The Luxury Society Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Welcome to The Luxury Society Podcast, hosted by journalist Robin Swithinbank & David Sadigh, founder and CEO of DLG (Digital Luxury Group).

In this podcast we’re going to be dissecting the brands, the businesses and the behaviours that make the luxury world go round.  We will be bringing you exclusive insider conversations, data-driven insights, expert analysis and interviews with the biggest names in luxury. 

So who’s behind all these bewilderingly beautiful brands that decorate airport billboards and pepper our social media feeds.  

How do they grab our attention – and of course, our wallets? Who’s up? Who’s in? Who’s circling the gilded drain? 

Luxury has always prided itself in exclusivity and secrecy. But today, the industry faces new pressures – to be more responsible, more innovative, and more transparent. 

So what does the future hold for one of the world’s oldest and most revered industries? We will be opening up the conversation with insights from DLG and other sector experts.

Join us on April 1 when our first episode drops. You’ll find us on Apple, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.

A very warm welcome to the very first episode of the Luxury Society Podcast, brought to you by DLG (Digital Luxury Group), hosted by Robin Swithinbank & David Sadigh.

Together, we're going to be deep-diving into the world of luxury to try and figure out how it works, who is behind it, and just what brands and businesses need to do to be successful in it. 

Coming up in this first episode, we'll be speaking to one of the industry's top CEOs about a billion-dollar partnership that looks set to transform his brand's fortunes, Antoine Pin, CEO TAG Heuer on Formula 1.  Then we're going to delve into some of the data behind it that proves why it might just be the best billion dollars ever spent.

Follow us @digitalluxurygroup and @robin_swithinbank on Instagram

Produced by Juliet Fallowfield in 2025, Fallow, Field & Mason

In this second episode of the Luxury Society Podcast, Robin Swithinbank and David Sadigh dive deep into the ever-evolving world of luxury as they are joined by Brian Duffy, CEO of Watches of Switzerland Group, who gives a rare behind-the-curtain view of Europe’s largest Rolex boutique, the state of global watch demand, and the future of luxury retail.

In this episode: 

• Rolex’s retail revolution: Why Watches of Switzerland invested tens of millions into a new Rolex flagship & certified pre-owned watches and the psychology of the Rolex buyers
• Market Trends vs. Reality: Is the luxury watch market in decline or stronger than ever?
• Spotlight on China: Debunking myths around the Chinese luxury market & the rise of Daigou: friend or foe to luxury brands?
• Brand Power & Retail Resilience: Why Rolex and Patek Philippe remain unstoppable revenue drivers
• Digital Strategy & Storytelling: What the Hodinkee acquisition means for future digital growth
• Strategic Moves & Business Health: The rationale behind the group’s £25 million share buyback

Brought to you by https://digitalluxurygroup.com/ 

Follow us @digitalluxurygroup & @robin_swithinbank on Instagram

Produced by Juliet Fallowfield, 2025 www.fallowfieldmason.com

In this third episode of the Luxury Society Podcast, Robin Swithinbank and David Sadigh discuss the ever-evolving world of luxury following Trump’s tariff announcements. 

Key topics include: 

• LVMH’s Q1 Performance: Sales missed expectations with a 5% shortfall. Fashion & leather goods saw a 5% dip, and issues at their Texas site raise quality concerns.
• Hermès on the Rise: Surpasses LVMH’s market cap (briefly). Touted as a “tech stock in disguise” due to tight supply control, no discounting, and high investor confidence.
• The China Question: Is China luxury’s comeback kid in 2025? Max Peiro from DLG’s Re-Hub dives into the Q4 Compass Index to assess digital and e-commerce performance across 150+ brands in China.

Brought to you by https://digitalluxurygroup.com/ 

Follow us @digitalluxurygroup & @robin_swithinbank on Instagram

Produced by Juliet Fallowfield, 2025 www.fallowfieldmason.com

In this fourth episode of the Luxury Society Podcast, Robin Swithinbank and David Sadigh explore the remarkable rise of Porsche with rare insights from Deniz Keskin, Director of Brand Management and Partnerships, Porsche.

