Synopses & Reviews
For the first time in twenty years the luxury market is shrinking. Now more than ever we need to understand the role of luxury.
So, what is real luxury? Once used to describe genuinely sumptuous surroundings or outstanding products, the concept of luxury has been hijacked by a multitude of aspiring or expensive commodities, so that today it is applied to everything from foot spas to instant hot chocolate. Who are the genuine luxury brands, and how have they reacted to the democratization of glamour? What strategies do they use to lift themselves beyond the mere prestige into the realm of the truly elite? Who are their customers, and what kind of lives do these remarkable people lead? How do luxury brands seduce and retain them?
With wit, accuracy, and insatiable curiosity, Mark Tungate takes readers on a voyage around the luxury universe, slipping behind the facade of the world's most sophisticated businesses to show the reader how they really function. Among other destinations, the author visits Italian shoemakers, Swiss watch designers, the Champagne houses of France, and the top jewelry designers.
Review
" An accurate and eloquent peek into the glamorous world of luxury brands." --Reggie Ansah, Editor-in-Chief, Luxure magazine
Review
"[A]n excellent look into the working of specific luxury brands." -- Book News
Review
"The luxury world is a truly global community. Mark Tungate's new book offers valuable insight into its workings and the psychology of its citizens." --Ye Ying, Editor, The Economic Obsever (China)
Review
"A tour de force on the evolution of luxury, from logo-driven excess to the rediscovered treasures of discretion and taste. In his scrutiny of many different brands, Mark Tungate shows that savoir faire, not flash, is what counts. A beautiful and compelling book for readers who have moved beyond bling to a luxury that lasts." --Stuart McCullough, Head of Sales and Marketing, Bentley
Synopsis
The word luxury has almost lost its meaning. Once used to describe genuinely prestigious products or places, the concept of luxury has been hijacked by a multitude of aspiring or overpriced commodities, from foot spas to chocolates. So what is real luxury? Which are the genuine luxury brands, and how have they reacted to the rise of the mass luxury sector? What strategies do they use to lift themselves into the realm of the truly elite? Who are their customers - and what kind of lives do these remarkable people lead? How do luxury brands attract and retain them? And above all, where can the industry turn now excess is out of fashion?
With wit, accuracy and insatiable curiosity, Luxury World takes us on a voyage around the luxury universe, slipping behind the facades of the world's most sophisticated businesses to demonstrate how they function. Among other destinations, Luxury World visits Swiss watchmakers, the Champagne houses of France, the diamond district of Antwerp, the luxury enclave of Monte Carlo, the discreet ateliers of the last craftsmen and a host of brands in Paris - the self-proclaimed capital of elegance. Along the way, he uncovers the true face of today's luxury industry.
Synopsis
With wit, accuracy, and insatiable curiosity, Mark Tungate takes readers on a voyage around the luxury universe, slipping behind the facade of the world's most sophisticated businesses to show the reader how they really function. Among other destinations, the author visits Italian shoemakers, Swiss watch designers, the Champagne houses of France, and the top jewelry designers.
Synopsis
The word "luxury" has almost lost its meaning after being hijacked by a multitude of aspiring commoditites. So what is real luxury? Which are the genuine luxury brands? Who are their customers - and how do luxury brands attract and retain them? Above all, where can the industry turn now that excess is out of fashion?
Fast-moving, entertaining and full of exclusive interviews, Luxury World takes you on a voyage around the luxury universe during a period of change, slipping behind the facades of the world's most sophisticated businesses to show how they function.
Among other destinations, best-selling author Mark Tungate visits: Swiss watchmakers; the Champagne houses of France; the diamond district of Antwerp; the luxury enclave of Monte Carlos; the discreet ateliers of the last craftsmen; a host of brands in Paris - the self-proclaimed capital of elegance.
About the Author
Mark Tungate is a journalist specializing in marketing, media, and communication. He is the author of best-selling Fashion Brands, as well as Adland: A Global History of Advertising, Branded Male and Media Monoliths (all published by Kogan Page). Based in Paris, he has a weekly column in the French media magazine Strategies, and writes regularly about advertising, style and popular culture for the trends intelligence service WGSN. His work has appeared in The Times, The Independent and the Daily Telegraph newspapers. He is also the co-author of The Epica Book, an annual review of the best European advertising. In addition, Mark teaches courses about marketing, media and communication at Parsons Paris School of Design. He has addressed conferences around the world and has been on the juries of several advertising competitions. For more information, see www.tungateinparis.com.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements xi
Introduction: The evolution of luxury 1
1 The dream weavers 11
The road to ready-to-wear
The YSL legacy
The future of couture
2 The last artisans 25
The other side of Florence
The shoemakers apprentice
3 Romancing the stones 33
Branding Antwerp
Clarity and conflict
Diamonds by design
A tale of two cities
4 Watching the watchmakers 51
Selling time
5 Auto attraction 61
The Bentley Boys
Marketing to the ‘autocracy
6 Fractional high-flyers 69
A slice of the good life
Jets for less
7 Super yachts 77
A passion for the sea
How to show boats
8 Haute property 85
The business of villas
9 Deluxe nomads 91
Monte Carlo: the brand
Hotel world
Luxury travel services
10 Art brands 105
Branded collectors
Branded artists
Galleries, auctions and fairs
The sale of the century
11 Upscale retail 123
Serving VIP customers
Springtime for Printemps
12 Digital luxury 135
Luxe meets web: a hesitant romance
The Vuitton case
13 By royal appointment 145
Royal warrants worldwide
Faberge: jeweller to the tsars
14 In champagne country 153
A name to reckon with
Gold beneath the street
Kings, tsars and rap stars
Champagne bubbles over
15 The wines of Paradise 169
Vintage branding
The reign of terroir
16 The chef 181
A brand named Alain Ducasse
17 Well-being 189
Spas: the final frontier
Rehab
18 The knowledge economy 199
Education brands
19 The gift of time 207
Your wish is their command
20 Sustainable luxury 213
Slow fashion
Slow living
Conclusion: the rehabilitation of luxury 221
Treasuring
Social luxury
Analogue snobbery
Disruption from Asia
Guilt-free luxury
References 229Index 231