A design student’s first steps towards a career in luxury retail
A Little About Me
Hi, I’m Abhilasha Verma, a fashion and lifestyle design student with a deep interest in creativity, fashion and the world of luxury. Coming from a design background, I have always been fascinated by how a brand can communicate a story through products, spaces, people and experiences. Starting a new academic chapter naturally came with a mix of excitement and nervousness. My three-day induction program turned out to be the perfect introduction—not just to my institute and classmates, but also to the kind of learning, exposure and conversations I can look forward to.
Every new beginning starts with a little curiosity.
Day 01 | Hello, New Beginnings
The first day was all about breaking the ice. We began with self-introductions, which was probably the simplest activity but one of the most meaningful—it was the first time we started putting faces to names and discovering the different personalities and backgrounds within our batch. A campus tour followed, helping us get familiar with our new surroundings. After a snack and beverage break, we were introduced to the rules and regulations, followed by lunch.
The afternoon became more interactive with an explanation of the ADL program and the exciting possibility of travelling to Milan. We ended the day with games such as ‘This or That’ and Chinese Whispers, which brought plenty of laughter. The final part of the day was dedicated to documentation work—proof that even the first day had its productive side!
Day 02 | Stepping Into Luxury
Day two was the highlight for me because we stepped outside the classroom and into the luxury retail world. We visited Chanakya Mall and explored four renowned luxury brands: Chanel, Amiri, Messika and Rolex. Each store offered a different interpretation of luxury through its visual merchandising, product presentation, materials and customer experience. Chanel especially caught my attention—
Walking into the Chanel store at Chanakya Mall, Delhi, I was immediately struck by the elegant and sophisticated atmosphere. The store reflected Chanel’s signature identity through its monochromatic palette, refined displays, and attention to detail. During my visit, I explored iconic products such as the Chanel 11.12 and 2.55 handbags, along with Chanel’s signature tweed jackets…the iconic quilted handbags, tweed pieces, jewellery and carefully designed interiors showed how craftsmanship and brand identity can come together. Seeing these details in person made the idea of luxury feel much more tangible. It was not just shopping; it was an observation exercise that made me look at retail through a designer’s eyes.
Day 03 | Questions, Conversations & Future Thinking
The final day was a power-packed blend of strategic thinking and academic orientation. We began with MSU documentation before attending a stellar panel discussion featuring distinguished industry leaders:
Industry Leaders & Panelists at LCBS
- Sulakshana Pathak — Ex-Brand Director @ BMW
- Radha Kapoor Khanna — Founder @ ISDI
- Devanshu Dutta — Founder @ Third Eyesight
The panel debated a crucial contemporary dialogue: “How AI is likely to impact the immediate future employment scenario.” Hearing experts dissect AI’s role in luxury marketing, creative design, and career evolution was deeply eye-opening.
After lunch, I presented my Day 2 observations on the luxury store visit. Presenting the experience made me revisit what I had seen and translate those observations into a more structured perspective.
More Than an Induction
Looking back, these three days felt like a small preview of the journey ahead. I entered the program knowing very little about the people, spaces and experiences waiting for me, and left with new faces to remember, new questions to explore and a clearer sense of the industry I want to understand. From campus games to luxury boutiques, and from documentation to conversations about AI and employment, every day added a different layer to the experience. Most importantly, the induction reminded me that learning does not always happen inside a classroom. Sometimes it happens while observing a display, listening to an industry expert, presenting your thoughts, or simply laughing with people who were strangers a day before.
And just like that, the first three days became the first page of a much bigger story.
Building a career in luxury retail at LCBS
LCBS prepares students for a career in luxury retail from the first week, with visits to Chanel, Amiri, Messika and Rolex at The Chanakya, New Delhi, and a panel on AI and the future of work in luxury. Explore the MBA in Luxury Brand Management, the Advance Diploma in Luxury Retail Management and the international module at Accademia del Lusso, Milan. Read more student blogs.
