09:00 - Chair's opening remarks Denis Morisset, Executive Director, ESSEC MBA in International Luxury Brand Management (France) Chair's opening remarks Denis Morisset Executive Director, ESSEC MBA in International Luxury Brand Management (France) Denis has worked for more than 20 years in the Luxury Fashion Industry and occupied CEO/COO positions with companies such as Polo Ralph Lauren (Europe), Pierre Balmain and Giorgio Armani (France). Denis’ particular focus and passion is emerging markets. He has collaborated with international companies on brand extensions & branding issues. His advice has also been invaluable to new brands and [read more]

09:15 - Developing a unique brand voice that communicates to the Middle Eastern luxury customer Philippe Charriol, President and CEO, Philippe Charriol Group CHARRIOL was founded by Philippe Charriol in 1983, who believes "the spirit of creativity is the most significant expression of the spirit of independence."Drawing on his experience of successfully launching CHARRIOL, Philippe will draw on insights into the luxury customer to detail how to create a unique brand voice through the messages you convey and experiences you offer. Understanding the affluent consumer to create relevant luxury experiences while preserving brand values Ensuring you are maintaining your core brand message Philippe Charriol President and CEO, Philippe Charriol Group Philippe Charriol was 40 when he left his job as executive director of a prestigious watch and jewellery company to found his own company. He was aware of the remarkable knowledge of prestige brands among up-and-coming generations, particularly in Asia, and of their immense respect for fine objects crafted in harmony with traditional forms of know-how. The brand is now present in over 78 countries [read more]

09:45 - La joie de vivre - insights into VIVRE revolutionary retail journey Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti, CEO, VIVRE Eva is the visionary and the driving force behind VIVRE, a uniqueretail experience available by catalog, website and (coming soon) specialty stores. She has been hailed as a "mail-order magnate" by TIME and "one of the fashion industry's ten most stylish women" by VOGUE. This enthralling presentation will be her first appearance in Asia where she will reveal: The journey of VIVRE and its unique retail concept Creating a lifestyle to engage your customer Future forward - the vision of Vivre and succeeding through a downturn Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti CEO, VIVRE Global citizen and true style maker, Eva is the visionary and driving force behind the multifaceted world of VIVRE. By focusing on living with style through carefully cultivated collections of one-of-a-kind and unexpected pieces found around the world, Lorenzotti has created an alternate universe of fantastic escape via a highly personalized shopping experience. Beginning in 2000 as an editorial-b [read more]

10:15 - Delivering inspirational dreams through the interplay of design and luxury Tony Ward, Fashion Designer, Tony Ward Couture Unlike conventional businesses that targets consumers, luxury goods place trust in the artistic vision of a designer to lure consumers. The refined elegance of Tony Ward's creations consistently bring his clients back time and again. In this special address Tony will draw on his experience of engaging luxury consumers by creating a dream for them to aspire to. Tony Ward Fashion Designer, Tony Ward Couture Tony Ward, is one of the most creative contemporary designers. He achieved great success at the Italian Haute Couture fashion shows where he has been presenting his Haute Couture collections since more than ten seasons during the Italian fashion week.Drawing his early inspiration from his family atelier, he pursued his education in Paris where he refined his talent with Gianfranco Ferre' at the Ma [read more]

10:45 - Coffee & networking break Nathalie Veysset, Managing Director, Dewitt (Switzerland) Coffee & networking break

11:15 - Insights into the Harvey Nichols perspective of luxury retailing Joseph Wan, CEO, Harvey Nichols Joseph has overseen the growth of Harvey Nichols from a domestic one store business to a business of high international with overseas stores covering Riyadh, Dubai, Istanbul and soon Kuwait. Its expansion programme, both domestic and overseas, is continuing and this is a result of their success as a leading luxury retailer. Drawing on his experience of over 20 years in the luxury industry, Joseph will discuss in his enlightening presentation: Examining opportunities for growth in the Middle East luxury sector Identifying and assessing luxury consumer insights Developing retail concepts that appeal to the Middle East Joseph Wan CEO, Harvey Nichols Joseph became the Chief Executive of Harvey Nichols in August 1992, having previously been the Group Finance Director for five years of Dickson Concepts which has its headquarters in Hong Kong and engages in the distribution of luxury brands in the Far East. Since August 1992, Harvey Nichols have grown from a domestic one store business to a business of high international reputation and its portfo [read more]

