Luxury marques trade partly on the tangible benefits of craftsmanship, provenance and history, and partly on exclusivity (i.e. some can only aspire to them not afford them) and the brand name's signalling value. While discussing the face-off between the democratic web and the exclusive nature of luxury, in an earlier post, I wrote that the … Continue reading Unflattered by imitation
Tag: brands
Is care in design exclusionary and elitist?
The monograph last week generated much conversation. And some observations that caring in design and craftsmanship was all about expensive pieces made for the few, not for the masses. Seeing the examples that I cited, it is not entirely inconceivable to think of caring and craftsmanship as the preserve of the few. But that couldn't … Continue reading Is care in design exclusionary and elitist?
Digital (and the) luxury consumers
The web, as I see it, is Ginger Rogers to the world's Fred Astaire. Just as she did everything he did, but backwards and in high heels, the web does/ has everything the world does/ has but visibly, frictionlessly, faster. But then those two too were role-playing. In the make-believe world of celluloid. With its … Continue reading Digital (and the) luxury consumers
The French Luxury Consumer: Notes from a day in Paris
[View the story "The French Luxury Consumer (Luxury Society Keynote Series)" on Storify]
Brands and the coattails of success
"TAG Heuer congratulates its beautiful rebel - MC Mary Kom into the Semi Finals of the 2012 London Olympics. The glamorous TAG Heuer Woman shares Mary’s restless and rebellious nature. Like her, she excels at her game, knows how to win, and how to celebrate. Creative, confident, always plugged in, she never stops building on … Continue reading Brands and the coattails of success
Lost opportunities: Mahatma Gandhi and Gwen Thompson
To most people, Mahatma Gandhi stands for truth and non-violence. There is also a subtext of renunciation, austerity, simplicity and community. There was a predictable outcry when Montblanc announced a limited edition, 18 carat gold pen with Gandhi's image and a saffron garnet on the clip. Only 241 gold pens would be made available for … Continue reading Lost opportunities: Mahatma Gandhi and Gwen Thompson
Creativity in the time of recession
Or, why the brand should never take a back-seat (pun unintended, but why miss the glorious chance anyway?). In June 2009, Mercedes Benz launched a related diversification. The Mercedes Benz Driving Academy was inaugurated by the F1 driver, Lewis Hamilton. On offer is an early start to safe driving. Young persons over 12 (minimum height … Continue reading Creativity in the time of recession
