IPOL Conference 2023

Luxury Endangered

1-3 June 2023

The Bargehouse, Oxo Tower, London

Speakers: Shaun Borstrock

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

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)

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.