I sat down with Sarah Martin, Commercial Director (ANZ) for Parfums Christian Dior, whose career spans some of the most iconic names in beauty, including Chanel, Estée Lauder, and L’Oréal. Sarah shares a grounded perspective on how luxury retail teams can scale without diluting desirability, and how brands can meet a consumer who now arrives informed, values-driven, and ready to be met at a higher standard.

We take a look at how data can sharpen the retail experience without replacing the human touch, why bricks and mortar still matter in a digital-first era, and how strong retail partnerships are built through shared goals, trust, and evidence, not ego.

Inside this Episode:

1. What “retail excellence” means in prestige beauty, beyond the surface
2. How the informed, values-driven consumer is reshaping luxury service expectations
3. Why brand alignment matters as much as product knowledge for beauty consultants
4. How Dior uses reporting, performance insights, and NPS to refine retail strategy
5. Why physical retail remains essential for sensory storytelling and immersion
6. What omni-channel luxury looks like when it is done properly
7. How to strengthen retail partnerships through shared outcomes and evidence
8. The future of prestige beauty retail, including AI-driven personalisation and human connection

Whether you work in luxury beauty, premium retail, brand strategy, or customer experience, this conversation offers practical frameworks for protecting desirability while building scale, consistency, and trust.

CHAPTER MARKERS:

00:00 Introduction

00:32 Sarah Martin’s Journey into Luxury Beauty

02:38 Understanding Prestige Beauty and Consumer Behaviour

04:12 Scaling in Luxury Beauty

05:37 The Role of Data and Insight in Retail

07:30 The Importance of In-Store Experience

11:02 Retail Partnerships and Collaboration

14:32 Balancing Global and Local Strategies

16:58 Future Trends in Luxury Beauty

20:12 Advice for Aspiring Luxury Professionals

LINKS:

www.luxeconsumeriq.com

www.luxeconsumeriq.com/newsletter

https://www.instagram.com/luxeconsumeriq/

https://www.youtube.com/@luxeconsumeriq

In this solo Inside the Method episode, we unpack how luxury brands use brand health tracking to monitor long-term brand strength — beyond short-term performance or campaign results.

We explore how metrics like awareness, consideration, preference, and emotional resonance are used in practice, why luxury brands focus so heavily on the top and middle of the funnel, and why meaningful movement in brand health takes time.

This episode is for marketers and brand leaders working in luxury or premium categories who want to understand how long-term value and desirability are measured — and defended — over time.

LINKS:

www.luxeconsumeriq.com

www.luxeconsumeriq.com/newsletter

https://www.instagram.com/luxeconsumeriq/

https://www.youtube.com/@luxeconsumeriq

What does it really take to prove marketing effectiveness in the world of luxury automotive? Join us for an insider’s look as Gavin Merriman, Marketing Director at Jaguar Land Rover Australia, unpacks the metrics that matter, the creative strategies that move the needle, and the pitfalls that even seasoned marketers encounter.

In this episode, we go beyond surface-level reporting to explore how leading luxury brands align measurement with board-level priorities, balance long-term brand equity with short-term wins, decode the true meaning behind marketing effectiveness metrics.

Discover how creativity and data can work hand-in-hand, why understanding the “desire-driven” luxury consumer is critical, and what it takes to turn marketing missteps into strategic advantage.

Inside this Episode:

1. The real KPIs that drive luxury brand growth and profitability
2. How to interrogate data and avoid the trap of vanity metrics
3. Strategies for balancing long-term brand building with immediate sales goals
4. Insights into the mindset and motivations of luxury automotive consumers
5. Lessons from marketing missteps—and why rigorous testing matters
6. Practical advice for breaking into the luxury marketing sector

Whether you’re a luxury brand manager, marketing strategist, or aspiring to enter the world of high-end automotive, this conversation delivers frameworks and insights to sharpen your approach.

