“The immersive week in Milan is where the lessons from previous months are stitched together into one garment of luxury lessons.”

Background

After finishing my master in Dutch civil law I have worked for over 25 years as a lawyer. Over these years I grew a wide variety of clients in the fashion and lifestyle industry,

I have always been fascinated by the part of this business that usually stays hidden. Which businesses and brands succeed and which fail? Which mechanisms rule the industry? What sets succesful brands apart? These questions reached beyond the borders of my legal profession.

So when in 2018 the opportunity knocked on my door, I decided to step into the fashion arena, getting to work for several smaller brands, one German, the other Dutch. In 2023 I joined the Antwerp Summer University with the two week course Fashion Management. this paved the way for participation in the 2024 Academia Cerebra micro masters Luxury Brand Management. The course at Academia Cerebra did not disappoint,

Discovery

Not only did Academia Cerebra literally opened doors, the course also widened my perspective. With in depth presentations on topics that are relevant for every luxury brand. Especially the speakers on consumer psychology and the presentations on (anti-)marketing were eye-openers.

Several aspects of these lessons were transferred one way or the other into my daily work. The online sessions brought many experts to the table. With unique close ups and personal experiences, all linked by luxury. The immersive week in Milan was a true cherry on the cake.

Not only because this is where you meet the other participants and many speakers from the online sessions. It is also where the lessons from previous months are stitched together into one garment of luxury lessons.

Current trajectory:

The course at Academia Cerebra fueled a desire to make a new carreer move. Since November 2025 I’ve joined Aurélien, a brand best described as a quiet luxury brand embodying Mediterranean style and joie-de-vivre.

Here I am working at the heart of the operations, with daily attention to worldwide wholesale customers , logistics and online experience. At age 56 I still feel my carreer is just getting started and I must say that feeling is priceless. I will not stop learning.

City:
Utrecht, The Netherlands

Education:
Bachelor’s degree in business administration,
master in Dutch civil law

Mentor:
Hadrian Beltrametti Walker, Vice-President,
Legal EMEA & Caribbean, Rosewood Hotels

Role:
Administrative coördinator wholesale and e-commerce at Aurélien