The world of business is getting greener, as organizations face growing pressure to reduce their environmental impact. Luxury fashion and hospitality, in particular, are feeling increasing demand from consumers for sustainable products.

In Europe, the McKinsey & Company State of Fashion 2025 report found that 77% of luxury shoppers are interested in purchasing sustainable products, and over 51% are willing to pay a premium for items made or shipped sustainably—highlighting the growing importance of sustainability in the luxury sector.

A specialized master’s program offers one pathway to gaining the necessary green skills, equipping students with both the technical know-how and soft skills to help businesses—including those in the luxury sector—transition to a more sustainable future.

Find out how two students from the MSc in Leading Sustainable Transformations at emlyon business school have launched careers in sustainability in the luxury sector, showing promise that they will help shape the business world for the better.

Developing a diverse skill set for sustainability

There is no one-size-fits-all approach—it requires a varied skill set to launch a successful career in sustainability in the luxury sector.

Through a comprehensive curriculum spanning corporate sustainability, change management, and sustainable development, the MSc in Leading Sustainable Transformations equips students with the knowledge and skills to navigate the multifaceted nature of sustainability.

“I really liked the balance of hard and soft skill classes,” says Alexandra Bernard-Wespiser (pictured right), a student from the program’s first cohort, who is now applying these skills in the luxury hospitality sector.

“A theatre workshop even helped me build public speaking skills—which is key for a career in sustainability, especially when presenting findings in a luxury business context.”

The interdisciplinary nature of the course also makes it suitable for students without a traditional business background. Jagoda Sokolowska joined the program with a bachelor’s in fashion design and a strong passion for sustainability. 

For her, the program offered the opportunity to gain the business acumen needed for impact-driven roles while deepening her knowledge of sustainability, which she now applies in the luxury fashion sector.

“What stood out was the wide range of classes. It drew me in because I didn’t have much business experience, and I wanted to see how sustainability played a role across different aspects of business. I really loved that it covered everything from finance and economics through to management, even classes on emotions and public speaking,” she says.

Broadening perspective through international exposure

Sustainability doesn’t just vary from industry to industry—it also differs from country to country. Each culture views it through its own lens, which directly shapes how sustainability is approached in business worldwide. For ambitious students hoping to launch global careers in sustainability in the luxury sector, gaining this international insight can be invaluable.

One way the MSc in Leading Sustainable Transformations fosters this perspective is through its international cohort. With students joining from across the globe, the program creates a space to learn directly from different cultural approaches to sustainability.

“The diversity in class was really rich—we worked with people from Mexico, India, Poland, France, and more. Everyone brought different insights into how sustainability works in their country,” says Alexandra.

Jagoda experienced a similar benefit, noting the value of working alongside classmates with different levels of experience: “Everyone had a different background. It was great to see this diversity of experiences, as well as ages.”

Another way the program broadens students’ horizons is through its global immersion opportunities. During their third term, students spend a semester at the London Interdisciplinary School, where they take part in the Red Thread Project—a team-based consulting assignment. This allows them to explore sustainability from a UK perspective and exchange insights from by their unique backgrounds.

“The semester in London really opened my mind to how sustainability is applied differently across the world,” expresses Alexandra.

Connecting classroom learning to industry practice

Real-world application is essential: it bridges the gap between theory and practice, deepens understanding of sustainability, and cultivates students into future leaders. For those looking to launch a career in sustainability in the luxury sector, hands-on experience is a crucial stepping stone.

During the final six months of the program, students at emlyon are required to complete a mandatory internship to validate their diploma.

For Jagoda, this has meant securing an internship with the sustainability team at Christian Dior Couture in Paris, taking on various projects depending on the team’s needs. She is currently focused on engagement and communication, from developing employee training modules to helping organize upcoming events. With her strong interest in materials and innovation, she will soon move into circularity projects. At Dior, she has been encouraged to direct her own path.

“I am really lucky—honestly, they really want me to do what I like the most and to be able to learn as much as possible about sustainability,” she says.

For Alexandra, who hopes to build a long-term career in hospitality management, her internship at the Ritz Paris has allowed her to cultivate the network and experiences she needs to succeed in the luxury hospitality sector.

“The sector is constantly adapting to the planet, so I think it is really great that my internship has given me the chance to tackle the challenge of implementing sustainability into the industry so early on in my career. It’s exactly what I needed.”

Laying the perfect foundation for a sustainability career

To launch a career in sustainability in the luxury sector, students need a strong foundation of technical and soft skills, reinforced by hands-on experience.

The MSc in Leading Sustainable Transformations—combining classroom learning, personal development, and real-world practice—provides exactly that.

“My master’s gave me a really big toolbox. The technical knowledge and the soft skills have been invaluable,” says Alexandra.

Armed with this expertise and experience, students graduate ready to step confidently into the workplace and begin shaping careers in sustainability, even with leading luxury brands like Dior. 

“I was previously trained in the technical aspects of fashion, but the MSc gave me the knowledge and credentials to prove I could work in sustainability,” adds Jagoda.