The 3rd edition of “Changemakers in Luxury Fashion” by CNMI and Zalando honours luxury fashion leaders, asking them what it means to truly innovate in luxury

Top visionaries honoured in four categories

The event celebrated top visionaries of the Italian and international fashion world:

Francesca Bellettini, Deputy CEO of Kering, honoured in the “Brand Vision” category, discussed prioritising decisions in the evolving luxury sector amidst shifting cultural values, new consumer demographics, and macroeconomic conditions, emphasising proactive versus reactive approaches. She shared her perspective on the distinction between a compelling brand vision and a good strategy and how to ensure a vision drives culture, innovation, and longevity across Maisons.

Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada Group Chief Marketing Officer & Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, received recognition in the "Innovation" category. The discussion centred on Prada Group’s diverse approach to innovation, encompassing bold initiatives from SEA BEYOND - the programme dedicated to ocean literacy - and R&D in aerospace sector. Bertelli provided insights into the Group's definition and selection of innovative areas, and how it combines creativity, purpose, and progress to embed innovation within the brand's culture and strategy.

Diego Della Valle, President of Tod's Group, was recognised in the category “Craftsmanship”. He emphasised the enduring significance of "Made in Italy" for the Tod’s, highlighting its continuous evolution within a modernising industry. He provided examples of how Tod's balances its rich heritage with contemporary advancements, integrating new technologies and materials while preserving its artisanal foundations. 

Giuliano Calza, Creative Director of GCDS together with the Founders and Creative Directors of SUNNEI Simone Rizzo & Loris Messina were honoured in the “New Gen” category. They talked about the relationship between fashion and new generations thanks to the creation of cultural moments that go behind the runways. They shared the motivation behind their projects, the capacity of balancing creativity and commerciality and the importance of the designer’s personality on the brand’s identity.

Key insights on future of luxury presented

The evening also delved into the critical themes shaping the future of luxury, including the imperative for true innovation in response to a changing market, the evolving dynamics of consumer engagement, particularly with GenZ, and the redefinition of value and experiences in the digital age.

Claudia d’Arpizio, Senior Partner and Global Head of Fashion and Luxury at Bain & Company emphasised that brands need to reaffirm the foundations of luxury and intentionally shape the industry's future. She outlined five key focus areas: reshaping of market boundaries through the blurring of spending between goods, services, and experiences; redefinition of competition by both incumbents and tech-fueled insurgents; shifting customer behaviors; evolution of the distribution landscape; and the need to safeguard the luxury supply ecosystem amidst uncertainty, volume reduction, and a growing focus on sustainability. 

David Fischer, Founder & CEO of Highsnobiety, presented Highsnobiety’s new white paper, "Luxury Redefined: Stop selling the dream, start fitting into reality." Highlight findings included the shift from aspiration to relevance, where cultural fit now outweighs the traditional dream-selling approach, and the renewed importance of product quality and craftsmanship over superficial marketing. Fischer emphasised the increasing value placed on legacy and archival storytelling, contrasting with the diminishing appeal of fleeting novelty. 

Zalando’s Vice President Designer Lena-Sophie Roeper and Director of Product Management Brian Kim, addressed the challenges facing the luxury sector, such as a perceived disconnect with customers and the evolving, non-linear paths to purchase. They highlighted Zalando's commitment to innovation, not through technology as a standalone solution, but as an enabler of a holistic, seamless, and curated customer experience. Zalando showcased the solutions to bridge offline and online experiences and deliver personalised, immersive storytelling. 

Selection of highlight quotes by the Changemakers

Carlo Capasa, Chairman Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana: “We are pleased to celebrate the changemakers of contemporary fashion who demonstrate the vitality of our industry and its multiform nature. Creativity is the beating heart of fashion and carrying it into the future requires concrete and real actions, putting at the centre the system of values that we have told today through exemplary stories of change.  Thanks to Zalando for creating this moment of narration and reflection with us."

David Schneider, co-founder of Zalando: "Now in our third year of 'Changemakers in Luxury Fashion' with Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, it's amazing to reflect on the journey since we first discussed the imminent transformation of fashion commerce two years ago. What truly excites us at Zalando is detecting change early and following through with conviction to act on it. We've moved from discussing a new digital era to actively building it – testing, learning and now seeing many of our ideas in action.”
 

Lena-Sophie Roeper, Vice President Designer at Zalando: “The once captivating luxury space now feels fatigued, leaving customers yearning for deeper connection and meaning. At Zalando, we believe that true innovation lies in redefining the customer experience, moving from monologue to dialogue, and from transaction to a deeply personal and engaging journey. It's not just about technology; it’s about how technology can power meaningful relationships and culturally relevant experiences that resonate with the next generation. Change doesn’t wait, and neither should we; it's time to act and become the changemakers the industry needs.”
 
David Fischer, Founder & CEO of Highsnobiety: "Our new report 'Luxury Redefined'  highlights a fundamental shift: 71% of core luxury consumers say the definition of luxury has changed in the last 5 years. Today's consumers seek cultural authenticity and tangible quality; they value brands that embed themselves in the real world with compelling legacy storytelling and immersive experiences, rather than betting on fleeting novelty. Luxury is moving decidedly from aspiration to relevance, from selling a dream to embracing reality."

Claudia d’Arpizio, Senior Partner and Global Head of Fashion Luxury at Bain & Company:”The demand for luxury remains strong, but its next frontier is yet to be uncovered. To seize this opportunity, brands must return to the fundamentals — anchoring their promise in quality, exceptional craftsmanship, and the power to inspire dreams, all while removing barriers to access. The true challenge for the future of this industry lies in reigniting the emotional pull of luxury for consumers, while deliberately transcending traditional business boundaries” 

Francesca Bellettini, Deputy CEO of Kering: “In a complex macro-economic environment, luxury customers privilege brands that behave consistently to their positioning. You have to stay true to your vision and your values, while focusing on what you can control.”