Fashion accounts for 4% of annual global emissions. The luxury industry, one of the most resource-intensive sectors on the planet, has long operated under the assumption that exclusivity and efficiency are incompatible. This thesis challenges that assumption head-on.

Lean manufacturing techniques have transformed industries from automotive to healthcare by systematically eliminating waste, reducing lead times and cutting costs. But their application to luxury goods manufacturing, where craftsmanship, heritage and perceived value are everything, remains largely unexplored in the academic literature. This research maps that uncharted territory.

The work combines a rigorous literature review with real-world investigation: case studies and direct surveys with professionals operating inside luxury manufacturing companies. The goal is to identify where Lean and sustainable operations principles have already taken root in the luxury domain, assess their economic and environmental impact, and pinpoint the scientific gaps that future research and future managers will need to fill.

The nine segments of the luxury market are on the table, from personal luxury goods and fine wines to private jets and haute couture, but fashion sits at the heart of the analysis, precisely because its environmental footprint makes the case for change most urgent.

If you believe that sustainability and excellence are not a tradeoff and you want to build the analytical framework that proves it, this is the thesis for you.