Luxury Craftsmanship: The Artisan Experience

When & Where?

On-Campus: June 17 - 28 Summer 2024

This program is being adapted for Summer 2025 to meet the evolving needs of the luxury industry.

We invite you to pre-register your interest for an advanced program in the field of Luxury in 2025 to be informed of further developments.

Why this Summer Program?

Artisan artists that have been overshadowed for so long by star artistic directors are stepping into the limelight and luxury houses are constantly on the lookout for talent emerging from the workshops, understanding the value that the craftsmen bring to their brand and showing great ability to work with them. Artistic craftsmanship brings together the values of our times: the local 'made in' branding, the drive for durability (high quality raw material, know-how and pieces that are designed to last a lifetime), and the 'human touch' of the craftsmen involved in the product creation.

The program is designed for participants who want to strengthen their skills in luxury management, while understanding and experiencing the specificities of the backbone of luxury which is craftsmanship. Participants will benefit from the exceptional complementarity of the HEC Paris faculty and Campus Versailles craftsmen and speakers, while their stay will be enriched by the proximity of the Parisian luxury ecosystem.

• Academic expertise with selected faculty
• Hands-on learning experience through applied workshops
• Live sessions led by multiple industry experts
• Additional online study material 
• Accessible to students of all backgrounds with an interest in luxury
• Opportunity to collaborate with international peers through group work
• Complementary visits
• Earn an HEC Paris / Campus Versailles certificate following successful completion of the program 

I have applied to this program as I am very aware that understanding craftsmanship is crucial when working with luxury goods since it allows you to appreciate the intricate details and exceptional quality that distinguish these items from mass-produced products. As these pieces are hand-made, each one is unique. This knowledge not only enhances the ability to create and evaluate luxury items but also deepens the appreciation for the heritage and skill involved in their production. Furthermore, as an aspiring product manager, it is essential to understand how these products are made, and the terminology craftsmen use to facilitate better and easier communication with them. 

Sabina Axente, upcoming Louis Vuitton intern and participant at Luxury Craftsmanship

Content Overview

French luxury has reached global recognition of its expertise in producing luxury goods and experiences. Conscious of the unique value of their renowned trades and professions, luxury brands have been taking actions by actively preserving their qualified artisans and their exceptional suppliers.  

In unique collaboration between Campus Versailles and HEC Paris, this program has been crafted to provide an exceptional learning journey with academic expertise and hands-on experience. It will immerse you in the extraordinary diversity of these artisans, make you understand their true value to the luxury business and the way luxury brands can sublimate their work. This also is a learning by doing journey during which participants will have the unique opportunity to experience the diverse dimensions taught in the program. 

The program emphasizes the essential role of creation and crafts in the luxury sector. It will enable participants to understand how the world of coveted creations and skills honed for centuries can be meaningful in modernity and critical to the success of the luxury sector today.

Learning Objectives

During this exceptional summer program participants will discover the diversity of crafts and their specialities and achieve familiarity with the luxury sector, its products and services and their reliance on "métiers d'art" (craftsmanship). They will perceive and experience the critical role of know-how and professions of excellence in the luxury business.

Upon successful completion of the program participants will be able to:

• Understand the close relationship of craftsmanship to art, culture and the French heritage.
• Analyze the unique characteristics of the supply chain and the value of exceptional suppliers
• Describe and analyze the sustainability orientation of such supply chain
• Understand know-how as a powerful vector of communication and value creation
• Establish a link between know-how, local heritage, sustainability and ecological transition in the luxury eco-system
• Envision luxury as an exceptional sector from a creative, managerial and societal perspective.

Assessment

All participants are expected to be in class, come with questions and participate in group discussions and workshops.

Grading will be determined according to the following factors: Presence & Participation, Individual Assignments, Group Project.

Participants will work throughout the program on a team project inspired by one of the heritage crafts. This provides the opportunity to apply the learnings from the classroom to a real-life product or service idea. All projects are presented for peer review at the end of the program.

Participants who successfully complete the program will earn 5 ECTS credits.  Full attendance is required to obtain the Program Certificate.

All students who are seeking credit are encouraged to consult their home academic institution to validate credit transfer.