
Luxury has to change.
Because the context has.
Craftsmanship, heritage, and service still matter.
But today’s consumer expects something deeper: connection, personalization, and digital immersion.
Sandra Helou, CEO & Co-Founder of MetaMinds Group, believes this shift defines the future of luxury.
Through VersAI, she’s proving that emotion and technology now shape what “exclusive” really means.
In this episode, we unpack:
• How emotional connection became the new status symbol
• Why “a great product” is no longer enough - even for luxury brands
• Why community is now a brand’s strongest asset
• How mid-tier brands like Coach and Alo Yoga are redefining luxury through experimentation
• The rise of immersive commerce - from static grids to digital worlds
• The difference between slow heritage brands and agile, aspirational ones
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⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro
01:45 – The New Meaning of Luxury: From Owning to Feeling
03:15 – Why a Product Alone Is No Longer Enough
05:13 – Who Owns the Audience Nowadays: From Brands to Influencers
07:00 – How Community Became the New Luxury
08:20 – Alo Yoga and the $3,000 Gym Bag Debate
11:55 – Emotional Luxury: Feelings as the New Status Symbol
13:20 – The Home as the New Luxury Experience
15:08 – Cafés, Cars (Ferrari, Porsche, and Mercedes), and Lifestyle Expansion in Luxury
19:45 – From E-Commerce to Immersive Commerce for Luxury Brands
20:59 – What Is Immersive Commerce?
22:30 – What “Stepping Inside a Brand” Really Means
24:30 – How Digital Experiences Differentiate Real Luxury
25:48 – The Role of AI in Personalization and Storytelling
30:15 – Why Mid-Tier Brands Lead in Innovation and Agility
31:55 – Experimentation and the Rise of Aspirational Brands
32:55 – MENA’s Growing Role in Luxury and Tech Innovation
36:45 – Heritage and Luxury Brands in Europe vs. the MENA Region
38:59 – MENA Region - Final Thoughts
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Follow us:
→ Learn more about Sandra Helou:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandrah26/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandratlibe/
X: https://x.com/sandra_tlibe?lang=en
→ Sandra's projects:
MetaMinds Group: https://www.metaminds.group/
VersAI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/versai-the-immersive-commerce-platform/about/
→ Follow us on your favorite platform:
Rewire Fashion (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/5RhuTThh8RMCJ1jpGEc5LY
Rewire Fashion (Apple Podcasts): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rewire-fashion/id1829664523
Dr. Karin (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/@itsdrkarin
Dr. Karin (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-lorez/
Dr. Karin (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/itsdrkarin/
Dr. Karin (TikTok): https://www.tiktok.com/@itsdrkarin
Check Dr. Karin's companies:
Law (Web3 and traditional legal services): https://www.lorezlegal.com/
Crypto compliance: https://www.scalecompliance.com/
Fashion, luxury, and tech-connected workshops (UAE): https://www.fashiontechme.com/
#RewireFashion #LuxuryInnovation #ImmersiveCommerce #FutureOfLuxury #BrandStrategy #EmotionalLuxury #LuxuryExperience #DigitalTransformation #FashionTech #LuxuryBrands #CommunityBuilding