CHAPTER MARKERS:

00:00 Emotional Decision-Making in Luxury Purchases

00:56 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:03 Journey into Luxury Automotive

01:56 Metrics That Matter in Luxury Marketing

02:23 Evaluating Marketing Effectiveness

05:18 The Role of Creativity in Data-Driven Marketing

11:02 Understanding the Luxury Purchase Journey

15:46 Balancing Long-Term Brand Building and Short-Term Performance

19:11 Rational vs. Emotive Purchases

20:50 Luxury Car Buyer Archetypes

22:22 Common Mistakes in Luxury Marketing

25:49 The Importance of Evidence-Based Marketing

28:34 Advice for Emerging Marketers

32:22 Pinch Me Moments in Luxury Automotive

LINKS:

www.luxeconsumeriq.com

www.luxeconsumeriq.com/newsletter

https://www.instagram.com/luxeconsumeriq/

https://www.youtube.com/@luxeconsumeriq

Mark Ritson Mini MBA: https://minimba.com/

Byron Sharp: https://marketingscience.info/

Binet & Field (60/40 rule): https://www.amazon.com/dp/085294134X

IPA: https://ipa.co.uk/

How do luxury brands turn raw data into meaningful action? In this episode of Luxe Consumer IQ, we reveal how leading luxury brands move beyond intuition using layered consumer insights to refine brand strategy, elevate customer experience, and drive growth.

Explore the five essential layers of luxury consumer insight: behavioural, shopper experience, cultural, category/market, and brand perception. Discover how to connect these layers to build powerful narratives that guide decision-making and set your luxury brand apart.

Inside this episode:

1. Where actionable insights originate in luxury brands (from retail, CRM, leadership, and more)
2. The five key types of consumer insights every luxury marketer needs to understand
3. How to craft compelling data-driven stories that influence strategy and brand positioning
4. A step-by-step formula for transforming data into strategic action
5. How to avoid data overload and focus on what truly matters for luxury business growth
6. Real-world examples of insight-driven decisions in the luxury sector

Whether you’re a luxury marketing manager, brand strategist, or aspiring professional, this episode delivers practical frameworks for leveraging consumer insights to enhance desirability and drive results.

Subscribe for more expert content on luxury marketing, brand management, and consumer behaviour.

CHAPTER MARKERS:

00:00 Introduction

00:58 Understanding Insight in Luxury

02:25 The Five Layers of Consumer Insight

05:07 Framework for Actionable Insights

08:00 Storytelling in Luxury Marketing

09:30 Practical Application in Retail

13:48 Final Thoughts and Next Episode Preview

LINKS:

www.luxeconsumeriq.com

www.luxeconsumeriq.com/newsletter

https://www.instagram.com/luxeconsumeriq/

https://www.youtube.com/@luxeconsumeriq

How do luxury brands use data without losing the intuition and creativity that define them? In this first episode of a two-part series, we explore how data has become an essential tool for luxury professionals not to replace instinct, but to sharpen it.

Discover how the most successful luxury marketers and strategists marry creative judgment with evidence-based insights to understand consumer behaviour, strengthen decision-making, and unlock growth opportunities that intuition alone might miss.

Inside this Episode:

1. Why data matters in luxury marketing and brand strategy
2. How to interpret consumer behaviour through evidence, not just intuition
3. The modern approach to consumer observation in luxury brands
4. How data fluency creates competitive advantage in luxury careers
5. Bridging the gap between creative instinct and analytical evidence
6. Real-world examples: surprising insights from the champagne luxury market
7. Why one in three marketers struggle with data interpretation and how to avoid it
8. Transforming data into strategic narratives that resonate with leadership

Whether you're a luxury brand manager, marketing director, strategist, or aspiring luxury professional, this episode offers practical frameworks for leveraging data to enhance consumer understanding and drive meaningful growth.

Subscribe to the Insight Atelier newsletter for exclusive frameworks and tools to enhance your strategic skills in luxury marketing and brand management.

