2019 Condé Nast International Luxury Conference concludes in Cape Town
The 2019 edition of the Condé Nast International Luxury Conference took place in Cape Town, South Africa, on 10-11 April 2019, in partnership with Guaranty Trust Bank.
The event brought together delegates from 30 countries, to discuss the power of the African market as a consumer and producer of luxury and design. With the theme “The Nature of Luxury,” the conference also examined the critical issue of sustainability.
Speakers included the CEOs of Gucci, Tiffany & Co., Salvatore Ferragamo, De Beers, Graff, and Van Cleef & Arpels, as well as Naomi Campbell, designers Laduma Ngxokolo, Christopher Raeburn, and Abrima Erwiah, among many others.
Suzy Menkes says:
“Joyous! That is the word most keenly associated with the energetic Condé Nast International conference in Cape Town. It was held earlier this year in April – the first event of its kind on the African continent.
There was laughter, and there were tears of emotion as CNI delivered its promise: to hold a conference that redefined the nature of luxury. This included contemporary African culture – like the wildly colourful knitwear from designer Laduma Ngxokolo – and the Afrocentric vision that is turning local handwork into global trade.”
The conference focused on nature – and nurture. Africa’s artistic and cultural landscape needs to be preserved, yet also challenged by the new. Hence Jochen Zeitz speaking about his support for Cape Town’s Silo, a disused granary transformed into a museum for African contemporary art. Zeitz also shared his ecological views with Sylvie Bénard, LVMH’s Corporate Environment Director, and with designer Christopher Raeburn, as they all discussed how luxury can be thoughtful regarding sustainability and growth.”
