How to Successfully Join a Luxury Brand: Expert Insights & Real-Life Strategies
Written By Sacha Milazzo-Mercier
Breaking into the world of luxury fashion is a dream for many, but the road to landing a position at a prestigious brand can often feel unclear. Whether you're freshly graduated, making a career pivot, or aiming for growth within the fashion and luxury sector, understanding how these iconic brands recruit and hire is essential.
As someone who has spent over 17 years recruiting for top luxury companies, I’m here to share the strategies that can help you secure your dream job in the luxury industry. From gaining relevant experience to leveraging transferable skills, here’s a guide to help you navigate the luxury business model and position yourself for success.
Understanding the Luxury Business Model
Luxury brands operate under a business model unlike most other industries. They maintain tight control over their value chain, from product design and manufacturing to sales and distribution. Top-tier brands such as Louis Vuitton, Hermès, and Christian Dior usually manage these operations in-house, which offers unique opportunities across different departments.
Key Areas of Opportunities in Luxury:
Retail and Distribution 🛍️ :
Luxury brands emphasize client-facing roles and in-store experiences, creating the first point of contact for customers.
Manufacturing 🧵:
The production of premium, meticulously crafted products is at the heart of the luxury sector.
Supply Chain 🚚 :
The complexity and efficiency of supply chains are vital to ensuring that the high-quality products reach customers around the world.
Where to Begin: Practical Entry Points
Gain Experience in Retail (Start Early!) Working in retail, particularly in luxury boutiques, is one of the best ways to gain exposure to the brand’s values and customer service standards. Even seasonal roles, such as holiday positions, are great for learning luxury selling techniques firsthand. Many of the successful careers I’ve seen in the luxury industry began with retail positions and grew into roles in HR, marketing, operations, and more.
Join Suppliers or Agencies Connected to Luxury If you’re interested in communications, digital marketing, events, or product development, consider working with agencies or suppliers that collaborate with luxury brands. This will allow you to build valuable industry connections and gain expertise that will be highly relevant when applying for roles at top brands.
Career Transitions: Leveraging Transversal Skills
Utilize Your Transversal Skills Transversal skills such as languages, project management, and data analysis are highly sought after by luxury recruiters. My own journey into luxury HR roles was greatly enhanced by my multilingual background (French, Italian, and English) and my expertise in psychology, which proved valuable in talent acquisition.
Target Strategic Roles If you're transitioning from a different industry, aim for departments where luxury brands are open to external talent. These often include:
Sales & Distribution: Customer-centric roles are great entry points for newcomers.
Supply Chain & Operations: Experience from other sectors such as automotive or consumer goods can be attractive to luxury brands.
Digital & E-commerce: Digital skills from fast-paced consumer industries are increasingly in demand in luxury brands.
Consider Education for Career Shifts While it’s a significant investment, pursuing an MBA or a specialised master’s degree can be a strategic move for those making a career shift into luxury. For example, Elena Pintor Fernandez , one of our panelists, successfully transitioned into luxury after completing her MBA, networking, and demonstrating her dedication during her studies.
Future-Proof Your Career: Growth Areas in Luxury
Manufacturing & Craftsmanship There’s a renaissance in manufacturing and craftsmanship, as luxury brands are investing heavily to preserve traditional techniques while expanding production capabilities. For example, Prada’s €60 million investment in expanding its knitwear production and Brioni’s high tailoring school are key examples of this shift. These developments present exciting opportunities for individuals passionate about craftsmanship.
Sustainability Sustainability is now a core pillar of luxury fashion. Luxury brands are integrating eco-conscious practices into their operations. Companies like Chanel, which aims for net-zero emissions by 2040, and Stella McCartney, who innovates with sustainable materials, are leading the way. As sustainability continues to be prioritised, there will be increasing demand for professionals passionate about environmental responsibility.
Digital Innovation Digital transformation is reshaping luxury fashion, enhancing customer experiences and operational efficiency. Brands such as Louis Vuitton and Burberry are leveraging AI and other technologies to improve supply chains and enhance customer interactions. If you’re digitally savvy, there are numerous opportunities to work with luxury brands on the forefront of digital innovation.
Real-Life Inspiration: Success Stories
Throughout my career, I’ve witnessed many professionals successfully transition into luxury roles from diverse backgrounds. Whether it’s moving from fast fashion to luxury retail or switching industries entirely, the key is to remain strategic, persistent, and open-minded. For example, one candidate moved from a supermarket chain into a luxury buying role, a transition that flourished into a long-term career.
Your Next Steps: Recommendations
Build Experience Early: Start building your luxury experience as early as possible, even during your studies.
Leverage Your Skills: Show luxury brands what makes you unique by highlighting your transversal skills.
Network Actively: Connect with industry professionals through internships, jobs, and educational programs.
Stay Informed: Follow evolving trends in luxury and digital innovations to stay ahead of the curve.
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