4.6.2026
Ilaria Tonti, Alumna of the Executive Master in Luxury Management and Design Innovation ‘25 (EMiLUX), is today an Europe Business Development Manager at JANUS et Cie — specialized in outdoor furniture, and part of the Haworth Liflestyle Group. Once based in France and now based in one of the most buzzing luxury hubs in the world — Milano — her story is one of ambition, reinvention, and the conviction that creativity and business are two sides of the same coin.
Ilaria’s career began with the French rug and tapestry maison PINTON 1867, where she built her foundations in client experience and brand stewardship. From there, she moved into brand events for V-ZUG, a Swiss luxury design brand, sharpening her ability to craft narratives and create the kind of experiences that are meaningful to people.
Her trajectory was building towards something larger. Each role had sharpened a different edge: brand narrative and experiential strategy. What she needed next was altitude — a broader international scope, and the strategic framework to match.
During her time at V-ZUG, Ilaria encountered a pivotal moment that questioned her understanding of leadership. At the time, the Swiss brand was undergoing a significant transformation, marked by a growing focus on design and premium experiences. She elaborates:
“This transformation was both strategic and cultural. I saw firsthand how a strong artistic direction, combined with unwavering standards of quality, service, and sustainability, can create emotional resonance and long-term value. It taught me that leadership in luxury is not just about performance; it’s about vision, coherence, and the courage to innovate.”
Her role went beyond execution. Through an innovative event strategy — notably featuring international artists and designers during Paris Design Week and similar events — she helped position V-ZUG as a more culturally engaged and experience-driven brand.
By the time Ilaria enrolled in EMiLUX, she already had a solid track record. But solid wasn’t enough. She wanted more: more international scope, more strategic altitude, more impact. A program that unfolds across six countries and three continents — from Paris to New York, Dubai, Shanghai, Geneva and Milan — EMiLUX matched exactly the international altitude she was looking for.
“EMiLUX stood out for its unique ability to bridge business acumen with creative thinking, while offering a highly hands-on, internationally oriented, project-based methodology.”
She found in EMiLUX more than a program: she defines it as a catalyst.
“It didn’t just equip me with tools — it transformed how I think, collaborate, and lead in a global context.”
Shortly after completing EMiLUX, that ambition found its context: Milan, and a role leading European business development for JANUS et Cie — part of the Haworth Lifestyle group, and a global reference in premium interiors and high-end furniture. Her current focus: driving growth across key European markets, with a sharp eye on the luxury yachting segment.
Of everything she took away from the program, one principle has proven the most durable: the power of collective intelligence.
Teamwork is at the core of EMiLUX. Throughout the program — and especially through the Entrepreneurial Project that runs from start to finish — participants are pushed to collaborate deeply, build shared ownership, and turn individual strengths into collective results. The cohort itself, bringing together more than 15 nationalities from as many backgrounds and career paths, becomes as much a learning environment as the boardroom itself. For Ilaria, this experience was transformative:
“It reinforced the importance of trust, mutual respect, and the ability to leverage each individual’s strengths to achieve a common goal. This directly informs how I build and lead teams today, especially in an international environment where collaboration and adaptability are key.”
Simple in theory, but remarkably complex in practice: particularly when navigating cross-border operations, different time zones, and high-stakes negotiations. EMiLUX, as she says, trains you for exactly that.
If she could go back to day one of the program, Ilaria knows exactly what she'd tell herself:
"Keep your professional project in mind from day one. All the knowledge, frameworks, and methods introduced throughout the program become much more valuable when you actively connect them to your project. They don't just stay theoretical - they help you shape your idea, ask better questions, and collaborate more effectively with your team."
And for those considering the program today, her message is clear:
"Embrace this experience fully and make the most of every moment - it will genuinely expand your perspective on the luxury world. Take every opportunity to connect with people, because their stories and experiences are invaluable and will enrich your own journey. This isn't just about what you learn in the classroom; it's about the connections you build, the ideas you exchange, and the inspiration you carry forward."
Ilaria Tonti's trajectory is a clear illustration of what EMiLUX is designed to unlock: the ability to move with confidence between the creative and the strategic, between the local and the global, between the operational and the visionary. From a Parisian rug Maison to a Swiss design brand, and now to the helm of European development for a luxury interiors powerhouse - hers is a career shaped by curiosity, boldness, and the right program at the right moment.
EMiLUX is designed for professionals who already have a track record: and want more. More altitude, more international scope, more strategic impact. Ilaria's story is one example. Yours could be the next.
