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Once luxury was available only to the rarefied and aristocratic world of old money and royalty. It offered a history of tradition, superior quality, and a pampered buying experience. Today, however, luxury is simply a product packaged and sold by multibillion-dollar global corporations focused on growth, visibility, brand awareness, advertising, and, above all, profits. Award-winning journalist Dana Thomas digs deep into the dark side of the luxury industry to uncover all the secrets that Prada, Gucci, and Burberry don't want us to know. Deluxe is an uncompromising look behind the glossy façade that will enthrall anyone interested in fashion, finance, or culture.
Newsweekreporter Thomas skillfully narrates European fashion houses' evolution from exclusive ateliers to marketing juggernauts. Telling the story through characters like the French mogul Bernard Arnault, she details how the perfection of old-time manufacturing, still seen in Hermès handbags, has bowed to sweatshops and wild profits on mediocre merchandise. After a brisk history of luxury, Thomas shows why handbags and perfume are as susceptible to globalization and corporate greed as less rarefied industries. She follows the overarching story, parts of which are familiar, from boardrooms to street markets that unload millions in counterfeit goods, dropping irresistible details like a Japanese monk obsessed with Comme des Garçons. But she's no killjoy. If anything, she's fond of the aristocratic past, snarks at "behemoths that churn out perfume like Kraft makes cheese" and is too credulous of fashionistas' towering egos. Despite her grasp of business machinations, her argument that conglomerates have stolen luxury's soul doesn't entirely wash. As her tales of quotidian vs. ultra luxury make clear, the rich and chic can still distinguish themselves, even when Las Vegas hosts the world's ritziest brands. Thomas might have delved deeper into why fashion labels inspire such mania, beyond "selling dreams," but her curiosity is contagious. (Aug.)
Copyright 2007 Reed Business InformationAs cultural and fashion editor for Newsweekin Paris, Thomas is well positioned to provide an in-depth business history of the luxury goods industry, including its modern evolution. Owing to corporate greed, globalization, and excessive brand licensing across diverse product lines, small family-run ateliers that furnished exclusive products to elite customers have all but disappeared along with the artistry, quality, and personalized service associated with these items. The only distinction between luxury and mass-marketed goods now may be the label, which itself drives the price. Despite the current profit-driven environment, Thomas recognizes that small new companies offering impeccable craftsmanship continually sprout up to serve select niches, yet how long these enterprises last before succumbing to the lure of great profits associated with mass production and consumerism is debatable. Besides being a fascinating read suitable for public libraries, this book is a valuable resource for special libraries collecting in the luxury goods and related industries for better understanding previous business and marketing strategies and their outcomes.
—Caroline Geck
Anonymous
Posted November 11, 2009
This book was so informative, eye-opening and well-researched. It was an overall great book. Not only did it expose many of today's so called luxury brands for the mass-marketed, mass-produced items that they are, but it also was fascinating to learn how the brands that still produce high quality merchndise take it that "extra step" to make sure they only produce a truly high quality items. I especially loved the chapter on fragrance. It was a very interesting lesson on how fragrances are produced and what is involved. The chapter on the link between celebrities and the promotion on brands was also enlighting. The exposure of the "knock-off" industry and their ties to child labor and and abuses will stop me from ever, ever thinking of buying a fake again! For anyone who loves fashion this is a must read!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Sarjevane
Posted January 23, 2011
Thomas uses each brand to outlines what luxury is about today. The book is full of why and how luxury does not mean unique. Definition of luxury is still up in the air, but definitely you finish the book realizing that what luxury was is not what it is now. Does it mean it lost its luster? May be not. But it lost its "one of a kind" aspect.
You finish the book in a hate love relationship with those brands; you realize what they could be, and what they truly are about.
