The course aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand and manage sustainability challenges within the luxury industry, integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into luxury business strategies while preserving brand identity, heritage, and value creation. Students will develop analytical and strategic competences to evaluate sustainable practices in luxury contexts and to design responsible and innovative solutions. In detail, the course aims to: • Illustrate the key characteristics and dynamics of luxury markets and business models; • Provide the conceptual foundations of sustainability and ESG frameworks applied to luxury; • Explain the main environmental and social challenges faced by the luxury industry; • Analyze sustainable supply chains, sourcing practices, and traceability systems; • Discuss the role of innovation and new materials in sustainable luxury; • Examine consumer behavior and perceptions related to sustainable luxury consumption; • Evaluate branding and communication strategies, with a focus on authenticity and avoidance of greenwashing; • Explore circular economy models in luxury (e.g., resale, rental, repair); • Interpret sustainability reports and industry benchmarks to assess company performance; • Apply theoretical frameworks to real-world case studies of leading luxury brands such as LVMH, Gucci, and Stella McCartney; • Develop strategic recommendations for integrating sustainability into luxury business models; • Prepare and present a structured project focused on sustainable luxury strategy.

• Knowledge and understanding: At the end of the course students will acquire knowledge of the key concepts, frameworks, and challenges related to sustainability in the luxury industry. They will understand ESG principles, circular economy models, sustainable supply chains, and the strategic implications of sustainability for luxury brands. • Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: At the end of the course students will be able to apply sustainability frameworks to luxury business contexts, analyze real-world cases, and develop strategic solutions integrating sustainability into luxury business models. They will be able to evaluate company practices and propose innovative and responsible strategies for luxury brands such as LVMH, Gucci, and Stella McCartney. • Independent judgment: At the end of the course, students will acquire the ability to critically assess sustainability initiatives in the luxury sector, distinguishing between authentic practices and greenwashing. They will be able to interpret sustainability reports, analyze strategic trade-offs, and formulate independent evaluations and recommendations. Critical thinking, problem solving, and teamwork skills will be developed through class discussions, case studies, and group projects. • Communication skills: Students will acquire the ability to communicate sustainability-related analyses and strategies effectively, both in written and oral form, to specialist and non-specialist audiences. They will learn how to present complex sustainability issues in a clear and structured way, including through project presentations and reports. • Learning skills: The course aims to develop analytical and methodological skills that enable students to autonomously deepen their knowledge of sustainable luxury management. At the end of the course, students will be able to independently explore emerging trends, interpret industry reports, and critically engage with academic and managerial literature.

The course is organized into four thematic macro-modules. The first module introduces the fundamentals of luxury and sustainability, exploring luxury market characteristics, business models, and ESG frameworks. The second module examines the operational sustainability challenges in luxury, focusing on supply chains, responsible sourcing, new materials, and innovation. The third module analyzes sustainable luxury consumer behavior, the psychological mechanisms underlying responsible purchase decisions, communication strategies, and the risk of greenwashing. The fourth module explores circular economy models applied to luxury and addresses sustainability measurement and reporting. The course integrates academic and managerial perspectives throughout, through reading and discussion of scientific papers, analysis of real business cases, and development of an applied project.

D’Aniello, A., Martinez-Levy, A.C., Amatulli, C., De Angelis, M., Pozharliev, R. (2025) Aesthetics and Sustainable Luxury Consumption. Evidence from Scientific Literature, Case Studies and Consumer Neuroscience. Palgrave McMillan, part of the book series: Palgrave Advances in Luxury https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-96833-4 ISBN: 978-3-031-96832-7 Amatulli, C., De Angelis, M., Costabile, M., & Guido, G. (2017). Sustainable luxury brands: Evidence from research and implications for managers. Springer. Additional readings and materials will be provided by the instructor.

The course adopts a blended teaching methodology integrating lectures, business case discussions, reading and discussion of academic contributions, and active learning activities. Lectures provide the conceptual and theoretical frameworks needed to understand sustainable luxury dynamics. Discussion of real business cases (LVMH, Kering, Gucci, Stella McCartney, Hermes) allows students to apply theoretical concepts to concrete managerial situations. Reading and discussion of selected academic papers develop the ability to critically evaluate scientific literature and to connect research and practice. Group work for the final project fosters the development of collaborative and project management skills. Lab sessions (e.g., sustainability report analysis, materials workshops) integrate the practical and applied component of the course.

Assessment is structured around three components: 1. Group project (40%): Students will work in groups of 4–5 to develop a strategic sustainability project applied to a luxury brand. The project includes an analysis of the brand’s current sustainable practices, identification of improvement areas, and development of strategic recommendations. The project will be presented orally in the final week of the course and submitted in written form. 2. Active participation and class discussion (20%): Assessment considers the quality and frequency of contributions during case and paper discussions. Students are expected to read assigned materials before each class. 3. Written final exam (40%): The exam assesses understanding of theoretical concepts and the ability to apply them to managerial situations. Includes open-ended questions and/or mini-case analysis. Duration: 60 minutes.

The Sustainable Luxury Management course can serve as the basis for an undergraduate thesis in areas consistent with the course topics. The criteria for the assignment of the final thesis are as follows: • The student must have passed the course exam with a grade of 26/30 or higher; • The student must demonstrate a specific and documented interest in one or more of the topics covered in the course (e.g., sustainable luxury consumer behavior, sustainability communication, circular economy in luxury, branding and authenticity); • The thesis may be theoretical-bibliographic, empirical-qualitative (e.g., case analysis) or empirical-quantitative (e.g., survey or secondary data analysis), subject to agreement with the instructor; • The student must agree on the topic and structure of the thesis with the instructor in a preliminary meeting, to be requested by email with a proposal document (max 1 page) outlining the topic, research question, and intended methodology.