A rarefied academic resource brings heritage, craft, and innovation into the classroom
The Savannah College of Art and Design has introduced SCAD LUXE, a new luxury archive and research center launching across its Atlanta and Savannah campuses. Conceived as both a working classroom and a scholarly laboratory, SCAD LUXE is designed to deepen engagement with the global luxury sector through direct access to rare and iconic objects spanning couture, accessories, fragrance, and bespoke design. The initiative reflects SCAD’s continued investment in experiential education, where academic inquiry meets professional practice.
Drawn from the SCAD Permanent Collection, the inaugural exhibition, The Art of Luxury: Iconic Craftsmanship, places the visual language and material intelligence of heritage houses into sharp focus. Works from Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Tiffany & Co., Chanel, Gucci, Christofle, Scalamandré, and others invite close study of enduring house codes and the dialogue between tradition and innovation. Students across fashion, business, design, and branding disciplines are encouraged to analyze luxury not as abstraction, but as a living system shaped by craft, storytelling, and cultural continuity.
“Preparing students for leadership in today’s global industries requires an education that meaningfully connects academic rigor with professional practice,” said Meloney Moore, Dean for the SCAD De Sole School of Business Innovation. “SCAD LUXE is an unparalleled resource in higher education as an archive and research center that provides students with direct access to legendary maisons and the rich history of luxury craftsmanship.” Her remarks underscore the institution’s aim to move learning beyond theory into mastery through firsthand exposure.
A highlight of the launch includes an exclusive presentation of Scalamandré’s archives at SCAD Savannah—the first time the brand’s storied materials have been shown within an educational setting. With rotating exhibitions planned throughout the academic year, SCAD LUXE establishes itself as a dynamic platform for studying luxury as both heritage and future-facing practice, positioning students to engage the industry with fluency, discernment, and authority.
