24 January 2018: The Financial Times flagship Business of Luxury Summit will return to Venice this Spring with Cédric Charbit, Katharine Hamnett and Diego Della Valle among a number of major names in the fashion world already confirmed for the two-day event.

Co-chaired by FT editor, Lionel Barber, and FT fashion editor, Jo Ellison, the summit will bring global decision-makers together to focus on luxury disruption and the industry innovators changing the narrative.

Jo Ellison said: “We are delighted to be returning to Italy this year, a country famed for its artisanal heritage and creative brilliance. This summit will examine new challenges for the industry, how the younger generation is changing consumer behaviour, the future of retail and the innovations recharging the market”.

Speakers revealed today, with more to come, include:

  • Cédric Charbit, Chief Executive Officer, Balenciaga
  • Erdem Moralioglu, Owner and Creative Director, Erdem
  • Diego Della Valle, President and CEO of Tod's
  • Katharine Hamnett, CBE, Fashion Designer
  • Mario Monti, President, Bocconi University; former Italian Prime Minister; former EU Commissioner
  • Paul Surridge, Creative Director, Roberto Cavalli
  • Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, President, NTV; former Chairman, FIAT and Ferrari
  • Paul Andrew, Creative Director, Women’s Collections, Salvatore Ferragamo
  • Luisa Delgado, Chief Executive Officer, Safilo Group
  • Martin Wolf CBE, Chief Economics Commentator, Financial Times

The Business of Luxury Summit will be held at the Hilton Molino Stucky Venice on 20-22 May 2018.

Early bird tickets are available until 31 January 2018. For more information click here or follow @FTLive and #FTLuxury on Twitter.

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