Istituto Secoli had the pleasure of welcoming Professor Mae McDonnell and a delegation of students from the Wharton School Executive MBA program to its Milan headquarters, marking the conclusion of their Italian study tour dedicated to sustainability in the luxury sector.

After visiting some of the country’s most representative companies and brands, the group chose Istituto Secoli to explore a fundamental dimension of Made in Italy: the way in which skills, product culture, and the talents guiding its future are nurtured and developed.

The meeting, led by Gian Mario Borney (Research Coordinator and Lecturer at Istituto Secoli) and Lucio Marcucci (Senior Executive in the Fashion & Luxury sector), centered around a pivotal question:

What does the Made in Italy ecosystem actually produce today?

While the product remains the beating heart of the system—with an ever-increasing demand for sustainability, authenticity, and transparency—value is now also generated through experience, where manufacturing, locations, hospitality, and human relationships integrate in increasingly rich ways. The true distinctive strength of Made in Italy lies precisely in the synthesis of these dimensions, which are capable of transforming into elements of personal identity and a unique source of value for international consumers in the high-end segment.

The day concluded with a welcoming address from Matteo Secoli, President of Istituto Secoli.

A heartfelt thank you to Professor Mae McDonnell and all the Wharton School students for the energy, curiosity, and lively contribution they brought to our Academy.