The 10 participating companies were: Desigual, Etam Group, UNIQLO, Kering, Le Chemiseur, LVMH, OTB, TK Maxx, Valentino, and Wayfair. The career forum’s keynote speaker was Emmanuel Gintzburger, worldwide retail and wholesale director at Yves Saint Laurent.
Discovering brand cultures
Having worked in the luxury retail field, American full-time MBA student Lorilea Zabadal said she particularly enjoyed the presentation by OTB, the parent company of iconic fashion brands such as Diesel, Maison Margiela, Marni and Viktor&Rolf. “OTB’s presentation was like having all the concepts of sustainability, motivational theory, and corporate social responsibility come to life,” she said, adding that she made valuable contacts with a few companies, and learned to step out of her comfort zone to talk to other students.
First-hand company experiences
RSM MBA student Neeti Ghildiyal said she also enjoyed networking with MBA students from other schools, and learning about company cultures. “It’s one thing to see the brand stores and see their ads on TV or in a magazine, but it is completely different to talk to one of the company’s employees and get a first-hand account,” said the Indian student from RSM’s full-time MBA. “The brands were really open to have a conversation with the students.”
MBA career forum
In total, 200 MBA students and alumni from ESADE, HEC Paris, RSM, Bocconi University, London Business School, IESE, and INSEAD attended the career forum, which took place on 20 February 2016 at specialised recruitment agency Robert Walters in Paris, France. The RSM participants were from the International Full-time MBA Class of 2017, the Executive MBA Class of 2015, the Global Executive OneMBA Class of 2014, and the International Full-time MBA Class of 2016.
The next edition of the Retail & Luxury MBA Career Forum will take place in Milan, Italy.