IPOL Conference 2023
Luxury Endangered
1-3 June 2023
The Bargehouse, Oxo Tower, London







Speakers: Shaun BorstrockVeronica ManlowTheo FennellPeter BellerbyGordon RitchieMaria GrachvogelSacha RoseMargaret MacLeodKathryn SargentChristopher Berry
The 6th international In Pursuit of Luxury Conference in 2023 will be presented by The School of Creative Arts, University of Hertfordshire and held at the Bargehouse, Oxo Tower on London’s Southbank.
We will bring together a diverse and dynamic group of academic and industry experts whose opinions help to shape our understanding of how we consider the constantly changing luxury landscape.
Luxury Endangered
What makes an object a luxury product?
Is the work of an artisan or craftsperson essential to the creation of luxury? Can luxury by definition be produced in an industrial process, or must we take into account the expertise and knowledge of the maker? Many large scale luxury brands have designers who create an item, whether it is a garment, architectural fixture or interior product. Once these items are designed they are made not by artisans but often by factory workers each responsible for a different aspect of the manufacture.
What features exemplify and extraordinary experience?
Within the world of experiential luxury in flagship stores, restaurants, hotels, in the air, on the road on the sea the standards of service are continually enhanced. What does this mean to the luxury consumer in the real world, and in relation to defying the parameters of a luxury experience?
Luxury endangered will question the notion of luxury as it is currently constituted within a globalised consumer market where luxury brand narratives dominate. Within this configuration the specific skills of a craftsperson are commodified as are the services.
What informs our decision making around criteria used to classify luxury goods and services? Working in collaboration we will expand our understanding to articulate parameters that constitute luxury. These conversations will be engaging, challenging and undoubtably contentious. Our interest is to bring about change through these conversation.
Our Organisers

Dr Shaun Borstrock | University of Hertfordshire

Dr Veronica Manlow | Brooklyn College
Keynote Speaker

Theo Fennell | Jeweller
In Conversation with

Professor Christopher Berry | University of Glasgow
Speakers

Margaret MacLeod | Sales Director, Harris Tweed Hebrides

Kathryn Sargent | Master Tailor, Kathryn Sargent Bespoke

Sacha Rose | CEO - Derek Rose

Gordon Ritchie | Managing Director - Crombie

Peter Bellerby | Founder - Bellerby & Co Globemakers

Maria Grachvogel | Founder - Maria Grachvogel London
Programme

Day 1 (Click To Expand)

Day 2 (Click to Expand)

Day 3 (Click to Expand)
Conference
Thursday
01 June 2023
08:30 – 09:00
Registration
09:00 – 09:10
Welcome & Introduction

Shaun Borstrock

Veronica Manlow
09:10 – 10:00
Keynote
Talking about the current state of luxury, craftsmanship and jewellery.

Theo Fennell
10:00 – 10:45
Panel: Materials and The Planet and Technology
James Campbell discusses with the panel the impact of technology on the work of luxury – from additive manufacture to blockchain and NFTs.

James Campbell

Mark Bloomfield

Jonathan Rowley

Daniel Martin
10:45 – 11:00
Break
11:00 – 12:00
Panel: Textile and The Hand
Shaun Borstrock discussing approaches to using textiles in the panel’s work – from master cutting to weaving, draping and printing.

Shaun Borstrock

Kathryn Sargent

Margaret MacLeod

Maria Grachvogel
12:00 – 13:00
Arity Group
James Campbell discusses sustainable mining and its impact on the world of jewellery. A discussion around the world of mining, from gemstones to precious metals.


James Campbell

Daniel Martin

Juan Pablo Castro Castañeda

Ismael Doug Fleing
13:00 – 14:00
Lunch
14:00 – 16:00
Papers: Politics and Power of Luxury

Federica Carlotto

Esterina Nervino

Gregorio Fiori Carones

Tahni Candelaria
16:00 – 17:00
Communication: Branding and Communication Strategies
In conversation with Andrew Ferguson discussing the impact of branding and communication on the perception of luxury.

Sacha Rose

Peter Bellerby
Andrew Ferguson
18:00 – 20:00
Drinks Reception
Exhibition & Workshops
Thursday
01 June 2023
10:30
Exhibition Opens
09:30 – 15:30
Make a Pendant 3 Day Workshop (Day 1)
11:00 – 13:00
Make a Bracelet 2 Hour Workshop
14:00 – 16:00
Make a Bracelet 2 Hour Workshop
Conference
Friday
02 June 2023
08:30 – 09:00
Registration
09:00 – 09:10
Welcome & Introduction

Shaun Borstrock

Veronica Manlow
09:10 – 10:00
Professor Christopher Berry in conversation with Veronica Manlow about the influence of his seminal book, The Idea of Luxury.

Professor Christopher Berry
10:00 – 10:45
Panel: Luxury Endangered
The authors of Crafting Luxury discuss their book with James Campbell.

James Campbell

Mark Bloomfield

Shaun Borstrock

Silvio Carta

Veronica Manlow
10:45 – 11:00
Break
11:00 – 12:00
Panel: Shaun Borstrock discusses Innovation and the Future of Luxury

Shaun Borstrock

Gordon Ritchie (Crombie)
12:00 – 12:45
Presentation: The Sound of Luxury

Alexandra Baaske

Pawel Kossecki
12:45 – 14:00
Lunch
14:00 – 16:00
Papers: Luxury Supply Chain

Veronica Manlow

Virginia Grose

Fabian Faurholt Casaba

Bruce Montgomery
16:15 – 17:00
Bellerby Globemakers Demonstration
An amazing insight into the wonderful world of globemaking by one of the last remaining globemakers in the world.

Peter Bellerby
Exhibition & Workshops
Friday
02 June 2023
10:30
Exhibition Opens
09:30 – 15:30
Make a Pendant 3 Day Workshop (Day 2)
11:00 – 13:00
Make a Bracelet 2 Hour Workshop
14:00 – 16:00
Make a Bracelet 2 Hour Workshop
Exhibition & Workshops
Saturday
03 June 2023
10:30
Exhibition Opens
09:30 – 15:30
Make a Pendant 3 Day Workshop (Day 3)
11:00 – 13:00
Make a Bracelet 2 Hour Workshop
14:00 – 16:00
Make a Bracelet 2 Hour Workshop
Supported by














For further information about our conference programme, please contact our coordinator Nicholas Thomas (info@inpursuitofluxury.com) or complete the contact form below, providing a statement of your background, interests and the areas in which you wish to contribute.