The premiere of 90210 last night got CC thinking about luxury. Fashion is always about luxury, but there are 
certain items that connote a life of privilege in an almost visceral way. Whether we covet them from afar or actually get to enjoy them, they are select and magnificent.
Above: another teenager sporting Chanel . . . AnnaLynne McCord as Naomi Clark, courtesy cwtv.com.
The Accoutrements:
Above: Aina Gassé fur robe,
via Vogue Italia
Right: Jimmy Choo Ramona crocodile bags, $14,000.00
Absurdly expensive jewels, like the Tony Duquette aquamarine, amethyst, peridot and 18K gold bracelet pictured at right, are a matter of course.
The Accoutrements:Above: Aina Gassé fur robe,
via Vogue Italia
Right: Jimmy Choo Ramona crocodile bags, $14,000.00
Absurdly expensive jewels, like the Tony Duquette aquamarine, amethyst, peridot and 18K gold bracelet pictured at right, are a matter of course. $36,500.00
This and previoues at Bergdorf Goodman.
Bespoke moisturizers . . .
This and previoues at Bergdorf Goodman.
Bespoke moisturizers . . . La Mer
16.5 ounces for $1390.00
Lavish Homes
At left, Michael Schiable's Lake Chapala Retreat in Mexico, via architecturaldigest.com
Lavish HomesAt left, Michael Schiable's Lake Chapala Retreat in Mexico, via architecturaldigest.com
In addition to Frette linens, you'll need an Adrienne Landau fox fur throw, at bergdorfgoodman.com, to toss on your Chair Couture chaise.
Hermés saddle (for your horse, natch) Photo of saddle masters by Todd Eberle for Vanity Fair
Haute Cuisine There is a certain class of comestibles (and the manner in which they are served) that connotes luxury:
Petrossian Caviar (beluga, not sevruga!)
served on bone china like this Papillon dinnerware, available at Neiman Marcus
Serendipity’s $25,000.00 Frozen Haute Chocolate.
Petrossian Caviar (beluga, not sevruga!)
served on bone china like this Papillon dinnerware, available at Neiman Marcus
Serendipity’s $25,000.00 Frozen Haute Chocolate. Photo via nytimes.com.
Jet Set Luxury:
Above: A jealousy-inducing jetway editorial image from cosmopolitan.com.
Right: Cameron Diaz's airport chic, via instyle.com
Below: Leslie Mann atop Louis Vuitton luggage, courtesy Vanity Fair
The Michael Kors Fall runway, courtesy style.com
Spa Weekends at Canyon Ranch or a week at Hotel de la Paix Siem Reap, Cambodia
Luxe to CC? A front row seat at the couture! Photo via style.com.
CC will not dwell here on the dwindling economy, but rather draw your attention to the assertion by Dana Thomas in Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Lustre that craftsmanship has faltered as consumer demand for luxury items has skyrocket. A couple of queries: Has the quality of luxe goods suffered now that production has shifted from small-scale,
handcrafting to corporate megaproduction? What evidence have you seen of the decline of true luxury? Why is it that the most luxurious items seem to be the most controversial? How can CC dress in ermine and pearls when it’s so animal-unfriendly? With the rising cost of jet fuel [even Diddy says he can’t afford to fill up his G5!] and the harm that gas-guzzlers are doing to the 
environment, should every rich bitch trade in her SST and her SUV for a SmartCar?
What does luxury mean to you?
The Michael Kors Fall runway, courtesy style.com
Spa Weekends at Canyon Ranch or a week at Hotel de la Paix Siem Reap, Cambodia
Luxe to CC? A front row seat at the couture! Photo via style.com.CC will not dwell here on the dwindling economy, but rather draw your attention to the assertion by Dana Thomas in Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Lustre that craftsmanship has faltered as consumer demand for luxury items has skyrocket. A couple of queries: Has the quality of luxe goods suffered now that production has shifted from small-scale,
handcrafting to corporate megaproduction? What evidence have you seen of the decline of true luxury? Why is it that the most luxurious items seem to be the most controversial? How can CC dress in ermine and pearls when it’s so animal-unfriendly? With the rising cost of jet fuel [even Diddy says he can’t afford to fill up his G5!] and the harm that gas-guzzlers are doing to the 
environment, should every rich bitch trade in her SST and her SUV for a SmartCar?What does luxury mean to you?
