The Luxury Business Master’s program focuses on the intersection between cultural business and the business of culture. The program aims to create the CEO who is capable of managing all luxury categories. This is the executive who, leveraging either heritage or innovation, manages companies and conquers markets.
Application Requirements
Completed online application
Personal statement
Curriculum vitae/resume
Digital portfolio (see Academic Info)
Official Undergraduate Degree transcript
Copy of Undergraduate Degree
Passport scan (photo page)
Digital photo (passport style)
Italian privacy consent form
Interview with course leader
Degree Length
9 months
Application Deadline
December 1
Apps accepted after deadline as space permits
Program Dates
March – November
Eligibility Requirements
Age: 18+
Academic: Completed Bachelor’s degree
*contact SAI if you don’t meet requirements
Undergraduate GPA:* 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale)
English Language:* Non-native English language speakers must submit IELTS: 5.6+ or equivalent.
Digital Portfolio
Students must submit a digital portfolio as part of their completed application. The portfolio should accurately reflect the applicant’s current skill level and creative identity. In addition, the portfolio should be adapted to the specific program of interest.
Master’s Course Details
Luxury Business features 7 in-depth and intensive modules, Craftsmanship, Design, Quality, Price, Prestige, Lifestyle, Brand. Each module includes a training project, plus a final project based on Uniqueness, where students implement their own business formula to a new start-up or to an existing company.
This master’s course includes many field trips, including one week in Paris accompanied by Linda Loppa. Classes focus on hands-on materials and are run by teachers and guests from the industry, who then act as one-to-one consultants during the final projects, which are presented in front of headhunters, investors and human resource managers.
Lessons take place from April to December and amount to a total of 700 contact hours. English language proficiency and attendance are required. Candidates with work experience or relevant studies in fashion and related fields will be selected after an enrollment questionnaire and an interview with the course’s leading teacher.
Career Opportunities
Luxury Business opens the doors to a career as an executive or entrepreneur in many categories including Fashion, Leather Goods, Perfumes, Fine Jewelry, Antiques, Pens & Watches, Cars, Yachts, Interior Design, Real Estate, Hotels, Food, Wine & Spirits, Wellness, and Art as the ultimate expression of a unique lifestyle.
The Master’s program tackles the following subject areas:
Craftsmanship: Insights and understanding of the key factors that make up the industry, mixing heritage, innovation and paradoxical management.
Design: The product formula that creates the legacy of a label, how to make it viable, financially sustainable and available whilst maintaining the original magic.
Quality: The start-up line in a traditional horizontal and in a contemporary vertical supply chain, how to create intrinsic quality with no compromises.
Price: Distribution, logistics, sales and customer relationship management in b2b and b2c, how to make a three years business plan for maximizing profits.
Prestige: New buying and merchandising formulas in retail and wholesale environments that can make the difference in the perception of the client.
Lifestyle: Understanding the life of luxury at different aspirational levels, from the most personal and private services to the total category extension.
Brand: The long term value beyond the everyday business, how to shape the identity of a luxury brand, launch it and manage it for growing its equity.
Uniqueness: Create an original and authentic business formula for a start-up or an existing company, a personal project by the student with one-to-one tutorship.
| SAI Program Fees* | USD |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | $140 |
| Program Fee Includes tuition, Master’s diploma and SAI Select Services, no housing (see What’s Included). |
Contact SAI |
| Optional / Additional Fees: | |
| International Mailing Supplement When applicable, students are charged an international mailing supplement to ensure visa paperwork arrives in a timely manner. |
$90 |
*prices are subject to change
| Budget | Low Est. | High Est. |
|---|---|---|
| Airfare to/from Florence |
$950 | $1,300 |
| Visa & Permit to Stay Fees |
$300 | $300 |
| Books, Course Fees & Supplies |
$50 / course | $100 / course |
| Housing SAI can provide recommendations. |
$1,200 / month | $2,500 / month |
| Meals Includes groceries and eating out. |
$650 / month | $800 / month |
| Personal Expenses | $300 / month | $400 / month |
| Transportation within Florence Public transportation with some taxi rides. |
$100 / month | $175 / month |
| Weekend Travel Cost varies greatly by student. |
$300 / month | $1,000 / month |
This is an SAI Select Services Program; it includes the important on-site services!
- Academic Master’s Diploma awarded by Polimoda
- Program tuition
- Student health insurance providing full coverage and medical emergency evacuation
- SAI orientation to the host city and school
- SAI staff on-site providing assistance as needed and 24-hour emergency support
Pre-departure and Re-entry services
- US-based admissions counselor assigned to you, providing friendly assistance
- Helpful pre-departure tools and resources
- Assistance with student visa application
- Assistance with financial aid and loan processing
- Paid registration fees for national re-entry conferences
- SAI alumni network
Housing is not included in SAI Select Services Programs. However, your SAI Admissions Counselor will be happy to provide you with information and recommendations for local housing agencies. Students who do not have prior housing arrangements should begin speaking with their Admissions Counselor as soon as possible.
Passports
Passports should be valid for 3 months after planned departure from Italy.
Student Visas
In accordance with Italian law students studying in Italy for 91 or more days are required to obtain a student visa. Those with Italian/EU citizenship are exempted. Non-US nationals should consult their local Consulate for information on student visa requirements.
Students must appear in person at the Italian Consulate to present their student visa application. Our Student Visa Office is available to assist students in getting ready for the appointment; SAI provides student visa consulting for all our students at no cost.