Beyond Luxury

An independent luxury brand founder on why comfort, craftsmanship and staying private beat every conglomerate playbook. Edgardo Osorio is the founder and creative director of Aquazzura, a Florence-based luxury footwear and lifestyle brand recognized for its gold pineapple detail. In this episode of Beyond Luxury, a podcast covering luxury industry insights, brand innovation and consumer trends acr...

Daniella Nicola, founder of luxury copywriting consultancy Kensington Copy, breaks down the psychology behind why luxury brands actually sell desire, not product. Her proprietary framework, Dream Awareness, maps exactly how luxury consumers make buying decisions, and in this episode she explains it in detail for the first time. She started by writing under a pseudonym from a 9-to-5. A stranger tat...

Former Global VP of Digital Communications, Strategic Planning and Brand Experience at Louis Vuitton, Martin Mangez-Casey is the architect behind the Louis Vuitton x Formula One partnership, one of the most talked-about brand moments of the last decade. Now running strategy for one of Hollywood's most prominent family portfolios, he has the kind of distance that makes an honest diagnosis possi...

A former LVMH executive is building Ireland's first luxury group. Ashley McDonnell reveals VYKO and the untold story of Irish craft luxury. Ireland has centuries of mastery in wool, linen, whiskey, and knitwear, yet no luxury infrastructure has ever been built around it. Ashley McDonnell spent a decade inside LVMH, Dior, Puig, and Google, studying how the world's great luxury houses scale...

What if we told you AI adoption will make interactions more human than ever? For years, the industry feared that embracing technology could dilute brand value and displace human expertise. Yet in today’s landscape, it is precisely the intelligent integration of technology that allows brands to stay relevant, elevate their equity, and enrich their creative and operational excellence. This time, Car...

In this episode, Geoffrey Perez, Head of Luxury at Snap Inc., shares how luxury is evolving beyond products into experiences, emotions, and deep cultural relevance. He explains how new generations seek meaning, personalization, and emotional value, not just status or objects. With his experience leading luxury partnerships at Snapchat, Geoffrey breaks down how digital platforms offer new ways for...

TL;DR • Ines Alpha talks about her collaborations where creativity thrives within clear constraints. She values working with teams that respect her artistic vision, balancing freedom with specific direction. • Her projects explore blending physical face wear with augmented reality (AR), creating a unique fusion of 3D makeup and digital experiences. Ines worked on both the physical design and AR el...

In this podcast episode, Ines Alpha, a leader in the world of 3D makeup and augmented reality, shares insights into her creative journey, particularly her collaboration with Studio Halia. Ines discusses how she blends the physical and digital realms, emphasizing her passion for constraints in design that lead to true innovation. She highlights her work where physical face wear and makeup are enhan...

TL;DR • Yalda's personal journey highlights how chronic inflammation is at the heart of many widespread health issues—from autoimmune diseases to conditions like cancer, thyroid imbalances, and even depression, proving just how essential it is to address inflammation for long-term health. • The Eat Burn Sleep method focuses on three pillars: food, movement, and mental wellness, designed to reduce...

In this episode, Yalda Alaoui, a leading expert in chronic inflammation and nutrition, shares her journey from the corporate world to becoming a top figure in health and wellness. After battling autoimmune diseases, Yalda spent over a decade researching lifestyle changes to heal herself, discovering the link between chronic inflammation and many modern diseases. This led to the creation of Eat Bur...

TL;DR • Blake shares the importance of team dynamics in early-stage investment, stressing that a capable, well-aligned team is more important than a great idea at the outset. • We delve into how the scalability of business models, particularly in the luxury and tech space, is crucial; and luxury brands need to adapt quickly, with a focus on profitability rather than growth at any cost. • Blake hig...

In this episode, Blake Lezenski talks about his approach to early-stage investing, focusing on the importance of team dynamics and market validation. He highlights that a strong, cohesive team is crucial, even if the idea is still in its infancy. Blake also discusses the shift in digital luxury, stressing the need for immersive, self-expressive experiences in the industry, with AI and blockchain p...

TL;DR • Kai Henry’s career journey started with managing iconic figures like Snoop Dogg and David Banner, providing him with firsthand experience in understanding the intersection of culture and commerce.• He shares his expertise in developing lifestyle brands such as Beats by Dre, SkeeTV, and Sol Republic creating authentic connections between brands and their audiences through cultural relevance...