Is now the time to back away from lavish items like this gorgeous Chloé purse? Photo via vogue.fr.
52 comments:
Such a good question, CC. I think luxury is about having the most appealing things (for me that's about texture and colour and scent etc.) in the highest quality category you can reasonably imagine. It's not about volume but elegance. And luxury is often about understated beauty - fine cashmere, delicious food, well-constructed garments that will stand the test of time in all ways...
I've come to an interesting conclusion this summer, I hate Jimmy Choo. Everything they make is the same thing each season, totally 90's, and not needed. They just keep putting a higher price tag on it, using more luxurious fabrics, and disregard how the market is changing. That bag cements it. It's just not needed.
I think luxury is about wanting and needing something that can't be fulfilled by other objects, so true luxury is a rare and beautiful thing. While most things are faux luxury.
Great post. I think Dana Thomas's original arguments rested on her assertion that luxury is too accessible to the masses, and this paradoxically kills the whole notion of luxury. I found that point refreshing yet irritating. For me, luxury is about quality and timeless style.
I'm reeling at the idea of Diddy not fueling up his jet. Dang! To me the most luxurious things are the ones that are beautiful beyond compare. If you would just be happy staring at it and thinking "That's gorgeous!" -- that's luxury.
CC! CC! I'm melting! Please help me! I need fur coats (i'm sorry dear animals) and expensive moisturizers! Luxery to me is having people turn their neck so hard they break it, because it's so damn PRETTY. Not experimentive, not ecofriendly, not cheap, just PRETTY. Classic beauties like a Louis Vuitton suitcase. Luxury is getting pretty things WHATEVER IT TAKES. It may not be ecofriendly, but then you can say: Thank god not everyone is rich, what would happen to the world if everybody was wearing fur and driving a Lamborgini? Well.. I would love to be rich anyway I guess...
What an unbelievably decadent post. It will have to sustain me until I can actually afford any of those items. :-)
Love that chaise btw - too cool!
lovely darling
La creme de la merde!! pense que era una leyenda urbana!!!! y me encanto el look de lujo de Cameron
beso!!
love your blog<3 and thanks for the comment!!
xoxo
I'm just not certain the most expensive item is really the best or necessary perhaps...
luxurious travel.
OH my if only i could travel like that on my travels across the world *** i travel SO much living so far (!!!). something to dream about though...
kors elegance is definitely really nice even tough i think it's too much hollywood for me
ps : thank u carrie for bringin more guys to your analysis !
that is a very thought-provoking question.... I don't know, but to me luxury is not necessarily material or expensive...I would love the luxury to travel the world with comfort... to me that would be luxury... the luxury of experience, comfort as well as the ability to have all the time to enjoy something that money can't buy.Expensive things don't really impress me, because if money can buy it then it's nothing special since it can be bought... Luxury is to have things that money simply cannot buy...
the picture of the chaise longue reminds me that i've always wanted a chaise longue!
Provocative! I like it.
Luxury can be something you don't need but you have because you can afford it.
Luxury can be the best quality things.
Luxury can be those priceless things...
xoxo
ah the wistful wishing for all things luxury... though definitely not always needed or always appealing.. i definitely fall for fine dining... money on good food is money well spent... as well as great traveling. it's like more of the experience that i love. not that i wouldn't love to own magnificent labels.. if i had the money sure.. but where i stand.. i did finally buy a pair of louboutins.. but am almost too scared to wear them! i've only worn them once...
I absolutly love your first photo, the beging of you blog.
Paris, that dress :)
There were more nice dresses from Alex Vidal, i will show its.
one kiss!
Luxury is the ability to have something you do not need, whether you want it or not.
I consider your blog a luxury. I get to be glutton in things I enjoy reading and viewing. Plus, you even find the time to visit my blog which allows me the luxury to have some perks!
;)
oh to live this life for just one day....sigh....
luxury is where the heart is. to some people a spa day at burke william is luxury and for some, a spa day at canyon ranch is a matter of fact. lots of luxury is made in china now....
Dana Thomas' book was a grand read. The definition of luxury has changed. They have a saying that even some of the LV bags in the official LV boutiques could be fake too... Quality control is bad nowadays.
I agree that most things are faux luxury!
I really enjoyed this question because lately I find myself thinking of it more and more.
Currently, I think luxury is when touch and sight are both pleased at the same time.
