Chanel’s Former Global Innovation Officer on Future of Luxury

Why The Next Luxury Brand Will Be In Wellness

I vividly remember the first time I met Christine Dagousset. We were having coffee at the Equinox Hotel on a day when I'd woken up with a strong urge to leave Equinox and take the entrepreneurship leap. Across from me sat the woman who had driven innovative vision for Beauty at Chanel for 25 years, building iconic initiatives and an incredible team. She'd chosen to leave and focus on working with entrepreneurs like me - and that morning, I couldn't have been more grateful for her wisdom.

Now, over a year later, she's both advisor and mentor to me. I get to sit with her not just as an inspiration, but as a partner, to discuss the future of luxury, the shift toward longevity, and why sleep remains the most underrated health investment.

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Julia: You’ve spent decades in what people think of as the purest form of luxury. How do you define it today? Has the definition changed?

Christine: At its core, luxury has always been the same three elements: exclusivity, quality, and experience. That hasn’t changed in centuries. Whether it’s a hidden destination, a beautifully made object, or a rare service, those qualities make something feel luxurious.

What has evolved is how personal it now feels. I’ve asked hundreds of people to define luxury for themselves, and the answers are as varied as the people. For some, it’s a lazy morning with no obligations. For others, it’s a high-intensity workout at sunrise. It could be a trip to a remote part of the world, exclusive access to a show or to someone ,or simply the ability to own your time.

True luxury is something deeply meaningful to you - and scarce enough that not everyone can have it. That personal meaning, combined with scarcity, is what makes it feel special.

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“When your health data is interpreted by someone exceptional and becomes an action plan that transforms how you feel, it's the wellness equivalent of a private consultation at Chanel.”

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J: Where does health, and longevity, fit into that definition?