that have shaped the historical journey of Louis Vuitton. We were each provided with a Samsung Galaxy that was loaded with a specifically designed app that added a digital element to the tour, by not only providing additional information about the exhibits, but also allowing us to transport ourselves back in time. The app allows the smartphone to communicate with the various exhibits using beacon and camera image detection technology and triggers different digital content that links the present to the past. For example, when in the courtyard of the House, we simply needed to point the camera at a wall to display a three-dimensional picture, which allowed us to see what the house looked like in the 19th century. 

La Galerie was curated by Judith Clark, who sifted through the House’s archive of 26,000 objects and 165,000 documents to select 400 items that gives great insight into the rich history of Louis Vuitton. I loved how the objects were displayed and organized on modular wooden planks with wheels, a layout inspired by Gaston-Louis Vuitton’s “Le Pateki” puzzle game.  The ground floor of the exhibition houses a selection of trunks and toiletry kits, showing how Louis Vuitton has played with new shapes of travel over the years. The first floor of the exhibition is more dedicated to fashion, displaying designs from the brand’s past and present Creative Directors, as well as examples of the brand’s numerous collaborations with artists.

It was an amazing opportunity to be given the privilege to enter La Maison de Louis Vuitton and to receive a private tour of La Galeire. Our class was impressed by the beautiful displays of Louis Vuitton’s heritage and savoir-faire and extremely thankful for the warm welcome we received.