Mumbai, October 15, 2026: India’s rich craftsmanship and centuries-old artisanal traditions offer a strong foundation for building a distinctive global luxury identity. However, supporting artisan livelihoods and passing traditional skills on to future generations must become priorities as the country’s luxury sector evolves, said Vittoria Ferragamo, granddaughter of legendary Italian footwear designer Salvatore Ferragamo, founder of the luxury fashion house FERRAGAMO.
Vittoria, who serves as Head – Sustainability & Special Projects and Board Member, Il Borro Toscano, was speaking at an Indo-Italian luxury panel hosted by SP Jain School of Global Management (SP Jain Global). The event marked the 10th anniversary of the school’s Master in Global Luxury Goods & Services Management (MGLuxM) program.
Ferragamo emphasised that the true value of luxury lies in the people and skills behind its creation. “A luxury brand needs artisans. My grandfather built Ferragamo on the skilled hands of Italian craftsmen. Similarly, India’s luxury identity rests on millions of artisans who carry generations of knowledge. Our shared challenge is to protect their livelihoods, safeguard their techniques and ensure the next generation proudly inherits these crafts,” she said.
The panel brought together voices from luxury fashion, jewellery, lifestyle and communications to examine how India and Italy can draw on their shared traditions of craftsmanship, design and family entrepreneurship to shape the future of luxury. Moderated by Smita Jain, Program Director at SP Jain Global, the discussion featured Vittoria Ferragamo; Neelam Kothari, Jeweller, Creative Director & Proprietor, Neelam Jewel; Rizwan Bachav, Key Opinion Leader – Luxury Lifestyle; and Gauri Kohli, Partner Director – Luxury & Beauty, PR Pundit Havas Red.
Speaking about India’s potential in the global jewellery market, Neelam Kothari said, “Our craftsmanship is world-class and can stand alongside the best globally. When Indian jewellery heritage meets Roman influences and contemporary design, it creates something truly distinctive. There is a much bigger story to be told about Indian jewellery on the global stage.”
Rizwan Bachav drew attention to Italy’s success in building global luxury narratives around its craftsmanship and the opportunity for India to do the same. “Italy has mastered the art of turning craftsmanship into a compelling story. India, too, has an extraordinary wealth of craft traditions that are yet to reach a wider global audience. There is immense potential for India and Italy to collaborate, bring these crafts to the world and create new narratives around their shared heritage,” he said.
Gauri Kohli highlighted the growing importance of cultural relevance in shaping how luxury is perceived and valued. “Today, luxury goes beyond the price tag. It is about the cultural significance, stories and meaning attached to a product. Cultural currency is becoming the bigger marker of luxury,” she said.
Reflecting on the program’s decade-long journey, Nitish Jain, President, SP Jain Global, said that the changing nature of luxury calls for a new generation of professionals. “Over the last decade, luxury has expanded beyond traditional products and status to encompass culture, experiences, sustainability, craftsmanship and purpose. MGLuxM has been committed to developing talent equipped to navigate this evolving landscape. As India’s luxury sector enters its next phase of growth, professionals who can bridge Indian heritage with global business practices will be critical,” he said.
The celebrations also featured a special address by Bollywood actor and producer Taha Shah and brought together luxury industry leaders, academics, alumni and industry partners from India and Italy for an evening celebrating craftsmanship, cultural exchange and a decade of luxury management education.
About MGLuxM
Launched in 2016, the Master in Global Luxury Goods & Services Management (MGLuxM) at SP Jain School of Global Management is designed to prepare professionals for careers in the global luxury industry. The program combines academic learning with industry exposure and has built a network of over 1,000 alumni and more than 290 industry partners over the past decade.
