It’s no secret that attracting and keeping retail talent is becoming ever more difficult. To tackle this challenge, luxury giant LVMH’s North American division has taken its recruiting efforts straight to the source — colleges and universities.
“At LVMH, we believe that our people are our greatest asset, and the longevity of our brands depends on attracting the most talented and passionate individuals,” said Gena Smith, Chief Human Resources Officer at LVMH North America in comments shared with Retail TouchPoints. “To engage the next generation of leaders, we prioritize top-tier programs that reflect our core values of creativity, innovation and excellence, while showcasing the diverse career paths available within the luxury industry. We aim to inspire and connect with those who dream of a future in luxury, helping them transform those dreams into fulfilling careers.”
The way LVMH does this is multi-faceted — from the more traditional approach of internship programs to deeper engagements such as an eight-week online certification, dedicated courses to prepare students for careers in the luxury industry and a wide-reaching Student Ambassador scholarship program at schools across the country.
“Connecting with students at the outset of their career journey provides us with a unique opportunity to underscore the wide and unique range of career opportunities LVMH offers,” said Jasmine Humphrey, Director of Campus and Cultural Engagement at LVMH in an interview with Retail TouchPoints.
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Here’s a peek inside LVMH’s forward-looking approach to talent development.
Student Ambassadors Boost LVMH’s Profile and Attract Other Talent
Every year LVMH selects a slate of diverse students from across the country to serve as LVMH ambassadors on their campuses. These ambassadors receive a one-year scholarship of $5,000, and in exchange they play a pivotal role in enhancing the LVMH brand among their fellow students by sharing their experiences, insights and passion for luxury. They do this by hosting on-campus engagements, participating in strategic social media initiatives, attending LVMH events and more. As an added perk, Ambassadors are trained at a three-day onsite in New York in early summer, with travel and accommodations covered by LVMH.
This year the coveted roles are open to U.S. college or university students graduating in 2027 with a minimum GPA of 3.5 and a demonstrated passion for the luxury industry. “We seek well-rounded individuals who are passionate about luxury savoir-faire, possess leadership skills, are creative and innovative thinkers, have effective communication and can demonstrate an entrepreneurial mindset,” said Humphrey. “Essentially, we’re looking for students who embody the values of LVMH and are eager to share their enthusiasm with others.”
In addition to raising the profile of LVMH and its many maisons (or brands) — which include Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, Sephora, Moët Hennessy and others — Student Ambassadors also raise awareness of the other career development opportunities available with the company.
Free Online Training that Evolves with the Luxury Industry
One of the biggest opportunities that Ambassadors make their classmates aware of is the Inside LVMH guided training and insights platform, a free online resource launched in 2016 that provides access to luxury education and in-depth knowledge about the luxury sector. Students also can take an eight-week certification course to boost their profile when they begin their job hunt after college.
The courses available on the platform teach both theoretical and practical knowledge and feature experts from LVMH and the luxury industry, as well as professors from renowned schools including HEC Paris, Bocconi, Institut Français de la Mode, Harvard, Central Saint Martins and CentraleSupelec. Courses cover everything from background on LVMH and the luxury industry as a whole to retail experience, branding, operations and supply chain.
“Students and early career individuals should possess a proficiency in basic luxury principles, consumer behavior and navigating ambiguity,” said Humphrey. “They should also be agile, culturally aware and passionate about delivering exceptional experiences. In today’s luxury landscape, a combination of strong business acumen, creativity, customer-centricity and digital fluency is essential.
“While the fundamentals of luxury remain constant, we continually adapt our engagement strategies to reflect current trends and challenges within the industry,” she added. “We address topics such as retail innovation, digital transformation, evolving consumer behaviors and the impact of economic fluctuations. This ensures that our programs remain relevant and prepare students for the dynamic landscape of the luxury sector that will no doubt continue to grow and evolve.”
And this focus on training continues well beyond school for those who end up working at LVMH: “We also have accelerated our training programs at all levels of the organization in the past few years to deliver a more bespoke offering, from leadership skill trainings to apprenticeship and mentorship programs,” said Humphrey. “We often create programming that responds to their interests — from data and AI to supply chain, leadership and management skills. We’ve found that this approach resonates with our talent and creates a foundation for impactful employee engagement, retention and innovation.”
Focusing in on the Convergence of Luxury Branding and Art
In addition to its online courses, LVMH also has co-developed an immersive course at Spelman College in Atlanta that blends concepts of luxury branding and art curation to prepare students for careers in the luxury and creative industries.
Course highlights include an exploration of:
- How top brands like Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co. and Dior use art to shape their identity;
- How curating art enhances brand storytelling and customer experiences;
- The various career roles available in retail, branding, creative direction and marketing;
- Immersions to New York City and Paris sponsored by LVMH; and
- The chance to engage with LVMH mentors and explore career and internship opportunities.
“Luxury brands often leverage art to enhance their brand storytelling, create unique customer experiences and shape their overall identity,” explained Humphrey. “The Spelman College course recognizes this synergy, exploring how curatorial skills can be applied within the luxury retail context. By understanding the intersection of art and luxury, students gain a deeper appreciation for brand building, visual merchandising and the creation of compelling narratives that resonate with discerning consumers.”
Nothing Like the Tried-and-True Internship
As all college students know, there’s no better “in” at a company than an internship, and LVMH delivers with 10-week-long programs that give students the chance to dive into the luxury industry waters at some of the company’s top maisons.
A year-long paid LVMH Legal Fellowship Program also grants two lucky law school grads the unique experience of being exposed to all major sectors of the luxury industry through the four pillars of the LVMH legal department: strategy and operations; commercial, IP and real estate; litigation and employment; and regulatory and privacy.
“Our early engagement with potential talent gives us a competitive edge in attracting top-tier candidates,” said Humphrey. “It helps us identify future leaders, enhances internal mobility, builds a pipeline of qualified candidates for internships and full-time positions and fosters a sense of community around the LVMH brand.”