There are some things I'm picky about but not others. I think it's personal. For example, I will carry leather bags, but if they were made in sweatshops? NO WAY.
Oooh I loved the Marie Antoinette images! I think luxury to me is a feeling rather then a certain aesthetic or price tag so anything that makes me feel like I'm in a world of decadence is luxurious to me.
I love that last purse. The hardware is so unique.
oh, so elegant! Some of these I could DIE for!
I think luxury is anything that you would consider a privilege; therefore it varies by each person.
And I have to say, I want the Chanel necklace!!
I feel destitute after seeing all this!
LV trunk luggage, all luxury!! One day hopefully I'll be able to afford it!
Gosh, what a gorgeous post! So many things to drool over.
As for whats luxury to me...happiness, love and good health. And under happiness I file a sated lust for a few luxury goods haha :)
And true luxury means using those luxury goods everyday, not saving them for "best".
I loved 90210, I never watched the original but I can see myself getting totally sucked into the new one... And it will be like Gossip Girl part two- making me want what I can't afford.
money and environmental effects aside craftsmanship is something I hold very dear. Not just in fashion but buildings and all kinds of creations worldwide need keep certain degree of quality. I do hope rich people spend their money buying quality products by doing so.. the technique, art and legacy live on. In the mean time normal folks like me can 'drool' yet get inspired.
Great post! Now I have something to daydream about today!
Hi there-I could get used to having a jet plane at my disposal-this would be true luxury for me!!
where are the diamonds?
I love the bracelet with the purple stones...The stones look like eyes too me...For some odd reason :P
xo
aaahhh gotta love chanel i think its one of the most stylish brands on earth!
What luxury is ? Your article is a source of good inspiration ! Loves
The bracelet looks wonderful and that last bag is divine! Luxury for me is anything that I love above the bare basics and makes me happy :)
Me gusto un poco todo lo que hay en tu blog pero sin duda el look de Cameron Díaz me encanta por que es sensilla, en prendas y complementos, pero lo combina de tal forma que queda muy bien.
Un besote
Great finds! I'm loving that chase...I want one!!
I hate to say it but it's totally luxurious furs for me. That fur robe is intensely amazing!
Great compilation of images that connote luxury, I think you did a fabulous job at this :)
I love the Jimmy Choo Ramona bag... And some Louis Vuitton luggage would be nice;) I almost can't wait till 90210 comes to Norway, I loved the serie when I was younger. Luxury for me is sitting on a beach with my fiancee, wathing the sun go down. Maybe share a bottle of wine...:)
the last bag is to die for !
horses are traditional - so there is always that concept of them being classy.
luxury is about beauty and art and craftsmanship disguised as "it" fashion. i think luxury brands appeal to a very human desire in all of us to be more, to want more. To dream and aspire. Heady stuff all these handbags and shoes ;)
I believe that you can find luxury anywhere-and it does not always
have a price tag.
That said, people have an "image" of what is luxury and what isn't.
People want to appear rich and
they believe that if they have
luxury items and makes them
look that way.
Why do you think low-end stores like Target are such a success?
Because they sell items with
that high-end appeal at a
lower price.
Looking at some of those pictures I wish my last name was McLuxury.
Of course it would be great if I could afford all the gorgeous things I wish for, because they would make me feel luxurious and glamorous (how's my spelling so far? =P)
But I think that when it comes to luxury, you gotta work with what you got; I mean, luxury's defenition changes according to your own lifestyle.
In my life, I consider luxury when I get something I've wished for for so long and I finally get it; It's about qaulity and achievement; It's about dreams and what makes you happy (sometimes in a material way).
Oh CC, you got me having all these deep thoughts about it. Now I'll spend the whole night trying to come up with something logical haha
It's okay, I love you anyways ;)
Rock on!
Raspberry
absolutely GORGEOUS!!! i am for one a major sucker for luxury, so i know if i ever become rich, i'm gonna be that luxury lady ;D xoxo, lulu ♥
wow love the blue bow looking purse!!
and la mer, never used it, its expensive dang
chloé bag so lovelyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
The bracelet is quite pretty although rather ostentatious.
Michael Schiable's Lake Chapala Retreat looks amazing!
I didn't get to see 90210, but I loved watching the old reruns (and I'm sixteen!).
oh man i wish i could afford la mer cream! that new 90210 wasn't bad either.. kind of corny and predictable but i may watch it again
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