Fashion is becoming a great luxury?

In many ways, fashion is increasingly becoming a luxury, especially when you look at high-end or designer fashion. A few key reasons for this shift:

1. Brand power and Exclusivity: Luxury brands have cultivated strong identities based on heritage, craftsmanship, and exclusivity. Consumers are often paying for the name as much as the product.
2. Quality and Craftsmanship: True luxury fashion is often handmade or produced in limited quantities with top-tier materials, which naturally drives up costs.
3. Scarcity and Hype Culture: Limited-edition drops and collaborations have created a culture of exclusivity that adds luxury appeal, even to streetwear.
4. Social Status: Fashion is still a strong social signal. Owning luxury fashion can symbolize wealth, success, or refined taste, making it aspirational.
5. Sustainability Trends: As the industry shifts toward ethical production, prices are going up. Sustainable, slow fashion often carries a higher price point than fast fashion.

Not all fashion is luxury, there’s still a wide range of affordable fashion out there. But the idea of fashion as a luxury or investment piece is definitely growing.

Fashion and luxury are often synonymous with high-end designer brands, exclusive boutiques, and opulent lifestyle. From the catwalk to the red carpet, fashion luxury is about showcasing impeccable style, sophistication, and attention to detail. Luxury fashion is about making a statement and owning a piece of history.

The history of fashion luxury dates back to ancient civilizations, where materials such as silk in China, linen in Egypt, and wool in Rome signified status and wealth. During the Renaissance, luxury fashion flourished in Europe with the rise of tailors and the use of rich fabrics like velvet and brocade, while royal courts became centers of fashion influence.

The 18th century saw the emergence of haute couture in Paris, establishing the city as the fashion capital. The industrial revolution introduced mass production, yet luxury fashion remained exclusive through brands like Chanel and Dior in the 20th century, symbolizing sophistication and craftsmanship.

But, how about the fashion today, and how is becoming a great luxury?

Shift from Mass to Meaning

People are moving away from fast fashion and becoming more intentional. They are choosing quality over quantity, investing in timeless, well-made pieces rather than cheap, disposable ones. This shift values:

1. Craftsmanship
2. Unique Design
3. Sustainable practices

All of these come with a higher price tag, and that’s where fashion starts to become luxury.

Today, luxury fashion intertwines with sustainability and inclusivity, reflecting evolving consumer values while retaining its allure and status. Fashion and luxury today are characterized by a blend of sustainability, inclusivity, and digital innovation, as consumers increasingly prioritize ethical practices and individuality in their purchasing decisions.

Brands are adopting eco-friendly materials and transparent supply chains while leveraging technology such as augmented reality and virtual fashion shows to enhance the shopping experience. The rise of social media influencers and direct-to-consumer models also democratizes luxury, making high-end fashion more accessible and interactive. But is that true luxury?

With more accessible fashion, and a variety of ways to access certain pieces, luxury is being lost, and brands are finding a variety of ways to bring back the true meaning of luxury. They focus on limited-edition releases and personalized experiences, creating an emotional connection with consumers, selecting a specific audience, accessibility that not everyone can have.

Luxury brands typically position their products at a higher price point to reflect exclusivity, quality, and craftsmanship, appealing to consumers’ desire for status and prestige. Prices can vary significantly, with entry-level luxury items starting in the hundreds of dollars, while high-end products can reach thousands or even tens of thousands, depending on the brand heritage, materials used, and unique design elements. This pricing strategy reinforces the brand’s image and helps maintain a sense of luxury and desirability. Certain brands, like Chanel, with a strategy of changing prices, find a way to create exclusivity, a moment that makes a brand luxurious, and the whole story around it.

Perspective on Luxury

Luxury is often perceived as the embodiment of opulence, exclusivity, and high-quality craftsmanship, serving as a status symbol in society. However, it can also encompass experiences, well-being, and sustainability, reflecting an evolving mindset where individuals prioritize meaningful interactions and ethical consumption over mere material possession.

Delvaux or Serapian, brands that give exclusivity to certain people, and difficult availability. This is a moment that gives a great luxurious perception. Delvaux and Serapian are both luxury fashion brands known for their craftsmanship and heritage, particularly in leather goods. Delvaux, founded in 1829 in Belgium, is recognized as one of the oldest luxury leather companies and is renowned for its elegant handbags and innovative designs. Serapian, established in Milan in 1923, specializes in handmade leather accessories and is celebrated for its artisanal techniques and unique personalization options. Both brands cater to discerning clientele seeking quality, timeless style, and sophisticated craftsmanship.

Luxury refers to a state of great comfort, elegance, and opulence, often characterized by high-quality goods, exclusive services, and indulgent experiences that go beyond basic needs. It typically involves a sense of exclusivity, sophistication, and superior craftsmanship, appealing to individuals seeking exceptional and unique offerings that signify wealth, status, and personal taste.

Remember, luxury doesn’t start with having an expensive bag, luxury is a way of life, but also a mindset, much more than material goods. For this reason, displaying fake luxury, brands change strategy and over time may become difficult to access. When there is too much of something, i.e. a type of bag is no longer a luxury, a storm must occur, which must put true luxury back on the right track, and whether this will have a negative effect on buyers or fashion fanatics remains to be seen, but change must definitely come.