Luxury is undergoing a profound transformation — and the old rules no longer apply.

In this episode of Hospitality Huddles, Scot Turner is joined by Professor Zi Wang, luxury branding academic, consultant, writer and coach, to explore how a new generation of consumers is reshaping the meaning of luxury.
Zi reveals why today’s luxury is defined less by status and more by quietconfidence, emotional value, identity expression and cultural consciousness. They discuss Gen Z’s rejection of traditional luxury cues, the importance of authenticity, and why emotional intelligence is now one of the most essential skills in hospitality and brand-building.
Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction to Professor Zi Wang
01:05 – Zi’s journey: academia, luxury branding and coaching
03:10 – How luxury has evolved beyond status
05:45 – The rise of emotional value in luxury
08:20 – Gen Z and the rejection of traditional luxury codes
11:02 – Symbolism, social media and identity construction
13:40 – Post-pandemic shifts: meaning, intention and consciousness
16:12 – Why “personalisation” is misunderstood in hospitality
18:55 – Emotional intelligence as a luxury differentiator
21:10 – Why luxury brands lose relevance
23:44 – “Quiet confidence” as the new luxury aesthetic
26:11 – Time, space and attention as elite commodities
28:55 – Sustainability and conscious consumption
31:40 – Zi’s work as a consultant, writer and coach
33:20 – Final reflectionsTo learn more about Professor Zi, find her on LinkedIn here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/zi-wang-59a90b248/

This podcast is brought to you by Auden Hospitality, creating hotel F&B that rewrites the rules. Learn more by visiting our website www.audenhospitality.com