After a decade of growth, the luxury and fashion sectors have been hit hard by the coronavirus crisis, with lockdown measures aimed at curbing the spread of the disease leading to store closures around the world. This is the biggest threat to the £2.2 trillion sector since the 2008 financial crisis, with weak consumer confidence likely to hold back sales for several more months.

But there are positives, as the pandemic has forced long-awaited changes in an industry that has been slow to respond to environmental concerns and embrace digital technologies. Luxury industry leaders have their work cut out for them to weather the crisis, but they could be the pioneers of significant changes that will leave a lasting mark.

“We teach our students to be trailblazers: agile, flexible, and adaptable,” explains Michel Phan, director of the MSc in Luxury Management and Marketing at emlyon business school. “In this sector, you can't rest on your laurels.”

A Master of Science (MS or MSc) is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities in fields related to science, technology, engineering, mathematics, medicine, and certain social sciences. Typically requiring one to two years of full-time study, the degree combines advanced coursework with research, a thesis, or practical training, depending on the program. The MS emphasizes analytical skills, scientific methods, and subject-specific expertise, preparing graduates for professional careers, research roles, or further study at the doctoral level. Admission usually requires a bachelor’s degree in a related discipline, and some programs may include internships or lab-based projects. While an MS often focuses on technical and research-oriented subjects, it can also cover applied areas such as data science, psychology, economics, or public health. The Master of Science is internationally recognized, though requirements and degree structures vary by country. Overall, earning an MSc demonstrates specialized knowledge and advanced critical thinking, offering graduates a pathway to higher-level positions in industry, academia, or research.

MSc in Luxury Management & Marketing student & Digital innovator

Théodore Boillot

Master in Strategy & Consulting

Gisele

Master in Finance

Raphael Blonkowski

A graduate of emlyon’s Master in Finance at Bachelor and MSc level, Raphaël arrived at the school with a thirst for entrepreneurship and emerged with it duly quenched, thanks to the school’s business incubator. His dream has since become a reality. He co-founded Valuation Advisory and then founded RB Advisory, a leading M&A outsourcing firm for investment banks and M&A independent advisors. RB Advisory is neither an investment bank nor a consulting firm, assisting investment banks and independent M&A advisors in drafting their presentation documents and building financial models. Raphaël recounts where his entrepreneurial journey started and where it is heading.