Cocktails & Conversations at Berlin’s Fotografiska
What better way to start 2025 than with our first live podcast at Fotografiska! As part of our brand-new collaboration, we’ll be co-hosting live podcasts on the last Wednesday of every month at Bar Clara. Make sure to subscribe and join us each month for conversations with inspirational women.
Speaking of inspirational women – coming all the way from Munich, we welcomed Maria von Scheel-Plessen to the luxurious and creative backdrop for an honest, unfiltered discussion, with the conversation highlighting the importance of upholding strong values in leadership roles and how marketers can stay one step ahead in today’s fast-changing world.
Maria von Scheel-Plessen, Director of EMEA at Gucci, is a luxury marketing leader specializing in strategy, e-commerce, and digital transformation. A passionate mentor and advocate for female leadership, she’s a sought-after keynote speaker at events like Web Summit, OMR and Women at Amazon.
Being born into a family with a 300-year entrepreneurial legacy, she chose to step away from the family business that awaited her and took the leap to forge her own career path with her focus firmly set on her passion for traveling abroad and connecting with people on an international level.
“I always wanted to be somewhere where I can innovate, to be super hands-on and where I can change things in my own way.”
After working at Rocket and then moving to Singapore, she found herself at a pivotal moment when the luxury industry was seeking professionals who not only understood marketing but also had a strong grasp of technology. Maria went on to speak about how it was at this moment that she realised how much marketing could drive revenue for offline sales and how much of an impact this new knowledge would have on her career. It was the fusion of her expertise in tech, economics, and marketing that paved the way for her journey into the world of luxury.
“The luxury industry is a very political game. You need to know how to manage and how to survive.”
Speaking about this transition to luxury, Maria shared how it was this bold decision to move to Singapore and lead a team of over 40 people at just 24 years old – while juggling a long-distance relationship between Hamburg and Singapore – was not the easiest path. However, she always knew it was the right one for her.
“I knew that this was right for my career and I knew I wanted to be financially independent.”
However, no matter how successful or senior her roles became, Maria never forgot the challenges of being a young leader and the doubts that follow you throughout your career – wondering if you’re making the right decisions.
“A good leader is willing to make a decision and take the risk, without knowing the outcome.”
As the conversation went on, Maria spoke about her experience of being a leader, attending management meetings and overseeing teams , and how that can often bring the realisation that you need to set boundaries or that certain tasks may push you to your personal limits. She recalled a moment when a last-minute assignment from her manager made her realise the importance of setting stronger boundaries for herself and maintaining a healthy work ethic.
“My coach and mentors helped me define not only my value set, but also how I could use weaknesses to my strengths.”
Shifting the conversation from personal experiences to the evolving definition of luxury, Maria discussed how trends like Black Friday have impacted the industry. She highlighted how traditional luxury brands have had to rethink and restructure their marketing strategies and campaigns based on customer data insights.
With over 80% of luxury revenue still coming from in-store purchases, Maria revealed her expertise on emerging trends and shifting consumer behaviour. She emphasised the growing demand for personalised experiences, such as one-on-one client-manager interactions and exclusive events. Additionally, she spoke about how the younger generation is already making its mark on the luxury market, shaping its future in significant ways.
“In general, what we see is the trend is strongly shifting to offline. We are seeing how the younger consumer is wanting to go to the stores, to have that in-store experience and have the one-on-one approach.”
Bringing the evening to a close, Maria revealed how she continues to learn and grow by studying for certifications, participating in keynotes, and seeking advice and mentorship from peers who are experts in their fields.
Emphasising the importance of staying close to friends and family for honest and direct feedback, she also highlighted the value of taking time to disconnect, be present with oneself, and reflect – allowing space to let go of the day and reset.
“The more responsibly you have, the longer in the evening your responsibility will haunt you!”
We’d like to take a moment to express our heartfelt thanks to the entire team at Fotografiska Berlin for hosting our first live event in their stunning space, to Sawade Berlin for their scrumptious pralines (seriously, we couldn’t get enough!), and to Bar Clara for their deliciously crafted Martini cocktail for the evening.