Former Global VP of Digital Communications, Strategic Planning and Brand Experience at Louis Vuitton, Martin Mangez-Casey is the architect behind the Louis Vuitton x Formula One partnership, one of the most talked-about brand moments of the last decade. Now running strategy for one of Hollywood's most prominent family portfolios, he has the kind of distance that makes an honest diagnosis possible. And he is using it.

In this episode we go deep on what luxury brands are genuinely getting wrong, what the rare few getting it right are doing differently, and why the talent crisis in this industry is far more structural than anyone inside it wants to admit. We also get into why entertainment is becoming the only operating model that matters, what Chanel's Shanghai library reveals about long-game brand thinking, and why the first 100 days of any senior leader in luxury can define everything that follows.

This is one of the most candid conversations we have had on the podcast. The kind that only happens behind closed doors.

Timestamps

00:00 — Introduction: luxury's identity crisis and the "fashiontainment" shift

01:50 — Martin Casey: career path and following curiosity

03:45 — Behind the scenes: how LVMH x Formula One actually happened

08:00 — Why brands fail in sport partnerships and the green light mistake

13:30 — Creating culture vs. renting attention

15:20 — Chanel's Shanghai library and why it is smarter than a boutique

16:20 — ASAP Rocky, Chanel, and what the backlash really revealed

19:30 — Entertainment as the new operating model: Drive to Survive and 22 Montaigne

24:45 — Brand purpose: what Louis Vuitton got right and where others are lost

28:00 — The Chanel crossbody bag and wearing female freedom without knowing it

30:25 — Why luxury Maisons keep losing the talent they most want

34:00 — The playground problem: cross-industry hiring and why it keeps failing

43:50 — Hollywood family portfolios: speed, directness, and no fake calendar blocks

47:55 — Rapid fire: greed, speed, lack of serviceIf this conversation gave you something to think about, subscribe and follow the podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Follow us on :⁠⁠⁠

Substack →⁠ https://beyondluxury.substack.com/

Editorial Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/beyondluxury.media/ 

Podcast Instagram →⁠ https://www.instagram.com/beyondluxury.podcast/

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Podcast Tiktok →⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondluxury.podcast 

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Website →⁠ https://beyondluxury.group/

LinkTree →⁠ https://linktr.ee/beyondluxury.group

ShopMy →⁠ https://shopmy.us/carlotarodben/my-latest-finds

Get Your Books: 

Beauty As It Is →⁠ https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/164137313X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0

Beyond Luxury: The Promise of Emotion →⁠ https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Luxury-Promise-Carlota-Rodben-ebook/dp/B0CJ2WBMWP

⁠Beyond Luxury Group⁠ is a strategic advisory and new media group, guiding leaders towards the future of luxury and beyond.

We work with top fashion/accessories, beauty/wellness, and hospitality/longevity brands to accelerate meaningful, future-proof growth. Get in touch to find out how we can support your business.
⁠Carlota Rodben⁠ is CEO and Founder of⁠ Beyond Luxury Group⁠, best-selling author, former Head of Innovation at Chanel, and host of the⁠ Beyond Luxury⁠ Podcast, ranked top 10% globally on Spotify podcasts.

A former LVMH executive is building Ireland's first luxury group. Ashley McDonnell reveals VYKO and the untold story of Irish craft luxury.

Ireland has centuries of mastery in wool, linen, whiskey, and knitwear, yet no luxury infrastructure has ever been built around it. Ashley McDonnell spent a decade inside LVMH, Dior, Puig, and Google, studying how the world's great luxury houses scale heritage into global brands. She saw a gap nobody was filling. VYKO is her answer: a luxury brand group designed to acquire, elevate, and globalize the best of Irish craft.

In this conversation, Ashley walks through her acquisition framework (three questions, no P&L required), explains why fragrance is always the first strategic move inside a new brand, and lays out VYKO's market expansion roadmap from New York to Dubai to Shanghai. She also shares the story behind Ireland Fashion Week, which she launched with 54 designers and generated 500 million impressions on zero budget.

This is one of those episodes where the last answer changes how you think about what luxury actually means.

TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 — Introduction

 00:00:23 — Why Ireland is luxury's most overlooked origin story

 00:05:20 — Ashley's decade inside LVMH, Dior, Puig, and Google

 00:12:32 — What VYKO is and how the luxury group model works 

00:46:40 — The 3-question brand acquisition filter 

00:44:37 — Why fragrance is the first move in every acquisition

 00:22:36 — Ireland Fashion Week: 54 designers, 500M impressions, zero budget 

00:36:35 — The expansion map: New York, Dubai, Shanghai

 00:56:36 — What luxury actually means to her

🎙️ Beyond Luxury Podcast · Season 4, Episode 1 Subscribe for the conversations shaping luxury's next chapter.

#LuxuryBusiness #IrishFashion #LuxuryStrategy #CraftLuxury #VYKO

FIND US 

Substack → beyondluxury.substack.com 

Instagram → @beyondluxury.media Instagram → @beyondluxury.podcast 

Carlota's Instagram → @carlotarodben 

ShopMy → @carlotarodben 

Website → beyondluxury.group 

LinkTree → linktr.ee/beyondluxury.group

FIND Ashely McDonnell & VYKO on IG:

• 
  ash.mcdonnell
• 
  vykogroup
• 
  irelandfashionweek
  
• 
  techpoweredluxury
  

What if we told you AI adoption will make interactions more human than ever?For years, the industry feared that embracing technology could dilute brand value and displace human expertise. Yet in today’s landscape, it is precisely the intelligent integration of technology that allows brands to stay relevant, elevate their equity, and enrich their creative and operational excellence.This time, Carlota Rodben was interviewed on the Experience Vision stage by Andrea Pavon, External Advisory Partner at Beyond Luxury Group and Founder at Rune Futures, unveiling key insights drawn from leading brands such as Dior, Hennessy, Cambour, Ferrari, and Audemars Piguet, among others, all sharing their perspectives on the opportunities that lie ahead at the intersection of luxury and technology.They explored:-From fear to overstimulation and lack of confidence: the three barriers luxury brands have have acontinue to face when approaching technology.-The delicate balance of blending craftsmanship and innovation while safeguarding heritage and identity.-Why the most disruptive impact of technology on luxury may already belong to the past, and why its most transformative potential is only beginning to unfold.-How technology is reshaping every touchpoint: from hyper-personalized digital experiences led by brands like Doji, to more efficient and sustainable supply chains throughout the entire product lifecycle.-How an industry once positioned behind technology is now revealing its true strength: turning the pursuit of dreams into meaningful realities.-The growing imperative for qualitative, agile intelligence to remain ahead of the curve, especially in an era oversaturated with information.Want to stay ahead of the curve? Sign up for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Beyond Luxury Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for even more insights and inspiration.

In this episode, Geoffrey Perez, Head of Luxury at Snap Inc., shares how luxury is evolving beyond products into experiences, emotions, and deep cultural relevance. He explains how new generations seek meaning, personalization, and emotional value, not just status or objects. With his experience leading luxury partnerships at Snapchat, Geoffrey breaks down how digital platforms offer new ways for brands to build intimacy, craft narratives, and create immersive moments that resonate with younger audiences.

He explores how technology allows luxury brands to stay human and personal at scale, how XR is redefining brand interaction, and why exclusivity is no longer just about scarcity, but about relevance and timing. Geoffrey also reflects on the importance of brand purpose, cultural sensitivity, and the art of crafting desire in a fast-moving digital world.

Want to stay ahead of the curve?

Sign up for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Beyond Luxury Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for even more insights and inspiration.

TL;DR

• Ines Alpha talks about her collaborations where creativity thrives within clear constraints. She values working with teams that respect her artistic vision, balancing freedom with specific direction.

• Her projects explore blending physical face wear with augmented reality (AR), creating a unique fusion of 3D makeup and digital experiences. Ines worked on both the physical design and AR elements to make the two worlds interact seamlessly.

• AR makeup allows for new forms of self-expression, enabling people to explore different identities digitally. It offers more freedom compared to traditional beauty standards, allowing people to experiment without physical boundaries.

• Ines envisions a future where AR makeup could be featured at high-profile fashion events, with both physical and digital beauty merging for immersive, forward-thinking experiences.

• The evolution of AR technology and social media platforms is shaping the future of beauty, making new forms of creative expression possible, and opening up opportunities for innovative collaborations.

Want to stay ahead of the curve?

Sign up for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Beyond Luxury Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for even more insights and inspiration.

