The highly anticipated fifth Condé Nast International Luxury Conference, aptly named The Nature of Luxury, has kicked off its two-day event on 10 April 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa, hosted by the Editor of Vogue International, Suzy Menkes.
Oman Magazine had the pleasure of attending the official launch party at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, where supermodel of the world, Naomi Campbell, took the stage to share and explain her hopes for the continent, and how she is committed to changing people’s perceptions about Africa.
“I want to give back to Africa,” Naomi Campbell said to Suzy at last night’s launch party.
Amongst attendees was Nelson Mandela’s “honorary granddaughter” who shared her feelings about being part of the movement to improve diversity and inclusion in the African fashion industry.
In addition to the conference launch, the Condé Nast Photo Experience Installation opens to the public today. For a limited time period, where guests will be able to make their Condé Nast cover dreams a reality by visiting the Centre Court in the V&A Waterfront over Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11th. Created in collaboration with a local design agency, the installation will be made up of four interactive spaces to represent Vogue, GQ, Glamour and Condé Nast Traveller – each of these spaces incorporating work from local designers and creatives. Visitors will be invited to step into these spaces and take photographs using the hashtag #CNILux – the best photos will be featured!
The Full Agenda
The first conference of its type to take place in South Africa, Condé Nast International has chosen Cape Town to host the fifth edition of the luxury conference. The event has travelled the world, taking place in intriguing and diverse locations – from Lisbon to Muscat, to Florence, to Seoul. The programme identifies the key topics that matter to the global luxury industry.
The African continent has become integral to the ever-changing concept of luxury in today’s world. The ‘Nature of Luxury’ theme will explore the artisanal skills and creative talent on the continent, whilst examining the broader landscape of the global luxury market, as well as sustainability.
Day one kicks off with a highlight discussion between Suzy Menkes and Marco Bizzarri, President and CEO of Gucci, around the secrets of the global brand’s ongoing success, followed by a session on contemporary African culture with Laduma Ngxokolo, Founder and Designer, MAXHOSA AFRICA.
- South African designer and retailer, Hanneli Rupert, the creative force behind Okapi and Merchants on Long, will discuss authenticity, sustainability and storytelling in luxury retail.
- Jewellery experts Nicolas Bos, President and CEO, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Alessandro Bogliolo, CEO of Tiffany & Co., will share insights into their jewellery powerhouses, and the needs of today’s luxury consumer.
- Joerg Zuber, creator of digital influencer @noonoouri, will scope out the ever-evolving marriage between tech and luxury.
Throughout the day, speakers will also delve into the fast-growing luxury industry in Africa.
Uche Pézard of Luxe Corp. Group and Luxury Connect Africa, will examine how African creativity can go global.
- Omoyemi Akerele, Founder and Executive Director, Lagos Fashion Week/Style House Files, will address the significance of collaborative working.
- Folake Coker, Founder and Creative Director of Nigerian brand Tiffany Amber, will share her ambitions for the industry in general.
- Laudomia Pucci will discuss Africa as a source of inspiration for the brand’s prints and fabrics.
- Rosario Dawson and Abrima Erwiah, Co-Founders of Studio One Eighty Nine, based in New York and Accra, will take to the stage with Suzy Menkes and Master of Ceremonies Jo-Ann Strauss, to share how they are creating fashion with a meaning.
Day one will close with an extremely rare on-stage interview with Laurence Graff OBE, Chairman and Founder of Graff. Having handled more diamonds than any other diamantaire of our time, Laurence Graff is uniquely positioned to speak about gemstones from Africa, responsible business, art and much more.
Day Two takes a clear focus on business and responsibilities in a world where sustainability and environmental issues are more prominent than ever.
- Bruce Cleaver, CEO of De Beers Group, will discuss the role of sustainability in the session ‘A Diamond is Forever’.
- The recently-appointed CEO of Salvatore Ferragamo, Micaela le Divelec Lemmi, will share her plan for reinventing the billion-plus Florentine house.
- Designer Christopher Raeburn with Sylvie Bénard, Environment Director of LVMH and Jochen Zeitz, Co-Founder and Co-Chair, Zeitz MOCAA; Co-Founder, The B Team; Founder, Zeitz, will together discuss how business and creativity can drive sustainability.
- Justine Schafer, Creative Director of Cape Cobra will speak on sustainable manufacturing.
Simone Cipriani, Head and Founder, Ethical Fashion Initiative at the International Trade Centre, will explore the use of ethical supply chains for the luxury industry. A discussion between Roberta Annan, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Impact Fund for African Creatives and Yvonne Fasinro, Founder, Adara Foundation will explore the growth and development of creativity in Africa.
