I can't help but think the whole luxury industry has become tacky and tasteless. I don't know how and if they can rebrand themselves, but it feels like creativity and craftsmanship are gone and all there's left is an ostentatious, 'just give me your money' vibe.
It's good to be king...until you're not. At some point, luxury brands will make themselves irrelevant by failing to cultivate aspirational customers. People want brands they've heard of and seen. When people stop buying altogether, brands will be scrambling to generate interest and revenue. I can't wait.
All that fur on the Fendi runway was upsetting to see, and a lot of fake fur in others shows too, what is fake fur even really made of anyways? Non biodegradable synthetics? Ewe. Would have been more interesting to see someone to rework vintage furs.
Often I think it's similar to plastic, but in the research I've done such a small amount of fake fur is in circulation that it's not thought to have much of an impact.
I think without Kim Jones we're going to see a LOT more fur from Fendi.
Fur is cyclical. Every 5-6 years there’s a shift in public opinions. I’ve always loved fur. Shame on me, fur is murder, yada yada yada whatever. The brands who removed fur from their collections did such a small amount of business in the fur category that it was purely done as PR. I don’t think Burberry has ever sent a mink coat down the runway, so them patting themselves on the back for banning the use of fur is nonsensical. Also, a lot of the fur people wear now is vintage because it’s much cheaper and easy to find. Similarly to what Amy said about the environmental impact of fake fur, the emissions and the amount of animals killed from fur farming each year is practically nonexistent when you compare the numbers to the meat industry.
Fact of the matter is also that “dupe culture” (aka acceptance of knockoffs) has made it more acceptable for incredibly wealthy people to buy from fast fashion brands like Zara and H&M instead of quality RTW pieces that have gotten incredibly expensive, especially now that the old-school fast fashions brands are able to position themselves as being a higher market thanks to the proliferation of SHEIN and Temu.
I definitely had my eff-this-I’m-out moment when a The Row handbag I’d been eyeing off as a birthday present increased from $1,750 to around $3,000 in the space of six months. Since then whenever I’ve been interested in a luxury brand handbag the prices have seemed like a stupid waste of money. I’m much more interested in brands like Wandler, Maeden and Aesther Ekme, which have interesting designs and prices aren’t crazy.
Ok, if shtf everyone who is rich, showing off on ticktock, Substack, vogue, real housewives are a big targets. Hell they are a targets right this minute. There is an in your face wealth that is just vulgar and for each one of us it is different. If I were very moneyed, wealthy, 1% I would shut my mouth, scale back and down, be VERY careful about comes out of my mouth of my mouth and how I am perceived. If things get truly dystopian It will come out of nowhere, like a tidal wave and be as deadly as a tsunami.
There are no philanthropic endeavors that are being done for the everyday person. The working parents, elderly, disabled etc. so the reliance on friends, family and church are now part of your everyday survival kit. We are all scared, uneasy, and on shaky ground. We can’t prepare because too much is hitting us. In this current environment while it is fun to look at the beautiful fashions, nice leather goods, houses at the end of the day, I am throwing a frozen pizza in the oven, watching a dvd or Amazon prime video, and calling it a day. Other are seething, angry, and about to lose it.
Sorry this seems so bleak, things are really rough out there.
I think the retro styles in young Hollywood are actually a direct result of the luxury backlash.
I think the dragging Haley Khalil got at the Met last year was the turning point where stars no longer wanted the most avant garde attention grabbing look because that might get you labeled a Marie Antoinette. Old Hollywood will get you on the best dressed list and offend no one.
So what is Bethenny like when there’s no camera pointed at her face? What bag was she carrying when you interviewed her? Also I would love a Real Housewives that starred handbags! Real Handbags….
There already is a real housewives that stars handbags. It’s Beverly Hills. 90-% of the show when they’re not fighting is them talking about their bags. They’re actually changing the name of the show to The Real Handbags (and Kyle Richards) of Beverly Hills.
This resonates hard with me but as a fashion lover, some of the items have a choke hold on me. I’m torn between spending on actual quality - choosing smaller brands vs simply buying luxury manufactured by sweat shops and let’s face it - far removed from actual designers themselves. The concept of a fashion house has lost its luster, now recycling a handful of talent around. We need a revolution!
I can't help but think the whole luxury industry has become tacky and tasteless. I don't know how and if they can rebrand themselves, but it feels like creativity and craftsmanship are gone and all there's left is an ostentatious, 'just give me your money' vibe.
