Today Italy's top fashion news, business and trend publication Fashion Magazine released my latest research article on China's anticorruption campaign and how it is affecting the strategies in today's fashion, luxury and accessory brands (in Italian, see pgs. 34-36 of the sfogliabile edition online or read the article at the following link). It reports on the broad effects which not only clothing brands are encountering in China, but also how yachting, airline, wine and spirit, hotels, bars, jewelry and watche brands are altering their course to cater to both the old and new rich in Mainland China. The term gifting per se finds its place historically in Confucianism and is based on the three pillars of society: courtesy, respect and relationship building. That's the good gifting which can be also found in the western world. It should not be confused with the more "grey" side of gifting, utilized only for obtaining an advantage with respect to public or private officials. International brands need to be aware of how the vast majority of the 1.3 billion population adheres to their government's new austerity plan and thus adjust their marketing, retail and promotion strategies during this so-called new normal phase of development. Fashion Magazine will also be distributed during the Milano Unica and Linea Pelle trade exhibitions currently taking place in Milan.
I am quite pleased with the progress made by PGDS Consulting's professional advise to the fashion, luxury and education industries during 2014. I am positive about the future and the expected turnaround of business conditions in Europe during 2015-2016. Last May I was invited by the Turkish Clothing Manufacturer's Association to speak about how local brands can build long-term strategies to develop their businesses. My full presentation about "How to be a Brand" can be downloaded at the following link. Also, see my full interview in Turkish, following that of Alberta Ferretti and before London based designer Antonio Berardi, made by local and international top model Tülin Şahin's ile Moda program on StarTV at the following link (starting at 37min45sec).
During 2014 I also proudly taught several eMBA, MBA and undergraduate seminars and courses in the fields of Luxury Brand Management, China Luxury Market, Licensing, Fashion Marketing and International Marketing. I am particularly proud of my continued relationships (now counting 5-7 years!) with Fondazione CUOA (and Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Università di Padova (and University of Michigan-Dearborn) and the International University of Monaco, all of which have provided me with a platform upon which to grow as a person, researcher, educator and businessman.
Without the support and openness of professional associations like Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, Altagamma, Pitti Immagine Uomo or Fortune Character Institute in Beijing, I certainly would not have been able to learn from or meet so many of the distinguished managers in the Italian and international luxury fashion industry, such as Mario Boselli, Paolo Panerai, Paolo and Benedetta Zegna, Armando Branchini, Filippo Cavalli, Brunello Cucinelli, Umberto Angeloni, Annalisa Tarquini, Tina Zhou, Paolo Bellamoli and Romano Cappellari. Thanks to these persons' professional time and commitment, I am able to be an integral and fundamental part of the Italian and international luxury fashion system.
Since 2008 these stepping stones have brought me to be accepted on the faculty of Italy's top financial daily Il Sole 24 Ore and their International Master in Luxury Management. It's their Business School's first full-time English program which begins in November and where I will be presenting a seminar in Luxury Fashion Licensing. Other faculty members already on board include Bain & Co., BCG, Bulgari, Brioni, Ferragamo, Diesel and Maserati. Challenging company to be a part of, but my experience and confidence tell me that it will be a pleasure to share my know-how with students and the future business class.
Looking forward to an exciting Autumn 2014 season! See you on the street, at work and at the shows.
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