Premiering New Luxury
I wouldn't try to predict the long-term future for the word
'luxury' such has been the abuse of the term with the products it
has been used to describe over the last decade. Aldi the German
supermarket chain's ?5 lobster and the UK chain Woolworth's ?5
champagne--though this apparently was quite tasty--can be cited as
pertinent examples. We have spread the term so thinly that as a
descriptor it isn't to be trusted, and neither are the visual codes
previously used to identify it. In our desperation to trade up we
have caused a definite marking down of standards. Plundered
heritage in the form of millions of counterfeit bags continue to
plague the most desirable fashion houses. I know several fashion
designers that themselves wait for Hong Kong business trips to pick
up knock-off versions of signature monograms--ironically the very
thing those logos were created to guard against--rather than
splurge on the real McCoy.
From knock-off to knock down, the ways to trade down continues with
the founders of Net-A-Porter, the online designer fashion
phenomenon of the noughties, embracing the trend for thrift with
the launch of theoutnet.com. With the affirmation that "Good
fashion doesn't date," it is a selection of discounted items
well-collated and snappily displayed, with enough of a clean, fresh
web layout to make you forget the trash/treasure implication of out
of season. Net-A-Porter, the original concept, perfectly understood
that the key to translating the allure of high fashion online was
retaining as much of the 'experience' of luxury retailing as
possible. It was therefore the first to make receipt of online
goods worthy of an indulgent, luxury, branded experience with
boutique style layers of tissue and bows and immaculate customer
service. Last year it defied the beginnings of the recession to
turn over an increased 67 percent year-on-year to ?55.2m. The
launch of OutNet shows founder Natalie Massenet's perfect
understanding of the zeitgeist and will no doubt be rapturously
received, but what does all this mean for a world previously
coveted for its rigid backbone of hard-line designer elitism?
Real luxury, as we knew it, was never about cut price or
compromise. The bar hasn't so much been lowered as splintered and
there are now arguably far more classes within the luxury goods
market. Make no mistake, an uber-elite audience does still exist,
albeit in discreet hiding at present, and the demand remains
stronger than ever to capture their aspirational imaginations.
However, catering to this market demands steely nerves in times
like these. Versace, for instance, never holds sales - it is part
of their brand policy never to devalue their brand. Louis Vuitton
chose to buck the market last year with a price increase, as did
Chanel, raising prices on its classic handbags by 20 percent last
November. Real luxury is, if anything, about displaying the perfect
manners. Now is simply not the time for flaunting and so the
emergent behaviour of premium brands is more low key than ever
(ambitious pop celebrities with their million dollar collection of
Hermes should take note) and brings us to the fundamental question:
"How will real luxury behave and communicate in the future?"


Chanel undoubtedly understands the excellence and eminence required of a timeless, iconic brand better than most, It is principles, such as the impossibly high standards of physical effort and patience required for the production of couture, that drives the difference between real versus borrowed luxury behaviour. And The House of Chanel is currently the subject of two films as well as collaboration with the Ballet Russes.
The first film "Coco Before Chanel" takes Gabrielle Chanel as the subject and centers on her journey from poverty to fame and infamy. Audrey Tatou, a favourite of the house and currently the face of No.5, stars in the short that shows her passion-struck after a meeting on the Orient Express. Tatou spends the film looking forlorn and a bit baffled until united with the object of her affection who traces her to Istanbul by following the scent of her No. 5. Although not exactly casting her as an empowered 21st century heroine, it is however a perfect display of the wistful wanting and desire luxury brands aim to make us feel for them. The second film "Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky" directed by Dutch-born Jan Kounen stars Anna Mouglalis and Mads Mikkelsen. Focusing on her alleged passionate affair with the composer, it closed this year's Cannes Film Festival.


Tom Ford, the force behind the resurrection of Gucci and a master of contemporary luxury, has a reputation for a meticulous approach to detail--the stalwart of the luxury brand--which he has transferred to the big screen in his first feature, "A Single Man." Despite the fact Ford has so far refused to show footage, even to distributors, it is keenly anticipated and will be unveiled at the Venice Film Festival in September.

Luxury brands, more than any others, are about the realisation of dreams and ideals. The pedestals on which we place them give them reason to create new platforms to express their message in emergent and ambitious ways; making film the perfect medium. And the opportunity to bring together muse - more often than not an actress these days - location, music, and product enables them to retain the feeling of untouchability that has always been at the very heart of our enduring desire for luxury.
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Sophie Maxwell's fashion background as a graduate and now guest lecturer at London's Central St Martins is put to daily use in her role as Head of Creative Insight at Pearlfisher.