CHAPTER MARKERS:

00:00 Introduction

01:45 The Role of Data in Marketing

02:44 Understanding Consumer Behaviour Through Data

03:54 Sources of Data in Luxury Marketing

04:38 The Power of Data in Strategy

05:17 Case Study: Champagne Market Insights

07:20 Building Confidence with Data

09:50 The Importance of Data Skills for Marketers

10:49 Conclusion and Next Steps

LINKS:

www.luxeconsumeriq.com

www.luxeconsumeriq.com/newsletter

https://www.youtube.com/@luxeconsumeriq

https://www.instagram.com/luxeconsumeriq/

What does it really take to get stocked in Harrods, Galeries Lafayette, or Selfridges — especially if your brand wasn’t born in the expected luxury hubs of Europe?

If you’re building a modern luxury brand without legacy, today’s episode takes you behind the scenes — with someone who does this every single day. And not just gets brands in — but gets them supported, nurtured, and set up to succeed with the right sell-through strategy.

You’ll hear what top-tier buyers are actually looking for, what makes them say yes, and the signals they watch to decide who stays — and who doesn’t.

And that’s not all. Our guest also moves in the celebrity circles that shape desirability — securing placement for her clients on names like Nicole Kidman, Courteney Cox, Richard Gere, and more.

So stay with us — because we’re unpacking how to break through without compromising brand equity, and how to pitch your brand to high-end retailers in a way that gets you stocked, supported, and positioned to compete alongside the biggest names in luxury.

Inside This Episode:

What top luxury retailers like Harrods and Selfridges actually look for when choosing new brands

• Why becoming a “hot brand” matters more than product quality alone
• The commercial realities behind sell-through, merchandising, and in-store execution
• How to assess whether your brand is truly ready for wholesale — from pricing to positioning
• The strategic signals that help new brands stand out in a saturated luxury market
• How to leverage celebrity partnerships and influencer marketing for luxury branding
• Actionable tips for scaling your luxury business from wholesale to direct-to-consumer (DTC) online
• The role of relationships, networks, and cultural nuance in luxury retail success
• Whether you’re building a modern luxury label, preparing to pitch buyers, or working inside a brand that wants to scale, this episode gives you a clear, practical roadmap for breaking into top-tier distribution and growing without legacy.

#LuxuryBranding #DigitalRetail #LuxuryConsulting #FashionBusiness #LuxuryMarketing #WholesaleSuccess #BrandStrategy

CHAPTER MARKERS:

00:00 Introduction to Geopolitics in Luxury Branding

00:26 Oxana's Journey from Model to Consultant

00:42 Breaking into the Fashion Industry

04:13 Challenges for Modern Luxury Brands

05:21 Importance of Visibility and Branding

09:49 Operational Excellence in Retail

17:55 Strategic Growth and Market Penetration

21:00 The Role of Relationships and Networking

28:49 Celebrity Endorsements and Partnerships

31:07 Final Advice and Personal Reflections

LINKS:

https://www.oxanapopkova.com/

www.luxeconsumeriq.com

www.luxeconsumeriq.com/newsletter

https://www.instagram.com/luxeconsumeriq/

https://www.youtube.com/@luxeconsumeriq

Inside the World of Luxury: What It's Really Like to Intern in Paris | Grace Klepetka

When most people envision the luxury industry, they picture high-end fashion shows, exclusive designer ateliers, and impossibly polished showrooms. The image is one of seamless sophistication and effortless elegance.

Behind that immaculate facade lies a world that's just as dynamic and unpredictable as any other creative industry. Today, we're exploring this fascinating paradox through the experience of Grace Klepetka, an emerging voice in luxury who's navigating this world from her base in Paris.

In this episode, Grace shares her journey from Princeton economics to luxury management at Emlyon Business School, revealing what luxury brands really look for in interns and how to break into the competitive world of high-end fashion and luxury consulting.

What You'll Learn:

✨ How to land luxury internships in Paris and contribute to projects for maisons like Balenciaga, Chanel, and Bulgari

✨ The myth vs reality of what it’s actually like working in luxury fashion

✨ The essential skills luxury brands look for — from French fluency to design thinking and brand strategy

✨ A day in the life of a luxury consultant in Paris

✨ The privilege and pressure of working across iconic luxury maisons early in your career

✨ How to transition from business school to luxury management roles

Whether you're studying fashion management, luxury marketing, or dreaming of a career at prestigious fashion houses, Grace's insights offer a roadmap for breaking into the luxury industry.