In this episode, Kai Henry, the visionary behind Fewture Co, shares his journey from managing cultural icons like Snoop Dogg and David Banner to his current work reshaping the creator economy. Kai’s unique ability to blend corporate strategy with cultural insight has allowed him to innovate organizational infrastructures for today’s fast-evolving digital landscape. Kai reflects on his early career...

TL;DR - Brittany Kaiser advocates for delaying social media access until university age, aiming to protect young people’s mental health. She points to the troubling links between social media use and rising mental health challenges, including eating disorders and increased suicide rates among youth. - We delve into blockchain as a game-changer for data ownership, empowering individuals to securely...

In this episode, we sit down with ⁠Brittany Kaiser⁠, the Cambridge Analytica whistleblower turned data rights activist, to uncover the urgent issues shaping our digital future. From exposing the dark side of data misuse to advocating for ethical AI and blockchain solutions, Brittany shares her mission to empower individuals with control over their own information. We dive into the hidden dangers o...

Finally, I am sharing my story! • I’ll share how moving 17 times by age 27 shaped my identity as a global citizen and polyglot. • Pivoting from international relations to diving headfirst into the beauty and luxury industry despite facing a ton of rejection. • Writing Beauty as it Is at age 22, interviewing top beauty leaders, and opening unexpected doors. • My time at Chanel, where I created and...

In this episode,I , Carlota Rodben , share my unconventional life journey that brought me to the luxury world. Growing up as a “third-culture kid” and dancing ballet around the globe, my path has been anything but predictable. I open up about how I broke into the industry by publishing my first book at age 22 and second by 26, turning rejection and owning my own path into a powerful catalyst for s...

In this episode, we dive into the exciting world of AI and its transformative potential for the luxury industry with ⁠ ⁠⁠David Klingbeil⁠. AI and the Luxury Industry • AI has been around for decades, but its recent surge in power and accessibility now allows luxury brands to leverage it at scale. • Luxury executives are no longer questioning whether AI is important, but rather how to apply it mean...

In this episode, we dive into the exciting world of AI and its transformative potential for the luxury industry with ⁠⁠David Klingbeil ⁠⁠, founder of ⁠⁠Submarine AI⁠⁠. We explore how AI is not just about data but about unlocking powerful insights that drive creativity and strategic decision-making. David shares his vision of AI as a tool to enhance—not replace—human creativity, showing how it help...

In this episode, we dive into the ever-evolving world of luxury retail with ⁠Christophe Caïs⁠ , CEO of ⁠CXG⁠ , a leading consulting firm specializing in customer experience. Signature Experience Luxury purchases are more emotionally driven than other purchases. Emotional intention is key to creating memorable experiences that leave lasting impressions. Employee satisfaction results from effective...

In this episode, we dive into the ever-evolving world of luxury retail with Christophe Caïs , CEO of CXG , a leading consulting firm specializing in customer experience. Christophe emphasizes the critical role of emotional intention in crafting a signature experience. He explains that luxury, particularly in the context of selling luxury products, deeply engages emotions. While every purchase is i...

Join us to explore the transformative power of digital product passports and connected items with insights from Natasha Frank CEO of Eon, Pierre-Nicolas Hurstel CEO of Arianee, and Jake Gajdamowicz CEO of Uniqly. They share their unique journeys and how their expertise is driving the integration of intelligence into products, enhancing value and traceability in the luxury market. We'll uncover the...

Join us to explore the captivating world of augmented reality and luxury branding with Geoffrey Perez, Global Head of Luxury at Snap. He shares his compelling career journey, from media agencies, to Yahoo, to his current role, and how his love for fashion and cutting-edge technology seamlessly brought him to Snap. We'll uncover the evolution of digital formats, from vertical videos to immersive AR...

Delphine Tour Helin, Global Beauty Tech Director for YSL Beauty, discusses the future of luxury brand experiences and the innovative intersection between technology and customer engagement. She shares her journey in the luxury industry and how YSL is reshaping luxury beauty experiences. Delphine highlights the importance of creating memorable experiences and the role of technology in enhancing the...