emlyon × Politecnico di Milano: A Semester in Milan and a New Perspective on Luxury
Zeynep Hidiroglu
MSc in Luxury Management & Marketing
Milan is more than a fashion capital. It is a living ecosystem where design, craftsmanship, gastronomy, and the luxury industry intersect on a daily basis. With the integration of Politecnico di Milano as a new academic partner, the MSc in Luxury Management & Marketing at emlyon business school enters a new chapter offering students a full semester immersed in the heart of Italian luxury expertise. This Milan semester allows students to experience luxury not just as a market, but as a culture, a craft, and an industry deeply rooted in real-world practice.
Learning approach grounded in real life
What truly sets the Milan experience apart is its teaching approach.
Politecnico di Milano is internationally renowned for its excellence in design, innovation, and applied research, and this reputation is evident from day one. Learning extends far beyond the classroom: company visits, executive panel discussions, and deep dives into century-old family-owned luxury houses are integral to the curriculum. Theory and practice constantly inform one another.
“Teaching is more focused on ideas and concepts, but above all on hands-on experience. There’s a lot of visual work and field visits. It really helped me immerse myself in Italian design and luxury.” Zeynep Hidiroglu, MSc in Luxury Management & Marketing student on exchange at Politecnico di Milano
The Milan-based modules address themes that are directly connected to the realities of the luxury sector: luxury scenarios and trend forecasting, the Italian approach to sustainability and innovation, fine wine and gastronomy management, and visual merchandising. Milan provides an ideal laboratory for applying these concepts in real-life contexts.
Immersive Experiences That Leave a Lasting Impact
The Milan semester is built around regular field experiences with key players in Italian luxury.
Students visit wineries in Franciacorta, explore traditional balsamic vinegar ateliers in Modena, meet founders of family-owned luxury houses, and walk through Milan’s showrooms and flagship boutiques. Each visit reinforces classroom learning with tangible experience.
“When we were told that the Berlucchi cellars hold around 12 million bottles and we were physically standing there, it’s something you simply can’t grasp from a classroom. It made me understand the true scale of brands we usually only know through finished products.” Zeynep Hidiroglu, MSc LMM student
This immersive approach is far from anecdotal. It is precisely this ability to understand luxury from the inside through heritage, craftsmanship, transmission, and scale that defines the Milan experience and gives real meaning to the label “Made in Italy.”
Rethinking the Definition of Luxury
After Paris, where luxury is deeply shaped by history and formal codes, Milan offers a distinctly different energy.
Here, luxury is expressive, tactile, and intrinsically woven into everyday life. It is inseparable from local culture and lifestyle. For MSc LMM students, moving between luxury capitals within a single academic journey highlights a key insight: luxury has no single definition. It is cultural, geographical, and historical.
“Here, luxury feels more like a daily lifestyle than a special occasion. It’s deeply embedded in Milanese life. I met many family-owned brands that place craftsmanship at the very center of their identity.” Zeynep Hidiroglu, MSc in Luxury Management & Marketing
This multi-perspective understanding cannot be developed in one country alone. It lies at the core of the program’s philosophy: exposing students to multiple global luxury hubs so they understand different codes and can operate confidently in any international market.
A Tangible Impact on Career Direction
Beyond the experience itself, the semester in Milan plays a decisive role in clarifying professional ambitions.
Several students explain that while their career goals did not necessarily change, they became sharper, more grounded, and more concrete through immersion.
“I was already interested in wines and spirits before arriving. After the courses and all these experiences, that interest became much more tangible. The experience confirmed and strengthened what I wanted to pursue.” Zeynep Hidiroglu, MSc in Luxury Management & Marketing
Politecnico di Milano also provides strong network value. As a world-class institution, it offers emlyon students a rigorous academic environment and access to highly engaged professors who are deeply connected to their fields.
What If Milan Wasn’t Your First Choice?
Zeynep openly admits that Milan was not her top choice initially, making her perspective even more valuable, as it was shaped without preconceived expectations.
“If you’re hesitating, even if Milan isn’t your first choice: go for it. I arrived with no particular expectations, and in the end, it’s where I wish I had been from the start. After hearing about my friends’ experiences in other cities, I’m really happy I chose Milan.”
— Zeynep Hidiroglu, MSc in Luxury Management & Marketing
Smaller cohort sizes foster close connections among students. The pace is demanding, but the surrounding environment provides balance, making the overall experience especially enriching.
MSc in Luxury Management & Marketing: Briefly
Offered by emlyon business school, the MSc in Luxury Management & Marketing is an 18-month program fully taught in English, open to students holding at least a bachelor’s degree (3-year minimum). The curriculum includes a 4- to 6-month professional internship at the end of the program.
Key topics covered include luxury history and codes, branding and marketing strategy, consumer behavior, international markets, wines and spirits, sustainability, visual merchandising, and retail management. Students also participate in a Luxury Hackathon, working on real projects with industry partners.
89% of graduates secure a position within three months of graduation, working as brand managers, luxury consultants, retail coordinators, or marketing strategists for leading houses such as Chanel, Cartier, Hermès, Dior, and L’Oréal Luxe.
The program is supported by a strong network of international academic partners, each offering a distinct perspective on the luxury industry:
- London – London College of Fashion: Fashion & Lifestyle
- New York – Parsons School of Design: Design Management
- Rome – Luiss Business School: Fashion and Luxury Business
- Milan – Politecnico di Milano: Italian Luxury Track (new partner)
- Perth – Curtin University: Asia-Pacific luxury markets