Hello

I have been accepted to both ESSEC's MBA in Luxury Brand Management and SDA Bocconi MBA with Track in Luxury Business Management. My desire would be to have a managerial position in the luxury industry.

On one hand, ESSEC's master is a specialised master and I am aware it has many contacts in the industry which is very important. Also it's held near Paris, where most of the big luxury holdings offices are located. But maybe the content in general business management is less and I am not sure if this is actually what Luxury companies are looking for. On the other hand Bocconi's MBA seems to be more prestigious or complete but it seem to not have such as many contacts and the luxury experience seems to be shorter.

Does anyone have an insight on this programs?

Many thanks

Unless you speak Italian, I would go for ESSEC. SDA Bocconi's location is much, much better but while the SDA luxury kids go to Rome, ESSEC is itself a luxury power-house.

Also see: Luxury & Luxury Brand Management http://www.find-mba.com/board/24603

Many thanks for your response. It is true that Milan's MBA is more central located but also it is only for a year so not a very big deal for ESSEC :)

I do speak French and Italian fluently so hope that'll help!

Many thanks again!

Hi I'm also in a similar position but HEC Paris is in the mix too. Which is better? I speak French but not Italian.

Very similar: http://find-mba.com/lists/top-business-school-by-speciality/top-business-schools-for-luxury-brand-management

[Edited by Duncan on Jun 16, 2015]

Do you think that ESSEC's specialized program in luxury is more appropriate for a career in this field than the school's general Global MBA program? I want to work in luxury, and I want to go to ESSEC, but it seems like the Global program would give me a bit more flexibility, in case I can't break into luxury...

The Luxury MBA is still an MBA. Just because they teach you the accounting of luxury firms does not mean you cannot understand the accounts of a different firm. However, generally, all firms want to develop brand equity so I think a luxury MBA is very useful. And, of course, you can leave luxury off your CV.

That's a good point.

Hi ant321, the ESSEC Luxury MBA is great if you are 100% that you want to work in the luxury industry because they have the best contacts in the business and a really good career service. If you aren't 100% and want to widen your options, the Global MBA is also great.

You don't have to speak French to do these courses...many students don't! If you wish to work in France however you will struggle to find a job unless you speak French, so in the end it depends on what you want to do.

I am not familiar with the other program so I can't help you out there sorry!

Goodluck!