“With Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster, [Dana] Thomas—who has been the cultural and fashion writer for Newsweek in Paris for 12 years—has written a crisp, witty social history that's as entertaining as it is informative.” —New York TimesFrom the author of Fashionopolis: The Price of Fast Fashion and the Future of Clothes 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.

Thomas, Dana, 1964-

Ladybird Books Ltd

Penguin Books Ltd

Penguin Press

United Kingdom and Ireland, United Kingdom

New York, New York State, 2008

New York, 2008, ©2007

Illustrated, 2008

Includes bibliographical references (pages 361-362) and index.

<p>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&rsquo;t want us to know. Deluxe is an uncompromising look behind the glossy fa&ccedil;ade that will enthrall anyone interested in fashion, finance, or culture.</p> <h3>The New York Times - Michiko Kakutani</h3> <p>With <i>Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster,</i> Ms. Thomas&#151;who has been the cultural and fashion writer for <i>Newsweek</i> in Paris for 12 years&#151;has written a crisp, witty social history that's as entertaining as it is informative. Traveling from French perfume laboratories to Las Vegas shopping malls to assembly-line factories in China, she traces the evolving face of the luxury goods business, from design through marketing to showroom sales.</p>

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 do not want us to know. "Deluxe" is an uncompromising look behind the glossy facade that will enthrall anyone interested in fashion, finance, or culture

From the importance of fashion owners, to red carpet stars and the seasonal 'must-have' handbags, this book shows how far illustrious houses have moved from their roots. It witnesses how these 'luxury' handbags are no longer one in a million, discovers why luxury brand clothing doesn't last as long, and finds out just who is making your perfume.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 361-362) and index
An industry is born -- Group mentality -- Going global -- Stars get in your eyes -- The sweet smell of success -- It's in the bag -- The needle and the damage done -- Going mass -- Faux Amis -- What now? -- New luxury

2023-10-09