Lessons in luxury

The day began with a bespoke lunch where each guest could request whatever meal their heart desired, to be interpreted by the luxury hotel’s skilled chefs. Dishes included a platter of fruits de mer, gnocchi with gorgonzola and wild mushrooms, and the chefs’ interpretation of ‘the future of lobster’. 

After lunch, The Future Laboratory co-founders Chris Sanderson and Martin Raymond took the attendees through a global market overview. Further presentations focused on the opportunities and challenges facing the luxury sector, new trends, such as Virtual Opulence and Seasonless Style, new luxury consumer tribes and the Luxury Index – a quantitative view of how consumers view the industry. 

Speakers included Niccolò Barattieri di San Pietro, CEO of Northacre, Thomas Kochs, general manager of Claridge’s, Sarah Watson and Alexandra Hoffnung, founders of The Net Set from Net-A-Porter Group, and Nick Knight, founder of SHOWStudio, in conversation with creative consultant Mimma Viglezio.

The Big Picture: For more insights into the luxury sector, buy our Luxury Futures 2015 report here.