Robert Chavez, Executive Chairman of Hermès of Paris, Will Be Honored by Luxury Education Foundation at Gala
The Luxury Education Foundation will mark its 20th anniversary in 2025 with a series of programs and celebrations culminating in its first gala on May 29 at Christie’s in New York City honoring Robert Chavez, executive chairman of Hermès of Paris,
Established in 2005 with a single program at Columbia Business School, “The Luxury Approach Master Class,” LEF has flourished over the years to cultivate the next generation of luxury leadership through a variety of programs that provide access, belonging and connections to a global community of accomplished executives and brands.
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LEF kicks off this year with a LEF Leaders gathering in Mumbai around LEF brand Sabyasachi, that will celebrate its own 25th anniversary milestone in Mumbai at the end of January. A series of events will also take place in New York in February. Sabyasachi will host an LEF Insider event at their New York flagship featuring a discussion with Sabyasachi Mukherjee on the Indian Luxury Market. In March, the Baccarat Hotel, Christofle and Rémy Cointreau will underwrite an intimate event to showcase the French Arts de la Table. Audemars Piguet will host a breakfast for LEF alumni at AP House in Chelsea.
The events will culminate on May 29 when Hermès’ Chavez, who is also LEF chairman emeritus, will be honored at the first gala organized by LEF at Christie’s in New York. The gala’s full day of programming will feature a conversation with Chavez, a presentation by Boston Consulting Group on AI, a panel on emerging markets and new clientele in the U.S., and remarks by the 16th Columbia Business School Dean Costis Maglaras, who is the David and Lyn Silfen professor of business at Columbia. Limited tickets are available through LEF.
“The Luxury Education Foundation’s unique approach of immersive collaboration between our student body and global leaders of the luxury industry tackling together current real-world projects, has enriched CBS’ curriculum over the last two decades. It is also a factor in distinguishing our school from other Ivy League establishments as the benchmark for luxury education. The foundation’s willingness to expand its support of our students through scholarships and mentorship opportunities that extend beyond graduation, is exemplary in its vision. In addition to the master class and the block week that are part of our ongoing curriculum, LEF’s on-campus fireside chats, one-on-one coaching sessions and Ph.D. Luxury Leadership Series allow students to truly understand the intricacies of the luxury industry,” Maglaras said.
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