In this podcast episode, Ines Alpha, a leader in the world of 3D makeup and augmented reality, shares insights into her creative journey, particularly her collaboration with Studio Halia. Ines discusses how she blends the physical and digital realms, emphasizing her passion for constraints in design that lead to true innovation. She highlights her work where physical face wear and makeup are enhanced by AR, allowing users to customize their appearance in real-time. Ines explains the importance of collaborating with expert teams to push the boundaries of what’s possible in AR, especially in creating highly interactive and personalized digital makeup experiences.
She also touches on the community aspect of her work, explaining how AR allows people to explore new identities and self-expression, often in spaces where traditional self-presentation might be limited. Looking ahead, Ines reflects on the future of augmented reality in major beauty and fashion events, foreseeing a shift where digital transformations will be just as prominent as physical ones. As technology evolves, she envisions a growing connection between the digital and physical worlds, with new opportunities to create more immersive and expressive experiences for her audience.

Want to stay ahead of the curve?

Sign up for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Beyond Luxury Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for even more insights and inspiration.

TL;DR

• Yalda's personal journey highlights how chronic inflammation is at the heart of many widespread health issues—from autoimmune diseases to conditions like cancer, thyroid imbalances, and even depression, proving just how essential it is to address inflammation for long-term health.
• The Eat Burn Sleep method focuses on three pillars: food, movement, and mental wellness, designed to reduce inflammation without the need for extreme or restrictive diets.
• Her approach challenges common wellness trends, such as the vegan diet or high-intensity workouts, emphasizing sustainable, evidence-based practices tailored to individual needs.
• Health and wellness are becoming increasingly recognized as essential luxury pillars, with people prioritizing long-term vitality and holistic well-being over temporary fixes.

Want to stay ahead of the curve?

Sign up for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Beyond Luxury Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for even more insights and inspiration.

In this episode, Yalda Alaoui, a leading expert in chronic inflammation and nutrition, shares her journey from the corporate world to becoming a top figure in health and wellness. After battling autoimmune diseases, Yalda spent over a decade researching lifestyle changes to heal herself, discovering the link between chronic inflammation and many modern diseases. This led to the creation of Eat Burn Sleep, a platform focused on managing inflammation through food, movement, and mental wellness, offering a balanced lifestyle that doesn’t require perfection but aims for sustainable health.Yalda emphasizes a flexible approach, allowing occasional indulgences while reducing inflammation. Her method has helped thousands, from chronic disease sufferers to doctors who now support her approach. She also discusses how wellness has evolved into a luxury, with more people seeking long-term health solutions over quick fixes. Yalda believes the future of wellness will focus on natural, unprocessed food and a slower, more balanced lifestyle.Want to stay ahead of the curve?

Sign up for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Beyond Luxury Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for even more insights and inspiration.

TL;DR

• Blake shares the importance of team dynamics in early-stage investment, stressing that a capable, well-aligned team is more important than a great idea at the outset.

• We delve into how the scalability of business models, particularly in the luxury and tech space, is crucial; and luxury brands need to adapt quickly, with a focus on profitability rather than growth at any cost.

• Blake highlights that the future of digital luxury will be about blending traditional luxury with digital innovations, creating immersive, interactive experiences for consumers that go beyond transactions.

• AI and blockchain technologies will play a key role in protecting IP, verifying authenticity, and enabling the co-creation of luxury items with consumers, offering both scalability and personalized luxury experiences.

• Luxury will evolve to allow for more consumer-driven design, where users interact with brands on a deeper, more personal level,such as co-creating fashion with the brand’s heritage and digital assets.

Want to stay ahead of the curve?

Sign up for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Beyond Luxury Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for even more insights and inspiration.

In this episode, Blake Lezenski talks about his approach to early-stage investing, focusing on the importance of team dynamics and market validation. He highlights that a strong, cohesive team is crucial, even if the idea is still in its infancy. Blake also discusses the shift in digital luxury, stressing the need for immersive, self-expressive experiences in the industry, with AI and blockchain playing key roles in the transformation.

He envisions a future where AI helps brands create personalized luxury experiences at scale while ensuring IP protection through innovative solutions like AI-powered provenance verification. Blake concludes by exploring how Web3 and digital fashion can empower consumers to interact with luxury brands in new ways, creating a more dynamic and scalable luxury ecosystem.

Want to stay ahead of the curve? Sign up for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Beyond Luxury Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for even more insights and inspiration.