Living The High Life: Study Fashion And Luxury In Switzerland

It’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it. 

Careers in the world of fashion and luxury goods require a blend of business skills, industry knowledge, and a deep understanding of consumer behavior in the fashion and luxury sectors. Like show business, the end product may seem glamorous and lucrative, but behind the scenes, there is a lot of hard work and – for most people – a long road to the top.

Career Paths in Fashion and Luxury

Fashion and luxury business careers focus on the strategic, managerial, and operational aspects of these industries. If you’re interested in combining your passion for fashion with strong business acumen, here are some rewarding career paths to consider:

• Fashion Marketing Manager: Marketing managers develop and execute strategies to promote fashion brands or luxury products. They oversee advertising campaigns, social media presence, and brand partnerships.
• Retail Operations Manager: Operations managers ensure the smooth functioning of retail stores or luxury boutiques. They oversee inventory management, customer service, and store layout.
• Fashion Brand Manager: Brand managers are responsible for maintaining and enhancing the image and reputation of fashion brands, such as Rolex watches, Les Elfes luxury summer camps, and Hanro women’s clothing. They develop brand strategies, manage product launches, and monitor market trends.
• Retail Buyer: Buyers select merchandise for retail stores based on customer preferences and market trends. They negotiate with suppliers and analyze sales data to make purchasing decisions.
• E-commerce Manager: E-commerce managers oversee online sales platforms for fashion brands or luxury goods. Projections indicate a 39 percent growth in global e-commerce sales over the coming years, with expectations to surpass eight trillion dollars by 2027. E-commerce managers optimize websites, manage digital marketing campaigns, and analyze online sales performance.
• Fashion Business Development Manager: Business development managers identify new business opportunities and partnerships to expand fashion brands or luxury labels. They negotiate contracts and collaborate with key stakeholders.
• Supply Chain Manager: Supply chain managers coordinate the production and distribution of fashion products. They optimize logistics, manage vendor relationships, and ensure timely delivery of goods.
• Luxury Retail Store Manager: Store managers oversee high-end retail locations, ensuring exceptional customer service and maintaining the brand’s luxury experience. Geneva’s rue du Rhône unites the world’s top brands so that shopping addicts with a penchant for luxury will find their heart’s desire – watches, fashion, jewelry, and sweet delights in the boutiques of Geneva’s master chocolatiers.
• Fashion Financial Analyst: Financial analysts specialize in analyzing financial data for fashion companies. They assess performance, forecast trends, and provide recommendations for strategic decisions.
• Product Development Manager: Product development managers oversee the design and production of new fashion collections or luxury goods. They collaborate with designers, manufacturers, and marketers to bring products to market.
• Fashion Business Consultant: Consultants provide expert advice to fashion businesses in areas like strategy, operations, marketing, or finance. They help optimize processes and drive growth.
• Fashion Public Relations Manager: PR managers handle media relations and public image for fashion brands. They manage press releases, events, and celebrity partnerships to enhance brand visibility.
• Fashion Event Planner: Event planners organize fashion shows, product launches, and other industry events. They manage logistics, and budgets, and coordinate with designers and vendors. In October 2024, Geneva will host the 6th annual edition of the Luxury Innovation Summit, a platform for industry leaders to learn about the challenges of the luxury industry, current Innovation, trends, and entrepreneurial initiatives. 
• Retail Merchandising Manager: Merchandising managers plan and implement product displays and promotions to optimize sales and enhance the customer experience in retail settings.

As you gain industry knowledge and experience and move up the corporate ladder, you will almost certainly combine some of these specialized roles. Getting your foot in the door of this exclusive business sector is key. A tailored qualification from a prestigious business school will provide the needed foot-up.

Qualifications in Fashion and Luxury

While you may think that the primary prerequisite for working in this sector is a strong creative spirit – and in certain roles design and creativity certainly do help – you must remember that fashion and luxury is a business like any other. Management skills are essential. 

So, a basic degree in business is a good starting point. As with many other sectors in this increasingly competitive world, a postgraduate qualification will set you apart from the rest. EU Business School’s Master in Fashion and Luxury Business does exactly that.

Apart from the coursework focusing on advertising strategy, communications skills, innovative thinking, and brand management, the Geneva campus is situated in the heart of one of the world’s great capitals of luxury goods: Switzerland.

Learning from Leaders

EU Business School Geneva has access to some of the leaders of the world’s great luxury brands. EU takes advantage of this access and proximity by inviting business leaders to share their knowledge and skills with EU students.

For example, EU recently hosted an exclusive Learning From Leaders conference by Julien Tornare, the entrepreneurial CEO of luxury watch brand Zenith (LVMH group), who spoke to EU students about the luxury market and what the future holds for the industry. He emphasized the need for luxury brands to innovate to remain relevant and successful with new and younger audiences.

Other speakers in this series of visiting lecturers have included Adrian Hallmark, Chairman and CEO of Bentley Motors Ltd; Lynn Yu, CEO of Jason Wu, the New York-based fashion design house; and Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, former Chairman and CEO of Nestle. 

Final Thoughts

Europe is arguably at the trending centre of the world’s leading fashion and luxury brands. Geneva, Switzerland, is at the heart of Europe. Where better to make your mark in this prestigious sector than at EU Business School in one of Europe’s hubs for exquisite fashion, jewelry, and luxury goods? Learn more about EU’s Geneva campus and our Fashion and Luxury program here.