Exclusive Event

London: Wednesday 15th March at 2pm GMT / 9am EST at Istituto Marangoni London
New York: Wednesday 22nd March at 5:30pm GMT / 1030pm EST at Spring Place, Manhattan

DISCUSSIONS OF TODAY’S EVOLVING LANDSCAPE:

WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF LUXURY?

Issa PR will host its third annual “Future of Luxury” symposium in London and New York City in March 2023. The event will include strategic dialogue among global leaders from some of the world’s top luxury companies. The speakers will discuss the future of the ever evolving luxury industry, sharing trends, forecasts and important industry themes such as sustainability, D&I, and the future of luxury in fashion, design, technology, entertainment, media and publishing. This year’s talk will take place at prestigious fashion and design school, Istituto Marangoni London, who is celebrating their 20th Anniversary of the London school this year.

Moderated by …

VIET N’GUYEN, FOUNDER & CEO OF ISSA PR

A dynamic leader & strategist with over 20 years experience, which includes working at Edelman, #1 agency in the world building their luxury & lifestyle division. Vanity Fair named her on the “Downtown 100” list of most inspirational people in NYC. New York Business Journal voted her a “Woman of Influence” in 2018. She has lectured at New York University’s School of Business, Stern on “The Intersection of Luxury & Philanthropy”, and future of the industry. PR Week selected Viet for their Power Book of most powerful people in PR in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Meet your speakers …

ALEXANDRA CARELLO |
PR & Communications Specialist

Alexandra’s extensive international career history has seen her specialise in luxury brand communications. With over 15 years’ experience in the fashion industry and specialising in PR, Alexandra has worked for the world’s leading brands. Beginning her professional career in the Louis Vuitton Press Office, Alexandra moved to Burberry before managing teams at Jimmy Choo, then establishing and running the Global Communications Team at NET-A-PORTER. Alexandra’s experience spans global leading fashion publications, working directly at Vogue, Tatler and Glamour. Beyond her extensive fashion career, Alexandra is a committed chair of the Royal Marsden’s first official committee, directing the world-renowned hospital’s annual programme of events to help them raise money and stay at the forefront of cancer research and technology.

GEOFF NICHOLS |
Fashion Photographer

Geoff Nichols is a London-based photographer specialising in fashion and beauty imagery. His work has been published in media internationally, including Pump and Elegant (California), Red Milk (Milan) and an upcoming edition of Malvie (France). He regularly covers London Fashion Week and has worked with a number of brands, such as Rocky Starr and Rohmir, as well as numerous designers such as from Paul Costelloe, Aadnevik, Buerlangma and many others this season. He started his career by receiving formal training during his time in the British Army where he photographed politicians, performing artists and royalty, including His Majesty King Charles.

SUJATA BURMAN |
Editor, London Design Festival & London Design Biennale

Sujata Burman is a writer and editor based in London specialising in design and culture. She was Digital Design Editor at Wallpaper* Magazine before moving to her current role of Editor at London Design Festival and London Design Biennale where she is expanding the content offering of the showcases. Over the past decade, Sujata has written for global design and culture publications, and has been a speaker, moderator and judge for institutions and brands including RIBA, Marie Claire and Design Miami/. In 2019, she co-authored her first book, An Opinionated Guide to London Architecture, published by Hoxton Mini Press, which was driven by her aim to make the fields of design and architecture accessible to wider audiences.

LILY LAM |
Fashion Stylist

A graduate of London College Of Fashion, Lily began her career working alongside cutting edge designers at Blow PR. She has worked with Mercury Records, styling a number of upcoming bands and now iconic artists, such as Icona Pop, Dirty Pretty Things, and Just Jack. Lily has also shot for NME Magazine and Clash with musicians and bands, including Bobby Gillespie, Kasabian and Noel Fielding. Based in East London she has recently been working with ZERO.NINE Magazine, styling actress Maria Almedia and other upcoming actresses from Netflix and other acclaimed films.

BEAR |
Chief Innovation Instigator

Bear is the founder and Chief Innovation Instigator for Ear Micro, a pioneering new audio technology company that produces micro computers and a new era of in-ear headphones. With over 35 patents – the majority in the earphone, headphone, and hearables space – Bear was responsible for designing the very first smart, app-enabled headphones for audio stalwart Denon Electronics in 2011, which ushered in the age of the ‘hearable’ as it is known today. Ear Micro are designers and engineers, who have created and launched the world’s first hearables concealed within fashion and accessories that enable wearers to listen to music, converse with AI assistants, and interface with phones, apps, and other IOT connected devices – right from their ears. Key press has included Robb Report, Engadget, Hypebeast and Trendhunter.

CASEY KLUGMAN |
Founder &
Creative Director
Les Monts Sunglasses

Casey Klugman is founder and Creative Director of Les Monts, a luxury handcrafted sunglasses brand, made with an artist’s attention to detail. With nearly a decade of experience in the eyewear industry, Klugman was formerly the lead designer of Tura Inc.’s Ted Baker collections. Within five years, Klugman was responsible for bringing all Ted Baker Men’s & Women’s eyewear to market, a period in which his collections received several design accolades. Klugman’s latest endeavor Les Monts is born from fearless creativity and fine craftsmanship. With a commitment to give back, the brand partners with Mental Health America to support destigmatizing mental health. The brand is made by creatives for creatives, representing a creative society that embraces their unique purpose. Les Monts has been featured in Surface Magazine, Por Homme Magazine, Imperium and Relentless Magazine. Klugman was educated at the University of Michigan Stamps School of Art & Design.

ELIZABETH SUDA |
Founder, ARTICLE 22 Jewelry

Elizabeth Suda is the founder of sustainable fashion label, ARTICLE 22 featuring the Peacebomb Collection of jewelry transformed by Laotian artisans from Vietnam War bombs. Fashion turned into impact. A virtuous cycle, each piece helps MAG (Mines Advisory Group) clear unexploded ordnance, making land safe and providing new metal to artisans to craft more original favorites and new designs. Elizabeth studied History at Williams College and Oxford University but she didn’t learn about the Secret War in Laos 1963-1974 until she witnessed the legacy of unexploded ordnance while living in Laos. She discovered that 80 million bombs had not yet exploded and created the Peacebomb bracelet with the idea of buying back the bombs. Since then, ARTICLE 22 has developed into a global business, selling an evolving collection of jewelry to customers in 40 countries, and includes collaborators like model Angela Lindvall and actress Emma Watson. Key press has included Vogue, The LA Times, PBS Newshour, NBC, Wall Street Journal and Marie Claire.

IGEE OKAFUR |
Editor in Chief,
BOND OFFICIAL Magazine

Founder and Editor-in-Chief of BOND OFFICIAL Magazine, is a personal style connoisseur whose significant point of view on essential articles of men’s clothing has sealed his position as an industry authority. Born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, Igee moved to the United States and attended St. John’s University, where he studied business and marketing. Igee started contributing articles for Jones magazine and The Source in the spring of 2014. Igee has since positioned himself as a distinguished exemplar of conviction, entrepreneurship, and artistry. During his time as Editor-in-Chief at BOND OFFICIAL, Igee has secured collaborations with some of the industry’s most respected tastemakers, including Mr Porter, GQ, and more.

To join the discussion or for key insights following the symposium, please email info@issa-pr.com.