Events
American Express has taken a very ‘2008′ approach to this year’s Luxury Summit, details of which have just been posted online.
The Summit promises familiar topics such as presentations from Cap Gemini on high-net worth individuals, and a point of view on affordable luxury for the Russian consumer.
It also strikes a very contemporary note with a focus on ‘greener’ presentations on philanthropy, CSR, and “A Greener Consumer in the luxury market” by Ernst Lieb, CEO, Mercedes-Benz USA
And, the Summit goes further… with energy walks, eco-friendly yoga, opportunities to gather on the Waterfall Balcony, and breakfasts in the Wellness Kitchen.
Keynotes from Donna Karan, and Diane Von Furstenberg.
Full program here
Events
Last night the Secretary-General of the UN, Ban Ki-moon, was challenged over the nature of tonight’s Gucci event on the UN’s North Lawn.
The main point of contention seems to be that Gucci has announced the event as a celebration of its new Manhattan store opening (”The event will celebrate the opening of Gucci’s New York 5th Avenue Flagship store in February 2008.”), while the UN has stressed throughout that it is a non-profit humanitarian event.
Ban Ki-moon was pressed to explain the collaboration with the Gucci brand, and how the UN policed and protected its own brand. Journalists have demanded more transparency to follow the money trail - if any - between the relevant parties; Gucci, Unicef, Madonna’s Raising Malawi charity, and (according to some) the Kabbalah church…
Inner City Press - which has been following the events since the original announcement last year - and which today speculated that Ki-moon had delivered the press conference in front of a hybrid UN / Gucci logo - has the full story, including a video of yesterdays’ press conference. (Via InnerCityPress)