11:45 - PANEL: Examining changes to the retail model in the Middle East and the impact luxury consumer buying behaviour Joseph Wan, CEO, Harvey Nichols Joe Nahhas, Regional Director, Montblanc Sonya De Castelbajac, Regional Director, Yves Saint Laurent Beauty Middle East The unique mix of locals, expatriates and the infrastructure development of shopping malls makes retail in the Middle East unique. Additionally, the recent entrance of multi-brand department store has increased choice for the consumer. As a luxury brand how do these changes affect you and your strategy? Assessing the impact of increased number of mono-brand boutiques combined with existing retail outlets on consumer buyer behaviour Weighing up the advantages of street level versus shopping malls as means to reach out to your consumer Addressing the entrance of new international chains and the impact on where luxury consumers buy their goods Joseph Wan CEO, Harvey Nichols Joseph became the Chief Executive of Harvey Nichols in August 1992, having previously been the Group Finance Director for five years of Dickson Concepts which has its headquarters in Hong Kong and engages in the distribution of luxury brands in the Far East. Since August 1992, Harvey Nichols have grown from a domestic one store business to a business of high international reputation and its portfo [read more] Joe Nahhas Regional Director, Montblanc Joe’s extensive experience lies in Luxury Goods, Retail, Loyalty Marketing and CRM. He is responsible for the overall development of Montblanc across the Middle East region including brand strategy and distribution management. Sonya De Castelbajac Regional Director, Yves Saint Laurent Beauty Middle East Sonya de Castelbajac is the Regional Director for the YSL Beaute brands in the Middle East & India. She has lived and worked with luxury brands in the region for eight years since completing Masters Degrees in Business (Luxury Brand Management, ESSEC) and the Arts (Tisch School of the Arts, NYU).

12:30 - Lunch Nathalie Veysset, Managing Director, Dewitt (Switzerland) Lunch

13:45 - Optimising principal, distributor and retailer relationships to ensure synergy Marc Abadie, Middle East Regional Director, Harry Winston Effective partnership is critical to ensure steady sales and revenue generation for all parties. This session will examine how best to optimize the working relationships between principals, distributors and retailers to ensure you make it through the current environment. Implications of the downturn and how this impacts working relationships between principal, distributor and retailer Examining where distributors and retailers need more support and how brand can provide it Acting as a consultant to enable your retailer to drive steady sales Ensuring the principal, distributor and retailer relationship is mutually beneficial Marc Abadie Middle East Regional Director, Harry Winston

14:10 - PANEL: Ensuring a win-win scenario for malls and tenants despite the economic crisis Carmine Rotondaro, Worldwide Real Estate Director, Gucci Group The current environment has meant that the power has shifted slightly into the hands of the tenants. Whereas before mall space was hard to come by, brands are now assessing closely where to locate their boutiques and on what terms they negotiate. Each mall will have an opportunity to present what makes them unique and the strategies they are implementing to woo brands and customers. This panel brings together both brands and malls to debate how best they can collaborate effectively. What do brands really want from mall developers? Ensuring a close working relationship between mall and tenant to ensure both needs are met Examining trends in mall and property development in the Middle East and what it means for your business Carmine Rotondaro Worldwide Real Estate Director, Gucci Group Carmine Rotondaro is the Worldwide Real Estate Director of the Gucci Group, for which he has been serving for the last six years. In such a capacity, he coordinates the real estate needs and projects of all the Gucci Group brands and divisions which include, beside Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Sergio Rossi, Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga.

