Hi, I am Aastha, 23 yr old girl from India (have about 2.5 yrs of work ex in Finance sector). I wish to study MBA in Luxury brand Management. Since, this is a kind of unheard of subject in India, Im disillusioned. Desperately need advice on kind of schools and countries to apply to, expected job types and prospects, expected salary packages, competant gmat scores, financial aid, etc. (also kindly brief about what this course is all about) ..also if i could get in touch with some1 already pursuing it/or pursued this course..Some ppl are also suggesting not to go in for such a specialised course and limit my options, but I see myself working in luxury apparel/accessories sector.....HELPP!!!!!! pleaseeeeeee..as Im looking towards applying for 2009 Intake...

Hi Aastha,
Don't worry, outside India luxury brand management is not that unusual as a subject! Even if it is not the most common specialization, you have a choice of MBA programs in Europe and the US offering this kind of concentration (the only Asian school I know is Tsinghua University in China).

Have a look at this threat: http://www.find-mba.com/board/3931
It gives you some ideas on the question, I suggest that you use the research function of this board to discover other related discussions (http://www.find-mba.com/board).

Besides I hope you know that you should have 3 years of work experience in management positions, most good programs require that - If you start the research now and prepare your application, you'll probably fulfill this condition. Also you might be one of the youngest students in the MBA if you do it now.

Are you ready to leave India and do your MBA abroad? Do you have the financial possibility to do it?
If you need more info, don't hesitate!

Attiya

Hi Attiya ,

Thanks a lot to have taken time out to read and reply to my post. I did read the thread that you have sent before posting the current one. However, it seemed to be an old one so I went forward to post a new one. I am ready to go wherever to pursue my dreams, however France sounds more exciting since I know the language. Well, the threads don't answer my doubt about the job prospects after such a course and avaliability of campus placements. (I tried to get in touch with the schools themselves to get my queries answered too, but to no help!!) Would it be possible for you to address to these questions, and how strong are my chances of getting through colleges like ESSEC, EM lyon, Paris graduate school of management, etc??...I have a Gmat score of 640 and 2.5 years of work ex till date.

You might also want to check out this:

http://www.find-mba.com/board/5609

As Attiya says, this is a topic which has come up quite a lot on the board, and one that I've commented on a few times. So don't be disillusioned. Especially as from what I've read in the press the last few years, India is increasingly fertile ground for luxury brands. Surely it's only a matter of time before your choice of MBA takes off? If you can find somewhere to suit you, I have a feeling you'll be ahead of the curve, and therefore in a great position career-wise. I agree with you, though: that in order to get the absolute most possible out of an MBA in luxury brand management you need to be at a b-school in the US or EU (perhaps even the UK specifically), if at all possible.

I may, of course, be wrong, and I'd welcome any further comments you, Attiya, or any other Indians reading this might have to offer.

Best,

lukeh

Thanks Aastha, for posting this query. I am 33 and have been keenly looking out at good study programs in the same field too.

Attiya/ Lukeh - thanks for your responses too. It has been helpful for me to follow the threads posted by you.

Can anyone please also advise w.r.t. to job & earning prospects, goodwill in the market, etc. for a Master's Diploma and not a recognised degree program offered in the same stream by some of the schools. For me duration is important and this one : http://www.polimoda.com/english/frame/1_six.html in Italy seemed of interest to me for two reasons. One, it has quite a compressive course content. Two, compressed in less than 1 year, as suitable for me.

Since the next batch intake is for Jan 09, I'm in quite a dilemma to rush or not! PLEASE help.

Hi,
I just started my research on luxury brand management and was picking up names of universities from many FINDMBA threads. When i further researched on ESSEC, it was a dream,as i had always been looking for this particular specialization in mba and the university has the right industry contacts as well (with its alumini having made projects with leading brands like tods,lvmh group,gucci,hermes etc.). The only issue is that i have a work experience of only a year, where as they require a minimum of 7yrs!..I would really appreciate it if someone can advice me on anyother well reputed universities(in France or elsewhere) where i can pursue the same mba wt my background.

