scholarly journals The Object and Art of Luxury Consumption

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike Featherstone
Keyword(s):  
Luxury Brands ◽  
Luxury Consumption ◽  
Luxury Goods ◽  
Artistic Production ◽  
Art Objects ◽  
Luxury Market ◽  
The Prestige

This chapter looks at two dynamics of luxury — the ‘democratisation’ of luxury, which occurs when such goods are made more widely available; and the rebranding of luxury goods as art objects, which emphasize their value in how unique and exclusive they are. The expansion of the luxury market and the more general ‘democratisation of luxury’ not only means that luxuries are everywhere, it also creates pressures to develop even more exclusive goods, stimulating ultra-luxury brands and the bespoke luxury market. Moreover, if it is possible for the luxury house to appropriate the aura of the artist and artistic production, then the prestige of their goods will necessarily rise. In exploring these tensions, the chapter looks at the broader issues of access to luxuries, the sustainability of their production, their just distribution, and the possibility of a space beyond.

How Consumers’ Political Ideology and Status-Maintenance Goals Interact to Shape Their Desire for Luxury Goods

2018 ◽  
Vol 82 (6) ◽  
pp. 132-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeehye Christine Kim ◽  
Brian Park ◽  
David Dubois
Keyword(s):  
Semantic Priming ◽  
Political Ideology ◽  
Social Stability ◽  
Sociodemographic Characteristics ◽  
Luxury Brands ◽  
Luxury Consumption ◽  
Luxury Goods ◽  
Conservative Ideology ◽  
The Status ◽  
Maintenance Goals

This research distinguishes between the goal of maintaining status and advancing status and investigates how consumers’ political ideology triggers sensitivity to a status-maintenance (vs. status-advancement) goal, subsequently altering luxury consumption. Because conservative political ideology increases the preference for social stability, the authors propose that conservatives (vs. liberals) are more sensitive to status maintenance (but not status advancement) and thus exhibit a greater desire for luxury goods when the status-maintenance goal is activated. Six studies assessing status maintenance using sociodemographic characteristics (Studies 1, 2, and 3a) and controlled manipulations, including ad framing (Study 3b) and semantic priming (Studies 4 and 5), provide support for this proposition. The studies show that the effect is specific to status maintenance and does not occur (1) in the absence of a status goal or (2) when the status-advancement goal (a focus on increasing status) is activated. Overall, the findings reveal that conservatives’ desire for luxury goods stems from the goal of maintaining status and offer insights into how luxury brands can effectively tailor their communications to audiences with a conservative ideology.

Inconspicuous Luxury Consumption

2021 ◽  
pp. 65-85
Author(s):  
Aslı Tolunay Kuşçu
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Value Proposition ◽  
Luxury Brands ◽  
Luxury Consumption ◽  
Luxury Goods ◽  
Economic Changes ◽  
Luxury Brand ◽  
Complex Development ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Luxury Products

With luxury consumption still growing fast despite various challenges such as increasing competition, rise in rental luxuries, and in counterfeits, luxury brands are challenged with an additional and complex development: consumers' interest towards inconspicuous luxury products. Being one of the major characteristics of luxury goods, conspicuousness is losing its value among some luxury shoppers necessitating a new definition for luxury and a new value proposition for luxury brands. This chapter initially provides a review on luxury and on the different motivations that determine luxury consumption. Next, socio-economic changes that trigger the shift from conspicuous to inconspicuous luxury consumption is examined briefly. And finally, a discussion on why inconspicuous consumption is valued by consumers is followed by a theoretical framework on the motivations for inconspicuous luxury brand usage. The chapter then concludes with theoretical and managerial implications.

Perceptions And Attitudes Towards Luxury Brand Products

GIS Business ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 45-53
Author(s):  
R. SATHYADEVI ◽  
R. ASWINI
Keyword(s):  
Luxury Brands ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Luxury Goods ◽  
Luxury Brand ◽  
Perceptions And Attitudes ◽  
Actual Growth ◽  
Luxury Products ◽  
The Rich ◽  
Luxury Market ◽  
And Behavior

As consumers satisfy their feelings of pleasure and gratification through the luxury goods, the available luxury products will also continue to enhance its charm for consumers. The rich have no more a monopoly on the luxury goods. One of the most important factors leading to the actual growth of the luxury market is the introduction of luxury goods to the middle and upper-middle class. The present study attempted to analysis the knowledge, affection and behavior related discernment of the consumers on the luxury products.  For obtaining the objectives, the study adopted questionnaire to collect the data from the customers. The study collected data from the customer, who visiting the shopping malls for buying the luxury brand products. T  Test used to present the collected opinion of the consumers.  The study highlighted that most of consumers are depend with affect related factors to luxury brands compared with knowledge and behavior based factors.

