Luxury Watch: Unpacking the New York Times International Conference

‘Luxury in a Turbulent World’ was the theme of the 2017 New York Times International Luxury Conference, appositely set against the backdrop of Brussels.

Pragmatic and provocative debates were had on some of the most real and relevant issues that businesses are facing, from brands and politics, to a panel that I was speaking on, “Diversity Demands” — a conversation about culture, diversity and the impact on the bottom line with Elizabeth Paton, European Styles Correspondent, The New York Times, and Eric Underwood, Ballet Dancer, Movement Director and Model.

While the focus on consumers and communicating across generations, was hotly debated across many of the panels, balance was afforded by CEOs who talked about what they’re doing on the inside of their brands. Francesca Bellettini, CEO of Saint Laurent, talked powerfully about investing in their people.

The role of retail was the subject of forensic analysis in the panel ‘From Flagship to Ghostship’, with Julie Wainwright, CEO of The RealReal (an online and offline consignment brand), talking about the value of physical retail in building community. The perennial value of the tangible was attested to in the collection of Hermès Birkin bags in the RealReal’s Soho pop-up store in New York that created a truly unique experience.

Commitments to transparency, sustainability and to codes of ethics at LVMH were asserted by Antoine Arnault and debates were had across the spectrum of the group’s brands, with PVH (Steven Shiffman, Calvin Klein), Kering (Stella McCartney on her eponymous brand), Richemont (Geoffroy de la Bourdonnaye, Chloe), and the newly christened Tapestry. CEO Victor Luis provoked food for thought around what’s next for Tapestry, keen to reframe what is being talked about as “the first American luxury group” as a group that is positioned and poised as truly global.

The reinvention of Calvin Klein was passionately addressed by CEO Steven Shiffman. Alongside one of the most acclaimed investments in creativity, Steven’s perspective on brand guardianship and sustaining value in the brand for the long-term, was a lesson to all.

In a world where there’s so much turbulence and change, the conference gave food for thought and a call to action around what we are empowered to change. From how we value and invest in the people behind our brands, to our commitment to a more sustainable world, it begins—and never stops—with people.

My thoughts here on the future of luxury in the New York Times, and check out video of the other panels on the conference microsite.

—Rebecca Robins is Global Director for Interbrand, based in London. She heads up the global luxury practice and global business intelligence, and also runs the Interbrand Academy. Follow her on Twitter: @robins_rebecca

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