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Condé Nast International: the world’s premier luxury and creative business event comes to Cape Town
7 April 2019
The Condé Nast International ‘Nature of Luxury’ Conference, hosted in Cape Town from 10 – 11 April 2019, brings together over 500 senior business and creative leaders from the global luxury industry – from CEOs, Presidents and Managing Directors, to Creative Directors and Designers.
Hosted and curated by Suzy Menkes , Editor of Vogue International, the event offers business leaders a unique networking opportunity and the chance to debate and discuss the latest luxury and fashion industry developments and trends.
The event has travelled the world, taking place in intriguing and diverse locations – from Lisbon, to Muscat, to Florence, to Seoul. This is the first conference of its type to take place in South Africa.
The African continent has become integral to the ever-changing concept of luxury in today’s world, says Menkes. The ‘Nature of Luxury’ theme will explore the artisanal skills and creative talent on the continent, whilst examining the broader landscape of the global luxury market, as well as sustainability.
Day 1 (Wednesday, 10 April) kicks off with a highlight discussion between Suzy Menkes and Marco Bizzarri , President and CEO of Gucci, around the secrets of the global brand’s ongoing success, followed by a session on contemporary African culture with Laduma Ngxokolo, Founder and Designer, MAXHOSA AFRICA.
Throughout the day, speakers will also delve into the fast-growing luxury industry in Africa.
- South African designer and retailer, Hanneli Rupert, creative force behind Okapi and Merchants on Long, will discuss authenticity, sustainability and storytelling in luxury retail.
- Jewellery experts Nicolas Bos , President and CEO, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Alessandro
- Bogliolo, CEO of Tiffany & Co., will share insights into their jewellery powerhouses, and the needs of today’s luxury consumer.
- Joerg Zuber , creator of digital influencer @noonoouri , will scope out the ever-evolving marriage between tech and luxury.
- Uche Pézard of Luxe Corp. Group and Luxury Connect Africa, will examine how African creativity can go global.
- Omoyemi Akerele , Founder and Executive Director, Lagos Fashion Week/Style House Files, will address the significance of collaborative working.
- Folake Coker , Founder and Creative Director of Nigerian brand Tiffany Amber, will share her ambitions for the industry in general.
- Laudomia Pucci will discuss Africa as a source of inspiration for the brand’s prints and fabrics.
- Rosario Dawson and Abrima Erwiah , Co-Founders of Studio One Eighty Nine, based in New York and Accra, will take to the stage with Suzy Menkes and Master of Ceremonies Jo-Ann Strauss , to share how they are creating fashion with a meaning.
Day one will close with an extremely rare on-stage interview with Laurence Graff OBE , Chairman and Founder of Graff. Having handled more diamonds than any other diamantaire of our time, Laurence Graff is uniquely positioned to speak about gemstones from Africa, responsible business, art and much more.
Day 2 (Thursday, 11 April) takes a clear focus on business and responsibilities in a world where sustainability and environmental issues are more prominent than ever.
- Bruce Cleaver , CEO of De Beers Group, will discuss the role of sustainability in the session ‘A Diamond is Forever’.
- The recently-appointed CEO of Salvatore Ferragamo, Micaela le Divelec Lemmi , will share her plan for reinventing the billion-plus Florentine house.
- Designer Christopher Raeburn with Sylvie Bénard , Environment Director of LVMH and Jochen Zeitz, Co-Founder and Co-Chair, Zeitz MOCAA; Co-Founder, The B Team; Founder, Zeitz, will together discuss how business and creativity can drive sustainability.
- Justine Schafer , Creative Director of Cape Cobra will speak on sustainable manufacturing.
Simone Cipriani, Head and Founder, Ethical Fashion Initiative at the International Trade Centre, will explore the use of ethical supply chains for the luxury industry. A discussion between Roberta Annan, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Impact Fund for African Creatives and Yvonne Fasinro, Founder, Adara Foundation will explore the growth and development of creativity in Africa.
For the full speaker list, visit https://2019.cniluxury.com/.
