Visiting Professor Emmanuelle Noyer, European General Manager at Charlotte Tilbury, joined Regent’s students for an insightful conversation on career development, the evolving luxury landscape, and what it takes to succeed in the industry today. Interviewed by MA International Fashion Marketing student Charlotte Guillot and BA Fashion Design student Maja Chang, the session offered a candid look at both the opportunities and realities of a career in luxury.
Emmanuelle’s journey began when she moved to the UK to complete her master’s degree, securing an internship through persistence and quickly proving herself in a fast-paced environment. Her early career included roles at Revlon and later Estée Lauder, where she progressed rapidly after taking on unexpected responsibility early on. Reflecting on this period, she emphasised the importance of humility, resilience, and learning through challenge.
A defining theme for her career has been adaptability. Starting in a world dominated by print and TV advertising, she later had to ‘completely relearn’ her role as digital transformation reshaped the industry. Rather than resisting change, she embraced it - adopting practices such as reverse mentoring and maintaining a mindset of constant curiosity.
‘Business is a constant evolution,’ she explained. ‘You can always learn something.’
For students entering the luxury sector, Emmanuelle emphasised the importance of connecting directly with consumers. ‘Speak to them, face them, interact with them’, she advised. Whether through internships or retail experience, understanding the
customer is critical to making informed decisions and maintaining a brand’s identity.
She also highlighted the value of soft skills alongside technical expertise. Authenticity, adaptability, and observation are key qualities for young professionals navigating corporate environments. ‘The best leaders are authentic,’ she noted, ‘but authenticity doesn’t mean you can’t adapt.’
While she embraces innovation, including the use of AI to improve efficiency and forecasting, Emmanuelle was clear about its limits. Human insight remains essential, particularly in an industry driven by emotion and personal experience. ‘Nothing can replace the human touch,’ she said, pointing to in-store experts as a vital source of real-world feedback.
Emmanuelle also challenged common perceptions of the luxury industry. ‘Backstage is always different,’ she explained, highlighting that alongside moments of creativity and glamour, much of the work involves operational complexity and strategic decision-making. At its core, however, luxury is about personalisation and emotion - ‘how it makes you feel’.
For Charlotte Guillot, the experience of hosting the discussion was both inspiring and instructive. She highlighted the importance of stepping outside her comfort zone, as well as Emmanuelle’s emphasis on soft skills and real-world experience. ‘Understanding the customer through direct interaction stood out to me most,’ she said, noting its relevance as she prepares to enter the industry.
Emmanuelle’s advice to students is clear: work hard, stay curious, and trust your instincts. Above all, she encourages young professionals to remain true to their values - because long-term success depends not just on what you achieve, but how you achieve it.