Pre-loved luxury: identifying the meanings of second-hand luxury possessions

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Lisa Maria Turunen ◽  
Hanna Leipämaa-Leskinen
Keyword(s):  
Luxury Brands ◽  
Luxury Consumption ◽  
Luxury Goods ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Luxury Brand ◽  
Reputational Risk ◽  
Brand Marketing ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Symbolic Value ◽  
Risk Investment

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to shed light on the consumption of second-hand luxury brands, identifying the meanings attached to second-hand luxury possessions in the context of fashion and, specifically, in the case of luxury accessories. Prior discussions of luxury consumption and marketing have focused on brand-new luxury goods, thus largely neglecting the emergence of markets for used luxury products. Design/methodology/approach – The empirical data for this study were generated through interviews with ten Finnish women and through fashion blogs concerning luxury goods that are bought second-hand. Findings – The findings show that second-hand luxury possessions are characterized by five different meaning themes: Sustainable Choice, Real Deal, Pre-loved Treasure, Risk Investment and Unique Find. The study highlights how consumers are able to achieve luxury experiences even without exclusive service, as the informants attached meanings of luxury to second-hand luxury possessions, especially with regard to the symbolic value and authenticity of the product. However, the meaning of authenticity appears to be a double-edged sword in this context, as consumers may also consider that they are taking a financial as well as reputational risk when acquiring a previously owned luxury item. Originality/value – This study brings forward novel viewpoints to discussions on luxury brand marketing by connecting the issue with the topical phenomenon of second-hand and luxury consumption. The study suggests important managerial implications for luxury brand marketers.

The Evolution of Distribution in the Luxury Sector

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Fabrizio Mosca ◽  
Elisa Giacosa ◽  
Luca Matteo Zagni
Keyword(s):  
Distribution Channel ◽  
Active Management ◽  
Luxury Brands ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Luxury Goods ◽  
Physical Channel ◽  
Symbolic Value ◽  
Market Coverage ◽  
Luxury Market ◽  
Direct Distribution

In today's competitive environment, it is highlighted how the digital channel has over the years become an important distribution channel for goods with a high symbolic value. During its development, it has taken on characteristics very similar to the physical channel with direct distribution models, created through active management of e-commerce sites by luxury brands, and indirectly with the presence of specialized intermediaries by product or multi-brand, often very innovative. Goods that belong to a segment of the luxury market defined as “not affordable” tend to make use of the digital channel more aimed at strengthening the heritage and elite characteristics of the brand. On the other hand, the brands of the “affordable” luxury goods approach the digital channel with a more economically return-oriented perspective, also using intermediaries that allow a higher percentage of market coverage.

scholarly journals Regional Approach to Luxury Market Segmentation: The Case Of Western Balkans

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (5) ◽  
pp. 7-20
Author(s):  
Melika Husic-Mehmedovic ◽  
Emir Agic
Keyword(s):  
Main Idea ◽  
Consumption Patterns ◽  
Market Segment ◽  
Luxury Brands ◽  
Western Balkans ◽  
Luxury Consumption ◽  
Luxury Brand ◽  
Major Transitions ◽  
Post War ◽  
Luxury Market

Nature of the luxury brand requires limited market in order to maintain exclusivity. Individual countries in the Western Balkans are not lucrative per se, therefore, regional segmentation is needed in the case of luxury brands. Countries of Western Balkan, i.e. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia are all post-socialist, post-war countries currently going through major transitions. Rather small markets are yet to be established in its final form politically, economically, socially and culturally and individually. Foreign investors and world’s leading companies are concerned mainly about the size of the potential individual market. The main idea of this paper is to analyze luxury consumption in the Western Balkans region in order to identify some consumption patterns and to describe the regional luxury consumer. Broad study among 800 respondents in four countries defines demographics and buying intent of the luxury consumers. Moreover, this study identified luxury consumer region-wide and helps luxury brand managers to target those small countries together as a rather significant market segment of approximately 20.000 consumers. The region that has shared similar historical and cultural facts proved to have similar or the same luxury consumption patterns. This paper has significant practical value for the luxury brand managers and their segmentation of the Western Balkan countries. They will decide much easier to target this region knowing that consumers are sharing the same lifestyle and preferences regarding the luxury consumption. Main limitation of the research is the average income of the sample. However, the top market segment is always difficult to reach with surveys, therefore, qualitative approach might be used in the further studies in this regard.

Do affluent customers care when luxury brands go mass?