CHAPTER MARKERS:

00:00 Introduction: The Challenges of Breaking into Luxury

00:40 Guest Introduction: From Princeton to Paris

00:55 Journey to France: A Gap Year Experience

03:46 Day in the Life: Working in Paris

05:08 Agency Life: Surprises and Responsibilities

07:27 Cultural Adjustments: Navigating French Work Culture

13:44 Education and Skills: Bridging the Gap

17:29 Advice for Aspiring Luxury Professionals

30:25 Conclusion

LINKS:

www.luxeconsumeriq.com

www.luxeconsumeriq.com/newsletter

Decoding Desire: The Symbolic Power of Luxury Brands | Dr. Anne-Flore Maman-Larraufie

Desire is the most powerful currency in luxury. It's what separates a brand from a product — and builds value that lasts across campaigns, markets, and generations.

But how is desire actually created? And what makes some brands irresistible, while others struggle to spark that emotional connection?

Today, we're unpacking the psychology of luxury with Dr. Anne-Flore Maman-Larraufie, founder of Sémioconsult, Academic Director at École Polytechnique Executive Education, and former Academic Director of ESSEC Business School's Master program, which houses the prestigious LVMH Chair in Luxury Brand Strategy.

Dr. Maman-Larraufie has worked with houses like Cartier, LVMH, and L'Oréal, helping them decode the symbolic architecture that creates desire, loyalty, and enduring brand value.

Inside This Episode:

→ How luxury brands create desire through strategic scarcity

→ The role of semiotics in decoding brand meaning

→ Why myths and archetypes build emotional resonance

→ Protecting symbolic value in digital and global markets

→ Adapting brand narratives across cultures without dilution

→ The hidden architecture that makes certain brands unforgettable

Whether you're a luxury consultant, brand strategist, marketing professional, business school student, or simply fascinated by consumer psychology and brand storytelling, this is a rare opportunity to hear from one of the top academics shaping luxury brand management at Europe's leading institutions. Insight you won't find in case studies or trend reports.

CHAPTER MARKERS

00:00 — Introduction: Desire and Rarity in Modern Luxury

00:41 — Dr. Anne-Flore Maman-Larraufie: From Engineering to Semiotics

01:42 — The Dual Meaning of Luxury: Symbolism Beyond Products

05:46 — The Power of Storytelling in Luxury Brand Strategy

06:24 — Myths and Archetypes: Building Timeless Brand Narratives

14:44 — Creating Desire Through Exclusivity

22:35 — Semiotics in Practice: Elevating Brand Value

29:02 — Luxury in the Digital Age: Challenges and Strategies

34:44 — Brand Consistency: Why Every Touchpoint Matters

34:55 — Common Mistakes in Digital Brand Expression

35:23 — Managing Social Media Content with Strategic Intent

36:40 — Luxury Brands and Market Rarity: Balancing Supply and Desire

38:24 — Adapting Brand Storytelling for Global Markets

42:28 — The Risks of Over-Adaptation in Brand Strategy

49:22 — Strategic Growth Management: Scaling Without Dilution

53:46 — Working in Luxury: Insights and Advice for Emerging Professionals

HASHTAGS:

#LuxuryInsights #ConsumerInsights #LuxuryBranding #LuxuryStrategy #BrandStrategy #InsideLuxuryBrands #BrandSymbolism #PremiumBranding #GlobalLuxury #Semiotics #LVMH #ESSECBusinessSchool #LuxuryMarketing #BrandStorytelling #LuxuryManagement #ConsumerPsychology #LuxuryMindset

CONNECT WITH DR. ANNE-FLORE MAMAN-LARRAUFIE:

Sémioconsult: https://www.semioconsult.com/en/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annefloremaman/

LUXE CONSUMER IQ:

www.luxeconsumeriq.com

www.luxeconsumeriq.com/newsletter