What separates someone who simply works in luxury from someone who truly belongs in it?

Luxury has its own unwritten rules. From body language and communication to elegance, confidence and the art of exceptional client service, these invisible codes shape how professionals are perceived inside the world’s leading luxury houses.

In this episode, host Emilia Simonin speaks with Cyril Mitilian, former Paris Opera Ballet soloist, who has worked with luxury maisons including Louis Vuitton and Berluti, about what it really takes to embody luxury.

Drawing on his experience in elite ballet and the luxury industry, Cyril explores how discipline, presence, cultural awareness and attention to detail transform ordinary interactions into exceptional luxury experiences.

The conversation also offers a fascinating perspective for professionals from the performing and cultural arts considering a transition into the business of luxury, revealing how skills developed in artistic environments can translate into valuable professional strengths.

Whether you’re building a career in luxury, working in luxury retail, transitioning from the arts or simply looking to elevate your professional presence, this conversation explores the codes that are rarely taught but essential to understand.

(00:00:30) Introduction to Cyril Mitilian

(00:01:39) Unlocking the invisible codes of luxury

(00:03:20) Body language and presence in client service

(00:07:40) Transforming effort into emotion

(00:10:40) Key strengths transferred from ballet to business

(00:12:40) Defining excellence and the collective mindset

(00:18:00) The essence of French elegance

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Brands have more consumer data than ever. So why are so many still “data rich, but insights poor”?

In this episode of the Luxe Consumer IQ podcast, host Emilia Simonin sits down with Tom De Ruyck, Partner at Human8, Vice President at ESOMAR and professor at IÉSEG, whose work spans global brands including L’Oréal and Nike.

Together, they explore what separates marketers who collect data from those who can turn consumer insight into strategy, action and brand growth — and why human understanding becomes even more important as AI reshapes marketing.

From the growing “sea of sameness” threatening brand distinctiveness, to fast and slow culture and the emerging potential of digital twins, Tom shares what modern marketers need to understand to stay close to consumers, make better decisions and build brands that remain distinctive, relevant and memorable.

(00:00) Escaping the sea of sameness

(02:21) Data rich but insights poor

(03:49) The absence of consumer empathy

(06:06) Combining AI with human closeness

(12:10) Prompting and limitations of AI

(19:43) Slow culture versus fast culture

(23:38) What separates strategic marketers

(29:35) Scaling consumer understanding with twins

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Luxury is changing - from what consumers value to where growth is coming from, who gets to define luxury and how AI is reshaping discovery. So what should luxury professionals actually be paying attention to?

In this solo episode of Luxe Consumer IQ, host Emilia Simonin unpacks some of the key ideas behind Luxe Renaissance, co-authored by Eric Briones and Anaïs Duquenne, and connects them with wider consumer and market intelligence to examine four major shifts shaping the future of luxury:

• Price, perceived value and the return to fair value
• Transformative luxury, wellness and longevity
• Post-Western luxury and the rise of new centres of cultural authority
• AI, agentic commerce and the changing luxury discovery journey

The episode explores what these shifts could mean for luxury brands — from changing sources of competition and consumer spending to new growth opportunities — and how luxury professionals can turn market intelligence into better strategic decisions.

If you work in luxury, premium, marketing, insights or strategy, this is a practical guide to understanding some of the forces reshaping the industry — and what they could mean for your work.

(00:00) Unpacking the big shifts in luxury

(04:15) Re-evaluating value and restoring brand aura

(07:23) Transformative luxury, wellness, and longevity

(13:10) Post-Western luxury and the rise of local powerhouses

(17:39) Commercial AI and agentic commerce

(22:15) The expanding definition of the luxury premium

(22:45) Introducing Luxe Insights Academy

Luxe Insights Academy: www.luxeconsumeriq.com/programmes | www.luxeconsumeriq.com/waitlist

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Get the book - Luxe Renaissance:

https://www.dunod.com/entreprise-et-economie/luxe-renaissance-6-voies-pour-transformer-luxe

Episode 23 with Altiant ' What High-Net-Worth Consumers Actually Want from Luxury Brands'

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7kjNpQQzO8fA0ihpWL1Iph?si=ce918a30148142ea

Episode 20: 'How Luxury Brands Drive Revenue Growth Without Destroying Desire'

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5yOmss6jV768sFgqiTV7wb?si=0f0f8253a2744655

Episode 17: 'How to Use AI in Luxury Marketing Without Losing the Brand

https://open.spotify.com/episode/65yuVBC8vkUN37lBX0cosy?si=99b7bafd2f36417f