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 526-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wan Yang ◽  
Anna S. Mattila
Keyword(s):  
Attitude Change ◽  
Negative Attitude ◽  
Product Type ◽  
Luxury Brands ◽  
Annual Household Income ◽  
Luxury Consumption ◽  
Luxury Goods ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Joint Effects ◽  
Number Of Customers

Purpose – This paper aims to examine the joint effects of product type (hospitality services vs goods) and consumers’ need for status (low/Patricians vs high/Parvenus) on consumers’ attitude change toward their favorite luxury brands. As an ever increasing number of customers can now afford luxury products, it is important to understand how affluent consumers react to the less affluent mimicking behaviors. Design/methodology/approach – In all, 265 luxury consumers with annual household income of more than $100,000 and experiences of luxury consumption in the past three months were recruited. A 2 (product type) × 2 (need for status) factorial design was used to test the hypotheses. Findings – This study demonstrates that when faced with mimicking behaviors by less affluent consumers, Parvenus exhibit more negative attitude toward their favorite luxury goods brands than luxury hospitality brands. Conversely, Patricians exhibit similar levels of attitude change across the two types of luxury brands. Practical implications – The findings suggest that luxury hospitality companies may find it easier to expand to less affluent markets than their luxury goods counterparts, in particular when the majority of target consumers are Parvenus. Originality/value – To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to examine consumers’ reactions to mimicking behaviors by the less affluent in the context of luxury hospitality services, and it adds to the knowledge on the joint effects of product type and status seeking on luxury consumption.

Luxury in China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qing Wang
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Economies ◽  
Chinese Culture ◽  
Luxury Brands ◽  
Cultural Narratives ◽  
Luxury Consumption ◽  
Major Market ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Different Cultures ◽  
The Impact

Luxury brands embody strong cultural narratives to express their authentic value and to make them more desirable. With globalisation and the democratisation of luxury, the nature of luxury consumption is changing. Emerging economies such as China have become not only the major market but a source of design inspiration for luxury brands. This chapter provides a systematic review of luxury brands in China in three distinct stages, followed by an in-depth analysis of the nature of luxury consumption in China and the transportation mechanism of brand narratives to different cultures. It concludes with several important findings and indicates that good storytelling provides an anchor for a brand’s esteem both at home and abroad. Instead of merely communicating the cultural narratives of their Western origin, luxury brands need to identify with Chinese culture in all elements of their business, from product design to brand communication. Finally, this chapter explores the impact of the global pandemic on luxury brands in China.

Affordable luxury consumption: an emerging market's perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shadma Shahid ◽  
Jamid Ul Islam ◽  
Rahela Farooqi ◽  
George Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Factors ◽  
Purchase Intention ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Consumer Attitude ◽  
Luxury Brands ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Luxury Consumption ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Need For Uniqueness

PurposeThis study aims to focus on proposing and empirically validating a model that captures certain critical socio-psychological factors that nurture consumers' attitude towards affordable luxury brands in an emerging market context of India.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected via a cross-sectional questionnaire survey from 491 customers of different fashion accessory luxury products in India. The data were analyzed through structural equation modelling (SEM) using AMOS 23.0 SEM software.FindingsThe findings of this study reveal that conspicuousness, status consumption, brand name consciousness, need for uniqueness and hedonism positively affect consumer attitude towards affordable luxury, which consequently affects consumers' purchase intention. The findings further reveal that age acts as a moderator in driving consumers' neo-luxury consumption.Originality/valueBy uniting various socio-psychological factors with consumer attitude and purchase intention in a conceptual model, along with studying the moderating role of age, this study responds to the calls for further research regarding affordable luxury and offers a more granular understanding of specific consumer motivations that guide Indian consumers' affordable luxury consumption.

Love and the Art Object

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne Winning
Keyword(s):  
Object Relations ◽  
Virginia Woolf ◽  
Literary Texts ◽  
Emotional Intimacy ◽  
Artistic Production ◽  
Art Object ◽  
Art Objects ◽  
Sexual Desires

Chapter 6 examines how lesbian modernists oppose ideas of artistic impersonality through imbricating intimate affects in the production of their art objects. Objects considered here include literary texts, paintings, houses and interiors. The chapter engages both Michael Hardt’s notion of “corporeal reason” and the object relations psychoanalysis of D.W. Winnicott and Marion Milner to argue that Virginia Woolf, Gluck, and Eileen Gray demonstrate an intense concern with the materiality of artistic production. This preoccupation with “stuff” conveys a visceral, affective appreciation of their art, which serves as a realm in which transgressive sexual desires and identities may be safely articulated. From Gray’s lacquered surfaces to Gluck’s plasticine frames, these modernist art objects are saturated with affect, serving as tangible, material expressions of bodily and emotional intimacy.

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