Back in September, Condé Nast International revealed the first details
of its inaugural luxury conference ‘Hard Luxury’ helmed by Vogue
International editor Suzy Menkes, and now it has unveiled the initial
speaker line-up, which includes designers Jonathan Anderson, Roberto
Cavalli and Chloé’s creative director Clare Waight Keller.

Set to be held next year at Florence’s 13th century Palazzo Vecchio
from April 21-23, the conference has unveiled that the keynote speakers
will be Antoine Arnault, CEO of Berluti, and David Lauren, executive vice
president of global advertising, marketing and corporate communications for
the Ralph Lauren Corporation.

They will be joined by the likes of Van Cleef & Arpels president and
CEO Nicolas Bos, designer Tory Burch, Chloé president Geoffroy de la
Bourdonnaye, Salvatore Ferragamo CEO and group managing director Michele
Nors, Lanvin artistic director Alber Elbaz, and Hermès CEO Axel Dumas.

In addition to Gucci president and CEO Patrizio di Marco, Saks Fifth
Avenue president Marigay McKee, Emilio Pucci CEO Laudomia Pucci di
Barsento, and designers Jeremy Scott and Iris van Herpen.

With more speakers yet to be announced, Condé Nast International is
putting together a strong line-up for its first luxury conference, which
has been titled ‘Hard Luxury’ to discuss the challenges faced by luxury
brand leaders in the new business climate – one that is rapidly being
redefined by technology at seemingly every turn.

Menkes explains: “The Hard Luxury Conference will discuss: tough times
for big brands; high tech in competition with high heels; how handbags are
moving from leather to lifestyle; the challenge for watches and high
jewellery; technology reshaping sales at wholesale and retail; the shifting
position of designers in brand hierarchies.”