This paper investigates the (presently unexplored) relationship between a peculiar kind of performing art, i.e. opera (as in the Western musical tradition), and the fashion and luxury business within the context of fashion cities. In particular it investigates, on the one hand, how the relationship with opera production may benefit the marketing strategy of luxury companies and, on the other hand, how opera houses may profit from the relationship with the luxury industry. As a preliminary work, introducing a new research project, its aim is to provide a tentative systematization and clarification of the research questions and to stimulate an early discussion of their consistency and relevance. Three sets of research questions are proposed for discussion and further exploration, concerning: a) the audience segmentation of opera as experiential luxury (based on self-congruency theory) and its implications; b) the luxury industry as opera sponsor; c) integrating opera in luxury marketing strategy (brand heritage vs. opera heritage).

This study analyzed consumers’ awareness, preference levels, and effect expectations in relation to fashion art marketing according to the types of such marketing (collaboration between fashion and art in fashion products, called product collaboration; sponsorship for art foundation; artist sponsorship; collaboration for the design of a space/store/display; ad/promotional film collaboration). The study also investigated the influence of consumers’ attitudes toward fashion art marketing with respect to purchase intention. The study was implemented through a descriptive survey method. The sample consisted of 342 men and women between the ages of 20 and 45. The data were analyzed by factor analysis, one-way ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis. The results revealed that there are significant differences in consumers’ awareness and effect expectations in relation to fashion art marketing according to the types of fashion art marketing activities. While no differences were found in preference levels according to the type of fashion art marketing, all the types of art marketing showed overall high levels of preference. The collaboration between fashion and art in fashion products, which had the highest awareness, also showed the highest expected effect. In all the types of fashion art marketing, consumers’ attitudes had a significant influence on purchase intention. In cases of sponsorship for an art foundation, artist sponsorship, collaboration for the design of a space/store/display, and ad/promotional films, consumers’ effect expectations had the most significant influence on purchase intention, followed by preference and awareness level. These results could be used to provide appropriate proposals to fashion brands when they plan to set up an art marketing strategy.