ORIGINALLUXURY: Pioneering Transparency Through Technology in the Luxury Sector

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In a world where consumers are increasingly concerned about the origins and authenticity of the products they purchase, the Swiss Center for Luxury Research (SCLR), in collaboration with IMD and OriginAll, has launched an unprecedented initiative—focused on luxury transparency and traceability -"ORIGINALLUXURY"

We aim to centralize our endeavors with the ORIGINALLUXURY Consortium, leading up to an annual ORIGINALLUXURY Summit. Situated within the Swiss Center for Luxury Research, this hub will be dedicated to analyzing, displaying, and advocating for the newest technologies and innovations that enhance and empower brands and customers with precise and easily comprehensible information, fostering responsible decision-making. More than just a resource center, our goal is to facilitate collaboration, encourage knowledge exchange, and provide networking opportunities for industry professionals, technology experts, and global specialists.

Creating a Platform for Innovation: At the core of ORIGINALLUXURY is a dynamic digital platform that serves as a reference for sharing the latest innovative developments in the luxury industry, particularly those related to traceability and security technologies. Through partnerships with over 30 brands and 12 technology companies, ORIGINALLUXURY is already gaining traction and fostering collaboration among industry players.

Addressing Pain Points in the Market: The initiative's success is fueled by its deep understanding of the pain points faced by luxury brands, technology providers, and consumers alike. ORIGINALLUXURY identified three key challenges and is actively working to address them:

1. Brands' technology capacity: Luxury brands often lack the in-house capacity to develop transparency solutions and struggle to identify the most suitable solutions for their supply chains. ORIGINALLUXURY aims to empower brands by providing them with comprehensive information about readily available technologies, enabling them to enhance transparency within their companies and towards consumers.
2. Technology providers’ access to the C-suite: Simultaneously, tech suppliers often lack access to C-level representatives in the luxury industry and a deep understanding of their companies’ unique needs. ORIGINALLUXURY acts as an independent platform, bridging this gap by showcasing technology solutions and facilitating connections between brands and providers.
3. Consumer information overload: Consumers face a deluge of information and sustainability claims, often leading to confusion and misinformation. ORIGINALLUXURY aims to simplify this landscape by offering consumers an easy-to-understand primer that visually illustrates brands' transparency efforts. This empowers consumers to make informed and responsible purchasing decisions, helping to identify brands that prioritize transparency and traceability.

In addition to its global focus, ORIGINALLUXURY is placing a special emphasis on Africa for its first edition. The African continent, with its vast wealth of raw materials, has long been an integral foundation for the global luxury industry. From the vibrant gemstones and precious metals nestled in its earth to the unique textiles spun by its artisans, Africa's contributions are deeply embedded in the tapestry of luxury. However, as these materials journey from African soils into the hands of global consumers, the imperative for transparency is higher than ever. In line with this focus, the Secretary General of the AfCFTA, H.E: Wamkele Mene, already addressed our members at our previous Luxury Roundtable and ORIGINALLUXURY will be co-leading a Gold Traceability Workshop facilitated by one of Geneva’s leading private banks in October.