Hi,
To reply to the above post, most reputed uni's would ask for a work ex of min. 3 years, other uni might offer you diplomas, or cert but for it to be any worth to you i would suggest you stick with masters, and wait till you get a work ex of 3 years atleast, in case you do desire a career in managing luxury brands please note that it is a very risky propoganda if you dont have the right qualification and experience. Alternate ways would be to pursue an Mba, or masters in similar fields & gain exprnce. and when you have just started it is advisable to not pick a specialization so early, and to weigh options first. i hope i was of any help.

Mark Jenson

Hi Mark,
Thanks for offering your advice and i do agree that this branch requires the right qualifications and experience, which is what i want to get at. Its just that i am extremely keen on working with luxury brands and hence want to work towards what i should to get there. A Masters in Luxury Brand Management seems perfect, but yes related options can be looked at as well. Maybe Masters in brand management or an MBA in the same..
Regards,
Avantika

I would also want to mention that i have done a four year B.A Hons. Programme in Fashion Merchandising and am currently working with a designer in India. Hence my inclination towards this field.

[email protected]

Thanks a lot Mark, yes i feel i should concentrate on gaining more work expreience and then look into such a specialization. But also, as i am keen on getting a certain qualification(an MBA or Masters) as soon as possible (as i am currently just a graduate and my growth is stunted if i remain so) i can most probably look into Masters in Brand Management or International Marketing or an MBA in the same.
Thanks a lot for taking out time to reply to my post, your advice was of great help.
Avantika

Hi Avantika,

Have also looked into programs dealing with design? there is a new wave of MBA Program that are offering focus on design, some of them looking quit promising - like the California College of the Arts (CCA) MBA Program.

Read this article about new the new MBA Programs with focus on design:

http://www.find-mba.com/article/304/mba-programs-in-design-and-the-arts

and also this interview with the head of the design Program at CCA:

http://blog.find-mba.com/category/media-design/

David

Hi Astha... My name is Pooja and I am 23 yrs old as well. I have been working in the luxury segment in India for the past one year...all i can say is that its still very nascent! Infact I also have been inclined to do my MBA in luxury brand mgmt.I have serached on essec and its faculties and other course details...and seems to be quite satisfying! Have you already applied anywhere? if yes...please do let me know.... and other importnat details like....about the job prospects...financial aid..etc...I may be late for 2009 intake...but the details will help me a lot...Awaiting! thanx..

Hi all.. I would like to ask few questions.. Currently i'm taking my MBA at Asian Institute of Management Philippine and i'll be graduating December 2009... And i'm really interested in taking the specialization in luxury brand management. Can anyone give me some information on how to continue my MBA course to it in particular?

Thanks a lot...

Hi all.. I would like to ask few questions.. Currently i'm taking my MBA at Asian Institute of Management Philippine and i'll be graduating December 2009... And i'm really interested in taking the specialization in luxury brand management. Can anyone give me some information on how to continue my MBA course to it in particular?

Thanks a lot...

Thanks Bianca, but too bad i don't get a chance to go for the exchange. Is there any other chance to do it?

Thanks Bianca, but too bad i don't get a chance to go for the exchange. Is there any other chance to do it?

well, you can't continue an MBA program - once you get it, it is a done thing. you can however, as bianca stated, get another degree(MBA or PhD), or just take some courses independently - which IMO is better, as it would take less time, and would probably bring more then taking another MBA(not really sure how recruiters react to a person with 2 MBAs - they may think that something is wrong.....)

hi there,
Just want to straighten things up. Applicants for the MBA in International Luxury Brand Management at ESSEC must have a minimum of Three years experience. Not Seven as mentioned above. This is the only accredited MBA in this concentration in the world. But you need to remember that Luxury is still a "niche" market.
Best,

Hi everyone,

I am currently working with Salvatore Ferragamo in India and its been 1 year. I am looking to study in the coming year but its becoming really tough for me to chose as to which college and which course to take up. I would be primarily looking to do a Masters and not a Diploma neither a certificate course in Luxury or Brand Managment. My choice of colleges would be Polimoda in Florence or Istituto Marangoni in London. Both have the course im looking for but im finding it hard to choose. Please Helpp..!!