Marie-France Pochna is an award-winning expert on style, fashion, and the luxury market. The author of several landmark biographies, she is also a radio commentator, university professor, and frequent guest speaker in both Europe and America. A luxury industry watcher and authority on the power and influence that drives a... Read more
Marie-France Pochna is an award-winning expert on style, fashion, and the luxury market. The author of several landmark biographies, she is also a radio commentator, university professor, and frequent guest speaker in both Europe and America.
A luxury industry watcher and authority on the power and influence that drives a multi-billion dollar industry, Marie-France Pochna has written definitive accounts of some of its leading exponents. Her first book, Bonjour Mr. Boussac (1980), dealt with the textile magnate Marcel Boussac, founder of the house of Christian Dior. It won Prix Louis Marin from the Académie Française. The vast empire of this reclusive Frenchman formed the basis of what is now Louis Vuitton-Moet Hennessy, the world’s leading luxury conglomerate. This exploration stirred Ms. Pochna’s interest in the power and influence of fashion. Her other books include the biographies of Nina Ricci (1988), Christian Dior (1994), and Paul Ricard (1996), the founder of the liquor and soft beverages Group, Pernod-Ricard.
The 1996 publication of her Dior book in the United States brought Ms. Pochna international success. She has become a popular guest lecturer on luxury and fashion. In addition, she teaches an MBA course on luxury brands at the leading French business school, ESSEC.
Born and educated in France, Marie earned a law degree from Paris University and joined the international law firm, Coudert Brothers, working both in Paris and New York. Eventually, she gave up the law to follow her husband’s career, which led the family to travel extensively throughout Europe and the Middle East. During that period she made enriching contacts that influenced her decision to become an investigative reporter. During two years spent in Italy she had the privilege, previously denied to others, of being granted personal access to Gianni Agnelli, former playboy and the most influential figure in Italian industry. As a result of her interviews, she wrote the biography, Agnelli, the Irresistible, which became a best seller in both Italy and France. “I write books about my times,” she once said to Vogue magazine.
“What interests me is the interaction between a given background, an enterprise, and the man behind it.”
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You can book Marie France Pochna through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Marie France's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
Marie France Pochna's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Marie France tailored to your event.
Marie France Pochna speaks on a range of business, leadership and industry subjects. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Marie France to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book Marie France Pochna for events worldwide, subject to Marie France's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Marie France Pochna is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Marie France can accommodate.
London Speaker Bureau will brief Marie France Pochna on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Marie France can offer.
Marie France Pochna delivers keynotes in French. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.
Marie France Pochna's areas of expertise include a range of business, leadership and industry subjects. To get a clear sense of Marie France's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.
Marie France Pochna can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in a range of business, leadership and industry subjects is relevant. Details of Marie France's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.
Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Marie France Pochna is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Marie France Pochna, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Marie France's current availability for your dates.