On March 17th and 18th, LVMH opened the doors of its luxury world to a select group of students from the Atlanta University Center as part of their year-long partnership. Students enrolled in The Luxury Industry and the Art Market course culminated their studies with an immersive experience in Paris—gaining firsthand access to LVMH’s expansive luxury portfolio. They offered not just a trip, but a rare, behind-the-scenes educational, global luxury experience.
“Having the opportunity to take my students to ‘the room where it happens’ transformed classroom learning into an intimate, behind-the-scenes exploration of LVMH. Through thoughtfully curated site visits, the essence of savoir-faire became tangible,” Cheryl Finley—Walton Endowed Professor at Spelman College and Director of the Atlanta University Center Art History + Curatorial Studies Collective—tells ESSENCE.
During their time in Paris, the students were granted access to some of LVMH’s most closely guarded spaces—including the residence of Louis Vuitton himself. Additionally, they visited Le Bon Marche, the Givenchy Atelier, La Galerie Dior, and La Fondation Louis Vuitton. These visits expanded beyond surface-level tours. Instead, students received deeply intentional experiences designed to illustrate how legacy, storytelling, and meticulous artistry intersect to define the luxury industry.
And this is not Spelman’s first trip since partnering with the luxury giant. They also brought the students to New York earlier this year. There, they were able to meet and interact with the diverse teams that make up the LVMH ecosystem.
Nia Hipps, a Senior at Spelman College discusses how transformative the trip to New York was for her. “Meeting the diverse teams across LVMH, I came to understand just how deeply ingrained culture is within the company, not only through the legacy of its individual Maisons, but through the cities they inhabit,” she tells ESSENCE. “That understanding was only deepened during our trip to Paris. From exclusive access to storied Maisons to candid conversations with key leaders within LVMH’s most exciting and fastest-growing houses, every moment felt like a masterclass in creative enterprise.”
Not only this, but they are also offering students hands-on experiences through internship opportunities. Blair Martin, a Senior at Spelman College and program participant, reflects on her time as an LVMH summer intern and a member of the 2027 Women@Dior & UNESCO Mentorship & Education Program. She shares, “being a student in this course connects all these meaningful and enriching experiences.”
Overall, as Finley puts it, when it comes to this Spelman and LVMH partnership, “students walked away with a deeper understanding of the LVMH DNA—and the confidence of knowing they can be part of it—through direct engagement with industry leaders and exposure to future career opportunities.”
