The 12th Graduation Ceremony of the MBA in International Luxury Brand Management was held on Monday, September 24, 2007 at the prestigious Cercle de L’Union Interalliée, rue du Faubourg St Honoré in Paris.
The evenings’ proceedings brought together some 250 participants, including 2007 graduates and their families, alumni, faculty and many of the programs’ partners from the luxury goods industry.
After opening speeches by Professor Simon Nyeck (Academic Director) and Denis Morisset (Executive Director), graduates and guests were addressed by Professor Laurent Bibard, Dean for MBA Programs and Carole Donat (MBA Graduate 2002 and now High Jewellery Operation Manager for Cartier).They then heard from the guest speaker for the evening Mrs Chantal Thomass (Founder and Creative Director of Chantal Thomass) who presented diplomas and gifts to the Chantal Thomass Class of 2007.
In addition, special awards were made to the top three graduates by Alain Crevet, President, St Dupont and Florian Osterloh, International Human Resources Advisor of Mont Blanc. Mont Blanc generously donated a gift voucher to each of the remaining students so that all had something special to remember the evening by.
The ceremonial part of the event came to a close with short speeches by Mama Sougoufara (ESSEC International Alumni Association) and Bonita Durand Barracand (Secretary, MBA in International Luxury Brand Management Alumni Association), followed by the awarding of scholarships to the 2007-2008 class by new partners Bacardi Global Brand Limited, represented by Katheryn Jackson-Day, Human Resources Director, Firmenich by Armand de Villoutreys, President and L’Oreal, by Bertrand de Laleu, Human Resources Director, Luxury Products Division.
To round off the evening, graduates and guests were then ushered upstairs to a sumptuous cocktail on the second floor with a magnificent view over the surrounding gardens.