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frostap's review
3.0
Interesting. The writing was pretty good. Only three stars instead of four because it was published in 2007 and I feel like the business of luxury probably experienced some interesting post-recession changes. Fascinating information about the manufacture and marketing of luxury goods, though. I find it appalling that anyone would pay $30,000 for an Hermes handbag.
noticiasdelimperio's review
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
a very interesting exploration of the processes underlying the business of fashion in the modern day, which have much more to do with money than with art, and the popular understanding of what luxury is and what is desirable about it. a bit outdated in the age of social media, but i think knowing about the historical context of the formation of luxury conglomerates, for example, does help to better understand why we want the things we want and why we buy them the way we do even now.
there's an interesting aspect of elitism to it because the premise is essentially arguing against the "democratization" of fashion and its restriction to a very reduced sector of the population, to which it's implied that dana thomas belongs if her rosy memories of the dior flagship way back when are anything to go by. it also ends with an extended ode to daslu, a bizarre luxury mall right next to a favela in sao paulo with minimal reflection as to what might be going on, like, socially, to allow that environment to even exist. but on the other hand, thomas is clear in recognizing that despite the progressive ring to the term "democratization of fashion", the expansion of luxury to the middle market is driven entirely by capitalist greed and has exacerbated its excesses in just about every step of the way from manufacturing to consumption.
i personally am not a luxury consumer nor do i think i will ever get to be one, which i assume is the case for a majority of this book's readership, but the process of reading it has made me realize that i also don't want to be one; that modern luxury is a construction, and that the goods one can access by aspiring to it aren't really worth it. it did make me reflect on what traits i value in the goods i have, or aspire to have: according to thomas, part of the basis of luxury is the quality of manufacture, the aesthetic beauty, the relative sustainability and fairness of its production and the uniqueness of the product, and considering the value of things in terms of these parameters has helped me decouple them from the artificial desires created by capitalism.
there's an interesting aspect of elitism to it because the premise is essentially arguing against the "democratization" of fashion and its restriction to a very reduced sector of the population, to which it's implied that dana thomas belongs if her rosy memories of the dior flagship way back when are anything to go by. it also ends with an extended ode to daslu, a bizarre luxury mall right next to a favela in sao paulo with minimal reflection as to what might be going on, like, socially, to allow that environment to even exist. but on the other hand, thomas is clear in recognizing that despite the progressive ring to the term "democratization of fashion", the expansion of luxury to the middle market is driven entirely by capitalist greed and has exacerbated its excesses in just about every step of the way from manufacturing to consumption.
i personally am not a luxury consumer nor do i think i will ever get to be one, which i assume is the case for a majority of this book's readership, but the process of reading it has made me realize that i also don't want to be one; that modern luxury is a construction, and that the goods one can access by aspiring to it aren't really worth it. it did make me reflect on what traits i value in the goods i have, or aspire to have: according to thomas, part of the basis of luxury is the quality of manufacture, the aesthetic beauty, the relative sustainability and fairness of its production and the uniqueness of the product, and considering the value of things in terms of these parameters has helped me decouple them from the artificial desires created by capitalism.
curlypip's review
4.0
Incredibly well researched by someone who knows the industry inside out, I found it well written and an interesting and easy read.
I’d love an updated version reflecting the huge changes in China over the last 15 years ...
I’d love an updated version reflecting the huge changes in China over the last 15 years ...
fkshg8465's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
4.0
The book is a little outdated, but it was really interesting to read nonetheless. It also totally turned me off to any luxury shopping in the future. The few items I have in my closet bought between decades can attest to what's written in here about the decline in quality over the years.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Trafficking, War, and Classism
2pock's review
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Informative read on the history of fashion houses and the rise of globalism in luxury and fashion but there is a tinge of racism throughout the book.
marabuckeye's review
4.0
The detailed reporting in this book was excellent. It made me aware of the huge control LVMH has on the world of luxury and it's head, Bernard Arnault's utmost concern for profits over all else. The margins of 10x on bags and 13x at Louis Vuitton made me realize what a sucker's game it is to buy a luxury item for the perceived status. After learning how Hermes is the only true custom purveyor of leather it made me want to save up for one of their bags, as the attention to detail and quality is unparalleled. The only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars was because it's beginning to be dated, as it was published in 2007 and the market has continued to evolve since that time.
emmalahti's review
2.0
The story felt scattered and the thesis was blurry, and that was only exacerbated by the poor-quality writing (a good editor would have been useful). Though I learned a lot about the luxury industry, the book drags on in many places and gets into details that are unnecessary. I came away overloaded with information but unclear on why it mattered or what the point was. Overall, I’m coming away with a disgust for commercialism and the luxury industry as a whole. I’m giving it two stars since the author snags some high profile interviews so kudos to her for that.
Ps was this supposed to be some sort of expose on the luxury industry? If so, it was only partially successful since the author is enamored with luxury brands.
Ps was this supposed to be some sort of expose on the luxury industry? If so, it was only partially successful since the author is enamored with luxury brands.