Polimoda renews collaboration with Gucci to present new edition of master

Florence-based fashion school Polimoda has renewed its collaboration with Italian luxury fashion house Gucci to present the new edition of the Master in Fashion Retail and Omnichannel Management.

Launched in 2018, the master was created from the collaboration to prepare students for a career in fashion and luxury retail. The new edition of the master has adopted an innovative approach by providing students with the tools to operate in an omnichannel context to adapt to the evolution of the fashion industry.

The new edition of the course will be presented during a live streaming event on 23 May. Francesco Falai, Gucci’s senior vice-president of global people retail and business functions, along with Oscar Mariani, Gucci’s senior vice-president of omnichannel operations and performance, will be interviewed by Polimoda and graduates of the master that work at Gucci.

Massimiliano Giornetti, director of Polimoda, said in a statement: “Fashion brands are now facing new challenges to win over consumers. An elegant shop, an online store window full of products and an influencer post are no longer enough. Everyone wants what they cannot find, something exclusive.

“Luxury shoppers desire unique and unforgettable experiences both online and offline. Thanks to the collaboration with Gucci, this master will prepare a new generation of professionals in omnichannel retail, capable of guiding brands with content creation and innovative experiences for consumers.”

The nine-month master is aimed toward students who wish to work in sectors such as e-commerce client engagement and digital retail operations; the course will provide the following modules: fashion store concept, interpersonal skills, luxury fashion business and omnichannel retail management.

Throughout the studies, there will be trips to Gucci’s offices with guest lectures from the House’s top management. Students who perform well in the master will be eligible for selection by Gucci for internships or job opportunities.

Mariani explained: “Omnichannel is playing an increasingly central role in fashion and luxury brand's strategies. At Gucci, we have been working for years to offer our customers an immersive and seamless experience, integrating the physical and digital realms as much as possible.

“We are therefore delighted to continue our collaboration with Polimoda and contribute to the training of a new generation of talents, who, more than ever, will be called upon to anticipate and interpret the changes in the world of luxury retail.”