5
Episode
From Chanel to Nanotechnology: Angelina Nguyen on Reinventing a Career at the Top
Angelina Nguyen took her first executive role at Chanel Asia Pacific at 26, and never stopped moving from there. “You don’t pivot,” she says. “You fly.”
In this episode, Angelina sits down with Belinda to talk about what it actually takes to reinvent yourself at the highest levels of an industry: the courage it took to run Chanel Asia Pacific at 26, the discipline behind building brands across cultures, and the leadership lessons that hold true everywhere she's worked.
In this episode, you'll learn:
How Angelina went from being handed the top marketing role at Chanel Asia Pacific at 26 to running Bulgari's business across Asia and the UK
How she came to be named a Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture, for her work fostering cultural exchange between France and China
Why she believes leaders “fly” instead of “pivot,” and what that distinction actually means in practice
The story behind Issa London's Banana Republic collaboration, and how it catapulted the brand to international recognition
The one leadership quality she says holds true in every culture she's worked in, from Asia to Europe
Why firing someone is the hardest decision she's ever had to make, and how she decides when it's really necessary
Guests Appearing in this Episode
Angelina Nguyen is a globally recognised luxury strategist currently advising on luxury retail, branding, and business strategy across high-end sectors. Notable clients include RFCZ Korea Ltd., a joint venture between Guangzhou R&F Properties and Caesars Palace for a major integrated resort project in Seoul, and Master Dynamic, a Hong Kong-based research and development company focused on nanotechnology and artificial intelligence.
She served as Global President of Nirav Modi Ltd., the celebrated fine jewellery brand launched under multinational diamond and jewellery company Firestar Diamond in 2014, bringing with her a career built at the very top of the global luxury industry.
Angelina began her career at Chanel Asia Pacific as Far East Sales and Marketing Manager, before moving to Cartier as Far East Retail Director. She was then appointed Executive Vice President of Lanvin Far East, where she oversaw the brand's development across ten countries and created five Asian subsidiaries.
As Managing Director of Bulgari Asia and Bulgari U.K., she established the brand as one of the top three watch and jewellery labels in Asia and transformed the business from a franchise into a fully owned operation. As CEO of Issa London, she spearheaded the brand's landmark design collaboration with Banana Republic, catapulting it to international recognition.
In recognition of her work fostering cultural exchanges between France and China, Angelina has been honoured with two of France's most prestigious distinctions, the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres and the Chevalier de l'Ordre National du Mérite, from the French Ministry of Culture.
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