14:45 - Successfully launching an Asian luxury brand - the Qeelin story Guillaume Brochard, CEO & Founder, Qeelin Guillaume brings with him 15 years' of worldwide experience in luxury brand and company management to develop an exceptional brand set to breathe creativity and modernity into Chinese arts and craftsmanship. Launched in Paris 2004, Qeelin quickly became an international brand. Qeelin is an outstanding success story of a China's first luxury brand and drawing on this experience, Guilllaume will detail: Developing a start up luxury brands in a high competitive marketplace Successfully breaking through a crowded marketplace as an Asian luxury brand Qeelin's innovative approach to designing and marketing their collections Guillaume Brochard CEO & Founder, Qeelin Guillaume brings with him 15 years' of worldwide experience in luxury brand and company management to develop an exceptional brand set to breathe creativity and modernity into Chinese arts and craftsmanship. Guillaume also served as CEO of the TAG Heuer operations in Hong Kong and President and CEO of the Swiss watch manufacturer, Ebel S.A.

15:15 - Creating the optimal retail environment that differentiates your brands and engages your luxury consumer Carmine Rotondaro, Worldwide Real Estate Director, Gucci Group Carmine coordinates the real estate needs and projects of all the Gucci Group brands and divisions which include: Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Sergio Rossi, Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen and Balenciaga. Your boutique is the physical manifestation of your brand values and should resonate with your consumer and drawing on this experience he will detail: Evolving retail strategies and concepts to positively impact your luxury brand The latest in retail store designs and store construction Assessing architectural aspects of the retail experience Carmine Rotondaro Worldwide Real Estate Director, Gucci Group Carmine Rotondaro is the Worldwide Real Estate Director of the Gucci Group, for which he has been serving for the last six years. In such a capacity, he coordinates the real estate needs and projects of all the Gucci Group brands and divisions which include, beside Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Sergio Rossi, Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga.

15:15 - Coffee & networking break Nathalie Veysset, Managing Director, Dewitt (Switzerland) Coffee & networking break

16:00 - Meet the Leaders in Luxury roundtables Joseph Wan, CEO, Harvey Nichols Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti, CEO, VIVRE Marc Abadie, Middle East Regional Director, Harry Winston Would you value face time with leading personalities and minds of the luxury industry? Find it hard to ask the questions you want to when key speakers are on stage? This year we are introducing informal roundtable sessions so you can get up close and personal with the leaders that drive the luxury industry. This is a unique and once in a lifetime opportunity to spend intimate time with these key speakers.How it works:Each table is comprised of 15-20 delegates. There will be 2 session of 20 minutes and each participant will have the opportunity to visit 2 tables. Each session will comprise of informal Q&A and discussion. At the end of the session roundtable hosts will feedback to the audience the main highlights of their individual discussions. Insights into the Harvey Nichols perspective of luxury retailingLed by: Joseph Wan, CEO, Harvey Nichols Optimising principal, distributor and retailer relationships during a downturnLed by: Marc Abadie, Middle East Regional Director, Harry Winston La joie de vivre - insights into VIVRE's revolutionary retail journeyLed by: Eva Jeanbart Lorenzotti, CEO, VIVRE Joseph Wan CEO, Harvey Nichols Joseph became the Chief Executive of Harvey Nichols in August 1992, having previously been the Group Finance Director for five years of Dickson Concepts which has its headquarters in Hong Kong and engages in the distribution of luxury brands in the Far East. Since August 1992, Harvey Nichols have grown from a domestic one store business to a business of high international reputation and its portfo [read more] Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti CEO, VIVRE Global citizen and true style maker, Eva is the visionary and driving force behind the multifaceted world of VIVRE. By focusing on living with style through carefully cultivated collections of one-of-a-kind and unexpected pieces found around the world, Lorenzotti has created an alternate universe of fantastic escape via a highly personalized shopping experience. Beginning in 2000 as an editorial-b [read more] Marc Abadie Middle East Regional Director, Harry Winston

17:00 - Chair's closing remarks and close of conference Nathalie Veysset, Managing Director, Dewitt (Switzerland) Chair's closing remarks and close of conference