(A version of this article appeared in LiveMint on November the 17th, 2016.) British Prime Minister Theresa May’s visit to India and trade talks with her Indian counterpart take me back to the midsummer’s day in 2016. We in Britain woke up to find that the Leave campaign, colloquially called Brexit, had won the referendum. The pound plummeted … Continue reading Brexit and the luxury brands of Britain
Tag: luxury
Luxury’s talent conundrum
A version of this essay appeared on Hudson Walker International's Opinion section published on November the 4th, 2016. The Luxury sector is facing headwinds. Single digit growth seems here to stay. The behaviour and the expectations of the elusive but coveted millennial consumer remain somewhat a mystery with conflicting trends emerging. For instance, millennials seem … Continue reading Luxury’s talent conundrum
Autonomous cars and luxury marques
Aston Martin, James Bond's car of choice (except when he went through a BMW phase), showcased a powerboat at Monaco Yacht Show this year. Writing in the Financial Times, Philip Delves Broughton laments that Bond's legacy is being junked by this luxury marque and outlines the dangers of brands diversifying into unrelated categories, especially those … Continue reading Autonomous cars and luxury marques
Authenticity and Vedic wisdom for luxury brands
Alicia Keys, the talented musician and singer, was in the news recently for having chosen decidedly to eschew makeup. In a monograph in a newsletter, she said she feels no need to cover up any more. She talked about her journey to self discovery and finding her authentic self which did not need to be … Continue reading Authenticity and Vedic wisdom for luxury brands
Influencer marketing and the luxury marque
Eight years ago, I was pondering the meaning of "authority" on the web. Fast forward to 2016 and the language has moved on. It is no longer about authority but about influence. Brands, including some luxury brands, are engaging in "influencer marketing". The web is awash with "advice" for luxury brands on the criteria for … Continue reading Influencer marketing and the luxury marque
Luxury watches and tech: who is driving whom?
Luxury products, it seems, are being trampled over by technology-enabled products enticing luxury customers. Apple created its own version of ceramic enforced gold. The real number of the Apple watches in gold casing shipped remains a mystery although an estimated total of 10M pieces are expected to have shipped by the end of 2015. Apple … Continue reading Luxury watches and tech: who is driving whom?
Four For Friday (29)
The luxury sector is negotiating the tight rope between its traditional exclusivity and the open-all-hours, democratising nature of the web. It is a fascinating space to watch as new ways of enticing and engaging with the customer emerge. This long Luxury Society piece explores the emerging influencers and how brands are finding their feet in … Continue reading Four For Friday (29)
Authenticity, genuineness and the luxury brand
A friend of mine is a genuine, passionate Porsche fan. Awaken him from deep sleep and start asking him about the Porsches he has owned through the years, and you begin to see how deep his fountain of knowledge, and his genuine affection for and attachment to the brand run. (Porsche North America customer welcome … Continue reading Authenticity, genuineness and the luxury brand
Of subtractive creativity
In an earlier monograph, I wrote about transformation and emergence, the kind of inspiring creativity that everyone thinks leads to beautiful products. But emergence isn't intentional. It has a magic that is hard to understand and often replicate. Intentional creativity and beauty however can come from removing things. But in any such intentional design process, … Continue reading Of subtractive creativity
Unflattered by imitation
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
