Vanessa Friedman welcoming guests to Day 2 of the Luxury Conference in Brussels Nov. 12-14. Image credit: The New York Times International Luxury Conference.
For its 16th annual Luxury Conference, the International New York Times traveled to Brussels, the European Union’s de facto capital where matters of politics, economics and social causes are regularly faced.
Keeping its sense of place, the annual summit, titled “Luxury in a Turbulent World” for 2017, brought together top editors from The New York Times and brand decision-makers to discuss Europe’s future, the politics of luxury, fake news, populism and marketing-based discussions such as generational behavior.
This year’s conference was held Nov. 12-14 at the Steigenberger Wiltcher’s Hotel, located on the Belgian capital’s high-street Avenue Louise.
The International New York Times’ Luxury in a Turbulent World brought together thought leaders, influencers, policy makers, entrepreneurs and high-profile brands to explore how luxury can meet these challenges head on “in a world where the only constant is change and the biggest risk is taking no risk at all” (see story).
The 2017 conference was hosted and curated by New York Times’ fashion director and chief fashion critic Vanessa Friedman.
Day 1:
A cocktail reception Nov. 12 welcomed delegates and speakers to the conference. The welcome party was held at Belgian leather goods company Delvaux's historic flagship found at 27 Boulevard de Waterloo.
Conference attendees enjoying cocktails at Delvaux
Day 2:
Sessions were held in the ballroom of the Steigenberger Wiltcher’s Hotel.
Vanessa Friedman welcoming attendees to the conference on Day 2
From left to right: Geoffroy de la Bourdonnaye, Jean-Marc Loubier, Jonathan Akeroyd and Vanessa Friedman during "The Politics of Luxury" session
Attendees enjoying programming on the first day of discussions
Calvin Klein's CEO Steve Shiffman during his keynote presentation
Laura Pancera, Alexander Gilkes, Francesca Bellettini and Elizabeth Paton discussing the "Age of Populism"
Stella McCartney during a fireside chat with Vanessa Friedman
Cocktail gala:
On the eve of Nov. 13, delegates attended a private tour of the Magritte, Broodthaers & Contemporary Art exhibition at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium. A sit-down dinner was served following the tour.
Attendees enjoying the private museum tour
The dinner was served in the museum's Forum
Gala guests enjoying dinner
Day 3:
Sessions resumed Nov. 14 at the ballroom of the Steigenberger Wiltcher’s Hotel.
Vanessa Friedman welcoming attendees back after a late night out
Victor Luis discussed Tapestry's M&A strategy with Vanessa Friedman
Tiffany's Reed Krakoff and Sonu Shivdasani speaking on creative and business-minded collaborations
McKinsey & Company's Nathalie Remy presented research on millennials
Eric Underwood, Rebecca Robins and Elizabeth Paton chatting about diversity in luxury
Sara Ziff, founding director of Model Alliance spoke to modeling's working conditions
Antoine Arnault's transparency-themed presentation and fireside with Vanessa Friedman closed out the conference's plenary sessions.
All photography of was provided, with courtesy, by The New York Times International Luxury Conference.