Recorded at Soho House Summit at Soho Farmhouse in the UK’s cotswolds, the conversation reveals how the brand rejected rigid definitions in favor of internal dialogue, emotional connection, and a bold reimagining of what luxury can mean.

In this episode:

• The Power of Purpose: How Porsche’s brand values—engineered precision, timeless design, and emotional relevance—drove a decade of commercial growth
• Design-Driven Desire: Why Peter Varga sees design as the human heart of Porsche and how aesthetics communicate feeling
• Breaking Silos: How marketing and design teams worked together to align vision and execution
• Beyond the Product: The move from transactional relationships to emotional storytelling
• What Other Luxury Brands Can Learn: Lessons in internal brand dialogue, courage, and customer intimacy
• Luxury’s Evolving Language: Why brands must be fluent in emotion, not just heritage

Brought to you by https://digitalluxurygroup.com/

Follow us @digitalluxurygroup & @robin_swithinbank on Instagram

Produced by Juliet Fallowfield, 2025 www.fallowfieldmason.com

In this episode of the Luxury Society Podcast, hosts Robin Swithinbank and David Sadigh explore the rapidly evolving landscape of the Chinese luxury consumer market. 

Joined by Pablo Mauron, Managing Partner China & Board Member at DLG (Digital Luxury Group) and expert on luxury brands in China, the conversation delves into the shifting preferences and growing confidence of Chinese buyers.

Key topics discussed:

• The Paradigm Shift: How the Chinese luxury consumer has matured in a short period, evolving from an "educated" consumer to one with distinct preferences and a stronger sense of self.
• The Role of Young Consumers: Despite the rise of high-net-worth individuals, younger consumers continue to lead trends, reshaping brand expectations and influencing older generations of buyers.
• Cultural Sensitivity in Branding: The importance of reinterpreting Chinese cultural symbols with authenticity, as brands like Gucci and Burberry have done with elements like bamboo weaving craftsmanship and the iconic bamboo handbag.
• Local Innovation and Global Impact: How Chinese consumers are embracing local products like EV cars and beauty brands while still appreciating global luxury, fostering a dynamic market ripe for local innovation.
• The New Tier One Cities: A look at how brands are expanding into China's emerging cities, such as Chengdu and Wuhan, and how the luxury retail footprint is diversifying beyond the traditional tier one cities.
• Travel Resurgence and Opportunities Abroad: With China lifting its outbound travel restrictions, the conversation touches on how luxury brands should rethink their marketing strategies for Chinese travellers, who represent a significant portion of global luxury sales.

Brought to you by https://digitalluxurygroup.com/

Follow us @digitalluxurygroup & @robin_swithinbank on Instagram

Produced by Juliet Fallowfield, 2025 www.fallowfieldmason.com

In this episode of the Luxury Society Podcast, hosts Robin Swithinbank and David Sadigh speak with Gerry McGovern, Chief Creative Officer at Jaguar Land Rover, about Jaguar’s dramatic reinvention. With car sales paused and a controversial brand overhaul underway, McGovern explains why the future of Jaguar depends on embracing change—even if it means dividing opinion.

They discuss:

• The global reaction to the Type 00 concept and rebrand
• The backlash on social media
• The creative vision behind transforming Jaguar from a struggling carmaker into a modern luxury brand.

Gerry shares insights on branding, polarising design and why emotional connection matters more than mass appeal.

Benedicte Soteras, Partner and International Client Director at DLG provides data insights, revealing record online engagement, spikes in search interest, and Jaguar’s emerging relevance in the wider luxury space.

Brought to you by https://digitalluxurygroup.com/

Follow us @digitalluxurygroup & @robin_swithinbank on Instagram

Produced by Juliet Fallowfield, 2025 www.fallowfieldmason.com

In this episode, Robin Swithinbank is joined by Chabi Nouri, Global CEO of Bonhams and former CEO of Piaget, to explore the dynamic world of luxury auctions. From classic cars and contemporary art to collectible watches and rare artifacts, Bonhams operates across 60+ categories with an expanding global footprint.