It's good to be king...until you're not. At some point, luxury brands will make themselves irrelevant by failing to cultivate aspirational customers. People want brands they've heard of and seen. When people stop buying altogether, brands will be scrambling to generate interest and revenue. I can't wait.
This is so good & so true. We are in peak let them eat 🍰 times ….
All that fur on the Fendi runway was upsetting to see, and a lot of fake fur in others shows too, what is fake fur even really made of anyways? Non biodegradable synthetics? Ewe. Would have been more interesting to see someone to rework vintage furs.
Often I think it's similar to plastic, but in the research I've done such a small amount of fake fur is in circulation that it's not thought to have much of an impact.
I think without Kim Jones we're going to see a LOT more fur from Fendi.
Fur is cyclical. Every 5-6 years there’s a shift in public opinions. I’ve always loved fur. Shame on me, fur is murder, yada yada yada whatever. The brands who removed fur from their collections did such a small amount of business in the fur category that it was purely done as PR. I don’t think Burberry has ever sent a mink coat down the runway, so them patting themselves on the back for banning the use of fur is nonsensical. Also, a lot of the fur people wear now is vintage because it’s much cheaper and easy to find. Similarly to what Amy said about the environmental impact of fake fur, the emissions and the amount of animals killed from fur farming each year is practically nonexistent when you compare the numbers to the meat industry.
Turns out I’m allergic to fur, just as I am to cats, dogs, and rabbits. I found out by wearing it!
Fact of the matter is also that “dupe culture” (aka acceptance of knockoffs) has made it more acceptable for incredibly wealthy people to buy from fast fashion brands like Zara and H&M instead of quality RTW pieces that have gotten incredibly expensive, especially now that the old-school fast fashions brands are able to position themselves as being a higher market thanks to the proliferation of SHEIN and Temu.
This.
I definitely had my eff-this-I’m-out moment when a The Row handbag I’d been eyeing off as a birthday present increased from $1,750 to around $3,000 in the space of six months. Since then whenever I’ve been interested in a luxury brand handbag the prices have seemed like a stupid waste of money. I’m much more interested in brands like Wandler, Maeden and Aesther Ekme, which have interesting designs and prices aren’t crazy.
Ok, if shtf everyone who is rich, showing off on ticktock, Substack, vogue, real housewives are a big targets. Hell they are a targets right this minute. There is an in your face wealth that is just vulgar and for each one of us it is different. If I were very moneyed, wealthy, 1% I would shut my mouth, scale back and down, be VERY careful about comes out of my mouth of my mouth and how I am perceived. If things get truly dystopian It will come out of nowhere, like a tidal wave and be as deadly as a tsunami.
There are no philanthropic endeavors that are being done for the everyday person. The working parents, elderly, disabled etc. so the reliance on friends, family and church are now part of your everyday survival kit. We are all scared, uneasy, and on shaky ground. We can’t prepare because too much is hitting us. In this current environment while it is fun to look at the beautiful fashions, nice leather goods, houses at the end of the day, I am throwing a frozen pizza in the oven, watching a dvd or Amazon prime video, and calling it a day. Other are seething, angry, and about to lose it.
Sorry this seems so bleak, things are really rough out there.
I think the retro styles in young Hollywood are actually a direct result of the luxury backlash.
I think the dragging Haley Khalil got at the Met last year was the turning point where stars no longer wanted the most avant garde attention grabbing look because that might get you labeled a Marie Antoinette. Old Hollywood will get you on the best dressed list and offend no one.
Good observation. It's the jewel-toned mermaid gown of 2025.
So what is Bethenny like when there’s no camera pointed at her face? What bag was she carrying when you interviewed her? Also I would love a Real Housewives that starred handbags! Real Handbags….
We talked on the phone -- she's super-nice and smart!!
There already is a real housewives that stars handbags. It’s Beverly Hills. 90-% of the show when they’re not fighting is them talking about their bags. They’re actually changing the name of the show to The Real Handbags (and Kyle Richards) of Beverly Hills.
You are always ahead of the curve. And you once again nailed it.
Two thoughts:
1. Luckily for the brands, couture/super-luxury fashion has always been a loss-leader. Their business is about selling handbags and perfume.
2. Most people who follow fashion--but who aren't rich--see luxury fashion brands as entertainment, brought to life by influencers. It's a weird time.
This resonates hard with me but as a fashion lover, some of the items have a choke hold on me. I’m torn between spending on actual quality - choosing smaller brands vs simply buying luxury manufactured by sweat shops and let’s face it - far removed from actual designers themselves. The concept of a fashion house has lost its luster, now recycling a handful of talent around. We need a revolution!