Luxury World: The Past, Present and Future of Luxury Brands

The word luxury has almost lost its meaning. Once used to describe genuinely prestigious products or places, the concept of luxury has been hijacked by a multitude of aspiring or overpriced commodities, from foot spas to chocolates. So what is real luxury? Which are the genuine luxury brands, and how have they reacted to the rise of the mass luxury sector? What strategies do they use to lift themselves into the realm of the truly elite? Who are their customers - and what kind of lives do these remarkable people lead? How do luxury brands attract and retain them? And above all, where can the industry turn now excess is out of fashion?

With wit, accuracy and insatiable curiosity, Luxury World takes us on a voyage around the luxury universe, slipping behind the facades of the world's most sophisticated businesses to demonstrate how they function. Among other destinations, Luxury World visits Swiss watchmakers, the Champagne houses of France, the diamond district of Antwerp, the luxury enclave of Monte Carlo, the discreet ateliers of the last craftsmen and a host of brands in Paris - the self-proclaimed capital of elegance. Along the way, he uncovers the true face of today's luxury industry.

Author: Mark Tungate
Publisher: Kogan Page
Published: 11/01/2009
Pages: 272
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.20lbs
Size: 9.30h x 6.40w x 0.90d
ISBN: 9780749452636

Review Citation(s):
Reference and Research Bk News 02/01/2010 pg. 121

About the Author
Mark Tungate is a journalist specializing in marketing, media, and communication. He is the author of best-selling Fashion Brands, as well as Adland: A Global History of Advertising, Branded Male and Media Monoliths (all published by Kogan Page). Based in Paris, he has a weekly column in the French media magazine Strategies, and writes regularly about advertising, style and popular culture for the trends intelligence service WGSN. His work has appeared in The Times, The Independent and the Daily Telegraph newspapers. He is also the co-author of The Epica Book, an annual review of the best European advertising. In addition, Mark teaches courses about marketing, media and communication at Parsons Paris School of Design. He has addressed conferences around the world and has been on the juries of several advertising competitions. For more information, see www.tungateinparis.com.