ESCP Europe and Lectra collaborate on fashion

ESCP Europe has launched a chair in Fashion and Technology on its Paris campus to research innovation in the fashion and luxury sectors. The chair is in collaboration with Lectra, which develops software and cutting systems for the fashion industry.

The research at ESCP, which also has campuses in London, Madrid, Berlin and Turin, will focus on the application of cutting-edge technologies linked to design and supply chain management as well as new business models from emerging markets, such as China.

Edouard Husson, dean of ESCP Europe, says that the business school and Lectra share a common view of the role of innovation in the economy. “The purpose of a business school, such as ESCP Europe….is to explore the factors that drive the economy and to offer tools to respond rapidly to the dynamics of globalisation and the challenges from many spheres within it.”

ESCP and Lectra have been working together since 2011 on innovation and competitiveness.

The business of fashion and luxury goods is proving increasingly attractive to European business schools, especially those in France. Earlier this week Sup de Luxe Paris announced that it would teach an MBA in Global Luxury Management from September - Essec Business School already teaches a similar programme.

In 2011 SDA Bocconi in Milan launched a luxury business track on its one-year MBA, run in partnership with Bulgari, the watch, jewellery and perfume maker. This is in addition to a clutch of specialised masters degrees taught by Bocconi in food, fashion and the arts. From this year MBA students at London Business School can also follow an elective track in luxury management, run with partners Walpole British Luxury, the not-for-profit organisation that spearheads the interests of the British luxury industry.