On June 4, we hosted the fifth edition of GPJ Talks at our Marienplatz office — and once again, the event drew a full house.
The evening offered compelling insights into the world of luxury, addressed sector-specific challenges, and raised timely questions about responsibility.
Thanks to brilliant speakers Emilia Bräutigam, Boris Bihl, Joachim Aisenbrey and Bastian Lühmann; the empathetic and forward-thinking keynote by Meike Finkelnburg; and the confident moderation by Totinia Hörner, it was a memorable night.
What stays with us?
Luxury is relevant when it connects. When it shows attitude instead of just status. It doesn’t require grand words — it requires credibility, creativity, and authenticity. Luxury might be elastic: stretchable, permeable, and fluid. While it may touch the material, it points to the ideal: emotion, belonging, appreciation, and responsibility.
Brands that create a genuine connection with their customers are the ones that achieve lasting relevance, whether they are established high-end icons, boutique newcomers, or something in between.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Not every brand needs to fulfil a societal ideal — sometimes, relevance comes through clarity, honesty, and self-awareness.
But one thing is certain:
Brands that fail to embody their identity and engage their communities authentically won’t remain relevant for long.