In Pursuit of Luxury (IPOL) is a professional association based at the University of Hertfordshire whose mission is to engage in a global dialogue with academia and industry on questions related to luxury. These range from the concept of luxury, the experience of luxury and its relation to self and society, and luxury’s existence as a material object in the global economy. Issues we explore include, but are not limited to, the origins and history of luxury, luxury as a practice in the creative industries and business, the creation, design, manufacture and production of luxury, the intersection of luxury and technology, the retail environment, sustainability and waste, marketing, branding and communications and philosophical thought on the subject of luxury. IPOL addresses these questions through conferences, publications and the creation of a variety of programmes and initiatives which are delivered to academic, industry and public audiences.
Working with the University of Hertfordshire, Yale School of Management, Koppelman School of Business at Brooklyn College, the Design Department at Politecnico di Milan and other partner organisations including Airbus, Design Observer, Intellect Books, Allsaints and IBM, the consortium disseminates IPOL’s research to the largest possible audience including delivering innovative international educational programs to both postgraduate students and industry.
IPOL also provides consultancy services to industry in the area of strategic planning, product and service development.
For further information or to apply for IPOL membership, please contact Nicholas Thomas providing a statement of your background, interests and the areas in which you wish to contribute.