Françoise Serrault-Vivien: she trained in digital marketing and modernized the Make Up For Ever Academy
The biggest difficulty was not adapting to the world of luxury but overcoming my own apprehensions.
Francoise Serrault-Vivien
- Former position: Managing Director at Virgin Records
- New position: International Business Development & Marketing Director at Make Up For Ever
“I worked for 20 years in the music world with the Virgin Records label. My role was to develop artists like François Hardy and Benjamin Biolay on the French market. In 2018, at the dawn of my 50th birthday, I followed an intensive training in digital marketing and I joined the MBA of the Institut français de la mode while advising several start-ups.
I turned to the luxury sector because it is associated with know-how. I joined the LVMH group and took over the marketing and development direction of the Make Up For Ever Academy. When I arrived, this school, which trains professional makeup artists, was “a sleeping beauty”. My mission is to modernize and digitize it.
When I arrived at Make Up For Ever, my first surprise was to see that my atypical background was not an obstacle. My experiences in the world of creation were on the contrary an asset. The biggest difficulty was not adapting to the world of luxury – I took in-house training to understand its codes – but overcoming my own apprehensions. In the world of music, relationships are quite informal, so less coded than those of luxury.
Today, I blossom fully and as there are many bridges between the houses of the group, I know that I could take my career in different directions, for example in sustainable development and upcycling, which are issues that particularly interest me. »
The luxury sector is recruiting in 2021
The French giants in the sector limited breakage during the Covid-19 crisis. The sector, which has nearly a million direct and indirect jobs, continues to recruit for its activities in leather goods, perfumes, jewelry, wines…
Discover here the job offers in the luxury sector
Emmanuel Tatre: became HRD at Moët Hennessy thanks to a former colleague
My first contact was facilitated by a former PSA work colleague who had joined this company and with whom I had remained in contact.
Emmanuel Tatre
- Former position: Quality Director of a PSA Peugeot Citroën plant
- New position: HRD of Veuve Clicquot and Krug and HRD of Moët Hennessy Champagne
“Before joining Moët Hennessy in 2019, I worked for more than 20 years at PSA Peugeot Citroën. I held several positions in production management, in particular the post of quality manager for a plant in Slovakia, then HRD for the Mulhouse plant, then, finally, that of HRD for the R&D activity.
At 45, I then wanted to be part of a new dynamic and take up new challenges. I had, personally, a particular fondness for wine and champagne, probably because my Burgundian father worked in this sector. It therefore made sense to join Moët Hennessy Champagne, especially since the luxury sector was dynamic, innovative and offered great career prospects.
My first contact was facilitated by a former PSA work colleague who had joined this company and with whom I had remained in contact. I also set about completely rebuilding my professional network.
My first steps as HRD at Moët Hennessy Champagne? I spent a lot of time listening to the field teams, the social partners, to understand how the house works. I understood that, in luxury, the time scale was different : it takes between 8 and 10 years between the harvest and the tasting of a prestigious cuvée champagne. It is therefore important not to rush, to register its actions over time. »
Maximilien Moulin: he leaves the board and applies to Hermès with the nerve
Even though I had no experience in luxury, I applied and was seduced by the very concrete way in which Hermès presented itself.
Maximilian Moulin
- Former position: consultant at Wavestone
- New position: Head of Innovation Lab at Hermès since April 2020
“As a young graduate of a computer engineering school, I joined France Telecom and worked mainly in IP telephony. Then, after founding a start-up, I joined the consulting firm Wavestone, specializing in digital transformation, where I worked on topics related to artificial intelligence, data and innovation.
When I was not actively searching, I saw an ad from Hermès offering a position as head of its Innovation Lab, an entity that explores new technologies for its various businesses and subsidiaries. The position, which was related to IT since it was correlated with the DSI but in close proximity to the crafts of the house, immediately attracted me.
Even though I had no experience in luxury, I applied and I was immediately seduced by the very concrete way in which Hermès presented itself: a manufacturer and merchant of high-quality handicrafts. Moreover, Hermès is one of the emblems of “made in France” and this was an important criterion for me. However, I knew the competition was going to be tough.
During the recruitment process, however, I managed to demonstrate that I could adapt to different environments. When I was finally recruited in April 2020, I was accompanied by a sponsor and trained in the values of the house. At the same time, I trained myself in the world of luxury via online resources, videos, reference magazines, minutes of general meetings. »
Myriem Peret: she made her passion her job and joined Dior Couture
What I appreciate the most in the luxury sector, in addition to its incredible know-how, is the freedom it gives everyone to develop their idea and show initiative.
Photo credit: Sophie Carre
Former positions: mathematics teacher and real estate event organizers
New position: premiere of Atelier at Christian Dior Couture
“I started my career as a college math teacher. However, I quickly stopped this job to turn to the organization of events for a real estate group. In parallel with this work, my mother-in-law taught me to sew. I made, with her, theater costumes, wedding dresses… When my son was born and I had to stop sewing, I realized that it was not just a simple hobby. I resigned from my job and registered at ESMOD. I went there out of passion and nothing could have stopped me.
For 9 months, Itook evening classes as part of continuing education then I joined the last year of school, this time alongside young students. During my internships, I worked as a model maker with several stylists, one of whom hired me to help him with his collections. I then chained temporary assignments at Chanel, Lacroix, Vuitton… In each House, the techniques were different and my know-how was enriched.
I finally joined Dior Couture a year ago, as first in the workshop, after spending 7 years at Givenchy. This is a versatile management-oriented position. – I manage 17 people – solving technical problems, creativity… What I appreciate the most in the luxury sector, in addition to its incredible know-how, is the freedom it gives everyone to develop their idea and show initiative. However, I have not made a clean sweep of the past: I still use what I learned as a teacher, especially geometry in space. »
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