Expert Tips To Find And Land A Job In The Luxury Industry

Luxury is a difficult industry to crack. They say ‘it’s not what you know, it’s who you know’. The experts at MO Luxury beg to differ.

Granted, getting noticed can rely heavily on connections, but when it comes down to it, MO Luxury says that working in luxury is all about what you know: product, brand, history, competitors and etiquette.

“Working in luxury requires a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’, but it’s also heavily reliant on a structured and considered way of doing business,“ says Melinda O’Rourke of MO Luxury.

We spoke to Melinda O’Rourke, former General Manager of Chanel Fashion and Country Manager of Prada who is now Managing Director of boutique agency MO Luxury. MO Luxury is recognised as Australia’s premiere experts in luxury industry recruitment and placement. Their extensive industry relationships can help you land your dream job.

So, ‘how do I get in’, you ask? MO Luxury is there to help. MO Luxury is the only Australian recruiter operating exclusively within the luxury industry. They haven’t formed a recruitment company and branched into the luxury niche, they’ve evolved from within that niche.

RESCU: What is the best way to break into working in the luxury industry?

MO Luxury: We advocate that the best way to learn the fundamentals of luxury is through the most important part of the business, the retail doors.

RESCU: Why would we consider going through a specialist recruitment agency?

MO Luxury: We know the exact skills required to succeed in this industry (from our own experience) and we have hand-picked countless successful candidates for positions within top luxury brands. It’s an art, not a science, and we’ve got it sorted.

RESCU: Tell us about the company and the brands Melinda O’Rourke has worked with.

MO Luxury: The founder and director, Melinda O’Rourke, is a luxury business specialist whose reputation precedes her. She has over 20 years experience working for some of the world’s most luxurious brands, including Chanel, Prada and YSL. MO Luxury was born from a foundation of understanding and having an innate sense for the tangible and intangible assets these companies hold dear.

RESCU: What exactly does MO Luxury do?

MO Luxury: MO Luxury is a portal to the luxury industry. We connect people. We manage a number of positions, and actively seek people to fill these roles. We will coach you if necessary, and provide feedback for how to make the best impression.

RESCU: This sounds like an incredible opportunity for anyone who is serious about moving into the luxury industry. How can people take a dream to reality?

MO Luxury: We want to talk to anyone with a passion for luxury. Experienced business people looking to move into luxury, people with specialist knowledge (beauty, fine jewellery, watches, or shoes, for example). Speak to us! We might have your dream job on our desk right now…

Rescu. Recommends:

We regularly speak to Melinda O’Rourke as a Rescu. contributing Expert on all things luxury and also for career advice. Melinda is regularly quoted in the business and fashion media, and often speaks at industry events.

Feeling burnt out and unappreciated? Always dreamed of a job your friends would envy? Stop dreaming and do something about it this year. We suggest you contact MO Luxury and take charge of your future. Click here to view MO Luxury’s active job descriptions and take the time to visit the blog ‘The MO Down’ which explores current business issues in the luxury industry.