An inside look at LVMH’s prestigious talent development programme

While LVMH may be best-known for dedication to excellence in its products, it is equally committed to developing its talent pool. As LVMH’s Southeast Asia and Oceania headquarters, Singapore is the natural centre for many of these programmes. 

In 2024, LVMH launched the SPRING Future Leaders Program in Singapore, its first edition outside of France. It is a fast-track development programme for talented graduates. Successful candidates will be exposed to a diversity of business functions across Maisons, supported by a bespoke 30-month development plan.

We sat down with Avi Chua, 25, to hear about her experience as one of the pioneer candidates of the SPRING programme here. Avi has recently completed her first rotation as a merchandiser at CELINE Southeast Asia and Oceania, and has moved to Tiffany & Co. as an e-commerce project manager. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from the Singapore Management University.
 

Q: Avi, thank you for speaking with us! How did you come across the LVMH SPRING Future Leaders Program and what was your journey to becoming one of the seven selected graduates from over 2,000 applicants?

Avi: I first heard about the programme through my school. The LVMH SPRING Future Leaders Program is aimed at nurturing young talents within the luxury industry. Over the course of 30 months, we go through three different missions across various Maisons.

What drew me to this programme was the opportunity to experience different aspects of the business, while being guided by industry experts. The personalised nature of the programme also stood out – allowing us to explore our interests with the support of senior business leaders, and craft our dream career within LVMH Group.

The application process was rigorous but went very smoothly. There were many applicants and several rounds of assessments. I am immensely grateful to be given this opportunity.
 

Q: As a merchandiser at CELINE overseeing Southeast Asia and Oceania region, what did you do daily and what aspects of this role have you found most exciting?

Avi: From our Singapore office, we oversee 19 stores across Southeast Asia and Oceania, managing multiple product categories from leather goods to accessories.

I help ensure that the right products are in the right place at the right time. This requires a balance of art and science - between business strategy, customer preferences, and brand image.

On a day-to-day basis, this means I track sales performance and stock levels at our stores to identify opportunities and risks that may impact business growth in our region. We work closely with various functions; Supply Chain, Visual Merchandising, Training, Clienteling, and Communications to drive excitement and desirability around the brand.

One of the most exciting aspects of my job is participating in buying sessions with the central merchandising team at the Paris headquarters. We preview the upcoming collection and align on the assortment of products to bring into our region. To make informed buying decisions, we incorporate feedback from store teams on client preferences, analyse sales potential, and leverage historical sales insights.

I’ve had the privilege of contributing to exciting collection launches, major store openings, pop-ups, and in-store activations across the region. It has been an incredible learning journey, seeing the business in action and working alongside passionate and talented colleagues at CELINE.
 

Q: SPRING also emphasises personalised mentorship. Can you tell us about some of the mentors you have had?

Avi: We are paired with senior mentors in the business to expand our perspectives and champion our development journey. The conversations with our mentors offer valuable insights, allowing us to learn from their career journeys, the challenges they’ve faced, and how they successfully lead and motivate teams to achieve business outcomes.

My current mentor is a Senior Merchandising Manager at Louis Vuitton, with extensive merchandising experience in various markets and regions.

One piece of advice that resonated with me was to embrace mistakes as part of my growth. She encouraged me to take risks and be bold in my decision-making, reassuring me that the best time to learn is from trials. This perspective has given me greater confidence and resilience in handling a dynamic workload.

In addition, we are supported by the SPRING ecosystem. A committee of talent managers from different Maisons support our development plans. We are also paired with a buddy from the SPRING Program in Paris. This offers us a platform for peer-to-peer learning and support.

Above all, my team at CELINE has been tremendously supportive and motivating, always encouraging me to stay curious and passionate about what I do.
 

Q: What is one key skill you have developed during your time at LVMH?

Avi: Stakeholder management. My role requires me to collaborate with multiple teams – from merchandising teams in Paris headquarters to our supply chain colleagues and retail staff – ensuring everyone is aligned on product strategy and storytelling. I’ve learned to embrace empathy, understanding their interests and considerations, while effectively communicating my priorities.
 

Q: What do you feel you bring to the team as a fresh graduate?

Avi: One advantage of being a fresh graduate is that I bring a fresh perspective to the systems and ways of working that my colleagues might have grown accustomed to over time. I am thankful that young talents’ perspectives are as equally valued at LVMH.
 

Q: What’s next for you in SPRING?

Avi: After completing my first mission at CELINE, my cohort participated in a week-long development training. It was an opportunity to reflect on our learnings and exchange insights.

We were then posted to our second mission at the next Maison, where I am now learning about eCommerce at Tiffany & Co. This transition was carefully co-curated based on my career aspirations and growth trajectory.

Personally, I enjoy being close to the products and the retail stores, as that’s where the action happens! The fashion industry greatly excites me, especially as luxury fashion houses move beyond clothing and encompass perfumes, cosmetics, jewellery, and more.
 

Q: What advice would you give to graduates aspiring to be part of the luxury products industry?

Avi: It’s a great time to start a career in the industry, especially with opportunities like SPRING available in Singapore. One key advice I would share is: While it’s great to be clear and intentional about career choices, keeping an open mind may open more doors and opportunities – they often lead to valuable experiences and deeper self-discovery.

Embrace the journey, and let passion guide your path!