Chabi shares why she moved from private equity back into luxury, what makes Bonhams unique in today’s market, and how consumer behaviour is evolving in the high-end resale world. She discusses what’s hot (cars, jewellery, Asian art), what’s changing (younger, more digital collectors), and what lies ahead for both Bonhams and the broader auction market.

Highlights include: 

• Which auction categories are thriving right now
• The rise of international buyers and evolving collector demographics
• The emotional drivers behind collecting — from investment to nostalgia

Also in this Episode:

🔋China’s Luxury EV Surge
Pablo Mauron joins from Shanghai to break down the rise of Chinese EV brands like BYD, NIO, and Xiaomi. He explains how these brands are reshaping the premium automotive sector with innovative tech, family-first branding, and aggressive social media strategies — and what that means for the future of global mobility.

🔁 On the Download: The Resale Boom
Benedicte Soteras returns to dive into the latest data on the booming luxury resale market. She unpacks how platforms like Vestiaire Collective, Farfetch, and Watchfinder are growing fast, what it means for luxury brands, and how pre-owned searches now outpace primary market growth — especially in watches and jewellery.

Brought to you by https://digitalluxurygroup.com/

Follow us @digitalluxurygroup & @robin_swithinbank on Instagram

Produced by Juliet Fallowfield, 2025 www.fallowfieldmason.com

In this episode, hosts Robin Swithinbank and David Sadigh welcome Luca Solca, one of the most respected analysts in the global luxury sector. They explore the current turbulence in the luxury market, from macroeconomic pressures and post-pandemic consumer behavior to creative turnover and digital transformation. Luca offers razor-sharp commentary on everything from Swatch Group’s boardroom drama to China's shifting luxury landscape.

Highlight include: 

• The macro view: Is luxury really in crisis, or just correcting after post-COVID exuberance?
• China's impact: How real estate and consumer confidence are shaping Chinese luxury demand.
• Luxury’s pricing problem: Have brands pushed price hikes too far?
• Creative churn: Why soft luxury is facing unprecedented designer turnover.
• Swatch Group spotlight: A look inside the shareholder drama and what's next for this Swiss giant.
• Retail recalibration: Why brands are closing smaller stores to focus on flagship experiences.
• Golden rules of luxury: Growth vs. exclusivity—and why that tension still defines the industry.
  
  

Also in this episode:

DLG Insights: Aude Degrassat discusses Apple’s Vision Pro 

On the Download with DLG's Benedicte Soteras: 

• Winners: Qeelin, Max Mara, Louis Vuitton, Van Cleef & Arpels
• Losers: Watch brands suffering a 32% YoY drop in China
• Trend: Extreme polarization in China’s luxury e-commerce performance

Brought to you by https://digitalluxurygroup.com/

Follow us @digitalluxurygroup & @robin_swithinbank on Instagram

Produced by Juliet Fallowfield, 2025 www.fallowfieldmason.com

In this episode, hosts Robin Swithinbank and David Sadigh welcome Arjen van de Vall, CEO of Watchfinder & Co., for a deep dive into the fast-evolving pre-owned luxury watch market. They explore how the industry has matured since the pandemic-era boom, how buyer behavior is shifting, and why trust—not timepieces—is the real product Watchfinder sells. Arjen shares insights on market volatility, brand performance, counterfeits, and the company's global expansion strategy.

Highlights include:

• Market correction: Has the post-COVID speculation phase finally settled?
• Buyer behavior: Why Gen Z and Millennials are embracing pre-owned watches
• Brand leaders: How Omega and Cartier are outperforming in the secondary market
• Authentication at scale: Inside Watchfinder’s 60-step process to detect fakes

Also in this episode:

• On the Download with Benedicte Soteras
• Watch resale insights from DLG's Sentinel Tracker
• Top performer: Richard Mille resells at 44% above retail

Brought to you by https://digitalluxurygroup.com/

Follow us @digitalluxurygroup & @robin_swithinbank on Instagram

Produced by Juliet Fallowfield, 2025 www.fallowfieldmason.com