At the same time, the book is inspirational. There is a big opportunity where the luxury brand were; a place where price is not the only motivation, but the individual service is. The final chapter is refreshing and optimistic about the luxury industry.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 3, 2012
Mwaa ha ha ha ha.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 6, 2011
A very informative look into a very flashy world, unfortunate that the world of luxury is like the Wizard of Oz. A look behind the curtain will dispel all illusions you have about our many "luxury" brands.
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Posted November 21, 2009
This book was very insightful into the world of luxury items such as designer clothing and handbags. Even the chapter on the world of perfume was interesting. I loved this book so much, I bought a copy for my sister. I didn't want to part with my copy.
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Posted November 28, 2007
I really enjoyed this book. I am appreciative of the writer's honesty and further investigation into a field that she knows well. It makes clear the distinctions between quality, mass consumerism and profit. Deluxe is a detailed account of the downfall of a loved one.
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Posted December 1, 2007
Living near one of the world's most expensive malls, I was really interested in learning more about the extremely expensive items that stock the elite shops located in the mall in my area, which purportedly charges the highest retail rent in the nation. I always wondered how those shops thrived because I'd never witnessed anything approaching what could be considered a crowd of shoppers in any of these luxury goods stores, and it puzzled me that they could pay enormous rents, employee salaries, marketing expenses, etc., etc., and still make astronomical profits. My curiosity was satisfied by reading Dana Thomas' book 'Deluxe.' It's now very simple to understand how these 'luxury' brands are so profitable. The information contained in this book will annoy many who were under the impression that their Louis Vuitton bag or their 'designer' clothing is anything quite special.
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Posted November 18, 2007
This book is well written, chic, and also keeps the reader wanting to 'know' more of what she has to say. Overall a great book.
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Posted October 7, 2007
Dana Thomas¿s Deluxe is a perfect fit for anyone who loves the world of fashion. I found the book really interesting because you would think that when a large amount of money is spent you would receive a very quality one of a kind piece, like a Louis Vuitton handbag. That is not true though. The big names like Chanel, Dior and Louis Vuitton all started as mom and popshops. Over the years the original designers died and family did not want to take over, so big tycoons come in, buy the names, design and produce products that are made of lesser quality materials, especially leather and sell for outrageous prices. Through the years luxury really has lost its luster because now people do not care of the quality but of the status they are displaying. Nowadays quantity over rules quality. I really enjoyed learning that a name is not everything. Just because someone owns a Chanel bag does not mean it is any better quality than a bag from Target. I found it very interesting that some of the big name brands produce their products in the same place as lesser-known brands for a lot more money. There was nothing I did not like about this book. From the details of how all the shops look inside with their exquisite architecture and crazy patterns to the gifts employees receive, I never lost interest in this book. Deluxe let me do some research on the next handbag I want to buy and I now know what brands are real quality and which ones are just a fabulous name. If you¿re someone looking for and inside scoop on the real fashion world, this book is perfect. It is a behind the scenes look at how a big name brand really makes their money. One thing I keep in mind after reading this book is that quality is much better than quantity. The brands do not see things the same way the consumer does so to them quantity is much better than quality.
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Posted September 24, 2007
This book was great. If you love fashion and luxury, it's time to get the dirt on these luxury items. The book is an eye-opener and I wish I had read it before I started buying luxury items.
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Posted October 16, 2007
This is a fabulous, well written, easy-to-read book. The information the author provides is very interesting and written in a story-telling way. Anyone who loves fashion and luxury products will enjoy the insights this book has to offer!
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Posted January 24, 2009
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Posted March 14, 2011
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Overview
Once luxury was available only to the rarefied and aristocratic world of old money and royalty. It offered a history of tradition, superior quality, and a pampered buying experience. Today, however, luxury is simply a product packaged and sold by multibillion-dollar global corporations focused on growth, visibility, brand awareness, advertising, and, above all, profits. Award-winning journalist Dana Thomas digs deep into the dark side of the luxury industry to uncover all the secrets that Prada, Gucci, and ...