Chiara Kalmbach
Online Program Participant
The live sessions, case discussions, and open exchanges fostered a strong sense of connection among participants from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.
From early on, I have been passionate about the luxury industry and the way it blends creativity, craftsmanship, and strategic thinking. While my professional experience has been in the industrial sector, this interest has remained a constant throughout my academic journey. This is what led me to choose the Unveiling World of Luxury Management online certificate program at HEC Paris to explore the luxury sector from an academic perspective.
I am currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in International Management in Switzerland. Alongside my studies, I chose to enroll in this online course at HEC Paris, as the flexible and fully online format allowed me to continue learning while managing my academic commitments. I was also drawn to HEC Paris for its strong academic reputation and recognized expertise in luxury management, which made the program particularly relevant to my interests.
Throughout the program, I developed a deeper understanding of how luxury brands build identity, manage exclusivity, and navigate evolving consumer expectations. Through real-world cases and topics such as brand strategy, sustainability, innovation, and customer experience, I gained a comprehensive understanding of the luxury industry. This perspective helped me see how global luxury houses balance heritage with innovation in an increasingly complex and competitive environment.
Although the program was delivered online, the learning experience was highly interactive and engaging. Live sessions, case discussions, and open exchanges fostered a strong sense of connection among participants from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds. I learned as much from these interactions as from the course content itself, as different perspectives continuously challenged my way of thinking and broadened my understanding of the industry.
Balancing the academic rigor of the program alongside my undergraduate studies was demanding, but also extremely rewarding. It strengthened my analytical and strategic thinking while further developing essential soft skills such as communication, adaptability, and cross-cultural awareness.
This experience confirmed my ambition to pursue a career in the luxury industry. I would highly recommend this program to students and young professionals seeking a flexible yet rigorous introduction to luxury management. It offers a strong global and strategic perspective, particularly for those looking to transition from other sectors or enrich their academic journey.