THE LUXURY BRAND STRATEGY AGENCY
SUM is a London-based partner to founders, brand leaders, and investors building the next generation of luxury and premium brands.
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We work at the intersection of clarity and emotion - defining what a brand stands for, and why it matters. From positioning and narrative to naming, digital branding, and architecture, we create strategic foundations built for long-term value.
Over the past two decades, we have supported globally recognised names including Jimmy Choo, Victoria Beckham, La Perla, Annabel’s - and heritage brands like Banham, where craft and legacy meet modern relevance.
WHAT MAKES A LUXURY BRAND STRATEGY WORK
Luxury strategy is not about shouting louder. It is about knowing exactly what to say - and when to say nothing at all.
In a crowded and competitive market, the strongest brands are defined by a clear sense of purpose, expressed with restraint and intelligence. They offer meaning, not just messaging -and build deep emotional connection through clarity, consistency, and craft.
STRATEGY-LED, CLARITY-DRIVEN
Our strategy work typically includes:
Brand positioning – defining purpose, values, audience, and competitive difference
Narrative development – building the brand story that connects everything
Naming systems – for brands, products, or collections
Architecture – structuring brands, product tiers, and sub-identities
Tone and voice principles – ensuring consistency across teams and channels
Strategic frameworks – bespoke tools to guide growth and expression
This work often underpins brand identity, packaging, campaigns, and digital experience.
WORK THAT SPEAKS FOR ITSELF
PARTNERS IN BRAND STRATEGY
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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A brand strategy agency defines how a brand behaves, speaks, and positions itself. That includes audience targeting, brand architecture, tone of voice, value proposition, and narrative—all before any design begins. Explore our approach to brand strategy for high-growth and luxury clients.
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Luxury strategy is about restraint, nuance, and long-term positioning. It avoids trend-chasing and focuses instead on meaning, perception, and cultural relevance. We help brands build credibility and clarity before any campaign or identity phase. Many of our branding projects begin with this foundation.
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It depends on the scope, but usually includes competitor and audience analysis, brand positioning, mission and values, tone of voice, and messaging frameworks. Some clients also include naming, architecture, and internal brand alignment. We always scope this tightly and deliver a strategy book to guide every touchpoint.
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Ideally before a launch or rebrand—but we also work with teams during funding rounds, internal restructuring, or post-acquisition. A strong brand strategy brings alignment and cuts through creative noise. It’s particularly critical for founder-led or early-stage luxury ventures aiming to scale well.
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Yes. We handle brand and collection naming, sub-brand structures, and brand architecture planning. For global-facing brands or multi-product businesses, these decisions are central. See how we approach naming within brand strategy and connect it to rollout.
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Most strategy phases take 3–6 weeks. More complex organisations or brands undergoing transition (e.g. mergers, repositioning) may take longer. Our strategy-first branding approach is always structured around your goals and timeline.
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We often move into brand identity, digital rollout, or content systems based on the strategic foundation. Whether you stay with SUM or use in-house teams, the strategy book becomes your north star. See how we apply strategy into luxury branding and marketing systems.
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Our strategy work supports heritage brands, luxury consumer goods, boutique hotels, cultural institutions, and creative founders. Clients include Claudia Schiffer, Victoria Beckham, AllSaints, and La Perla—each with different positioning needs but a shared focus on design and clarity. Explore more brand strategy projects here.
INSIGHTS
Explore our specialist services for luxury brands:
Luxury Branding, Luxury Digital Branding, Content and Campaigns, Fashion Branding, and Boutique Branding.
