Luxury and sustainability are evolving rapidly, reshaping how brands operate and connect with their audiences. This was the focus of a thought-provoking panel discussion which formed part of Regent’s Distinguished Speaker Series.
The event featured four influential figures in the luxury sector: Eshita Kabra, Founder and CEO of By Rotation; Madeleine Macey, CEO of Skydiamond; Olivia Canham, Sustainability Manager at Monica Vinader; and Sally Taylor, Regent’s Industry Expert and former Director of EIP at Net-a-Porter. They shared insights, challenges, and aspirations for integrating sustainability into luxury.
Making sustainability a standard
Olivia emphasised that sustainability must become a standard rather than a topic for debate. ‘If we don’t start looking at sustainability properly, we won’t be here to discuss it’ she urged. At Monica Vinader, Olivia has focused on building a clear sustainability strategy that balances the needs of the brand, its customers, and the industry. Her priority is traceability and transparency in the supply chain, areas where she believes the greatest impact can be made.
Olivia highlighted the challenges of staying committed to sustainability during difficult times. ‘Your mission is a dual mission: profit and planet’, she explained, encouraging brands to think long-term rather than prioritising short-term gains.
Innovating within the industry
Madeleine shared her journey leading Skydiamond, a pioneering company creating lab-grown diamonds from carbon capture. By transforming pollutant air into a luxury product, Skydiamond is redefining the diamond market, ‘we exist for a mission - to inspire another way, without comprising our environment'. Madeleine noted, this does present challenges 'as the most sustainable businesses are generally the most expensive businesses’.
She also addressed the shifting market dynamics, where climate urgency intersects with economic uncertainty. For Madeleine, innovation and clear goals are essential: ‘to put into a sentence what you’re trying to do is the most important thing, because that helps you shut out the noise and focus on what you do best’.
Redefining ownership and access
Eshita, Founder and CEO of By Rotation, has built a platform that redefines how people engage with fashion. Describing her vision, she said, ‘what I want to do is create the world’s largest shared wardrobe’. By Rotation allows customers to rent and lend designer pieces, creating a more sustainable model while fostering community connections.
Eshita discussed how generational shifts are reshaping the concept of ownership, with many younger consumers happy to rent instead of buy. By focusing on trust and transparency, By Rotation has created a seamless customer experience akin to ‘the Airbnb of designer fashion’.
Collaboration over competition
Sally framed the discussion around the broader implications for the luxury industry, acknowledging that sustainability is a complex and evolving topic. Sally advocated and encouraged brands to remain engaged, advising, ‘don’t get overwhelmed, just do what you can’.
Sally and Olivia both highlighted the importance of collaboration between brands. ‘Compete on your product, don’t compete on sustainability,’ Olivia remarked, stressing the value of working together to drive meaningful change.
Advice for the future
The panellists offered practical advice for students and aspiring luxury professionals. Madeleine encouraged attendees to ‘celebrate what we can do rather than what we can’t do’.
Eshita emphasised the importance of trust and creating products aligned with sustainable values. ‘It’s about creating a circular economy and transforming the mind-set of consumption - not about more stuff we don’t need’ she explained.
For Olivia, storytelling is key: ‘people are buying into stories and into Founders – it's emotive. Showing you care beyond profit, can really help’. She stressed that sustainability must be part of a company’s DNA from the start.
Looking ahead
The panel concluded with a powerful message: sustainability is not optional for the future of luxury.
Keep an eye out for future Visiting Professorship and Distinguished Speaker Series on our Events page – or catch up with previous events.