Internationally known and respected for her achievements in business, Sung-Joo Kim has

Internationally known and respected for her achievements in business, Sung-Joo Kim has been involved in the fashion industry for more than 20 years, beginning her career at Bloomingdale’s in 1985 under the direct supervision of Mr Marvin Traub, the legendary retailer and ex-Chairman of Bloomingdale’s. Since 1990, she has successfully launched and acquired exclusive franchise rights for several globally renowned brands such as Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Sonia Rykiel, Marks & Spencer and MCM for the Korean market. Sungjoo Group currently operates more than 90 retail stores for MCM, Marks & Spencer, Lulu Guinness and Billy Bag. In 2005, the company acquired MCM’s global business based in Munich, Germany.

Ms. Kim holds degrees from Amherst College (BA in Sociology), London School of Economics (MSc in Internat- ional Relations) and Harvard University (MTS in Business Ethics & Economics). She was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree by Amherst College.

After pioneering the sale of luxury brands in China, Sung-Joo Kim now runs MCM Group, which is set on becoming one of the world’s largest luxury brands. She talks to the FT’s Caroline Daniel about her career and the business of luxury in Asia.