Luxury World

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.

Originally published in 1980 ‘Luxury’ Fleet (the phrase was Winston Churchill’s) was the first history of the Imperial German navy from 1888 to 1918. After tracing the historical background to German naval ambitions, the first two sections of the book analyse Admiral Tirpitz’s programme of building a battle fleet strong enough to engage the Royal Navy in the North Sea. The author shows the fleet in its European setting and describes the warships and the attitudes of the officer corps and seamen. The final section of the book discusses the tactical deployment of the German fleet during the First World War, both in home waters and overseas; and it weighs the balance between those who supported fleet actions in preference to those who favoured cruiser and submarine warfare.

In recent times, the advent of new technologies, the concerns about sustainability, and the new tastes of the youngest generations of luxury consumers have affected the traditional dynamics of the luxury goods markets. These emerging issues have caused significant changes in the marketing of luxury goods. Sustainable development is not a new practice in the luxury market but is of increasing importance. The real challenge is for luxury companies to overcome the residual corporate social responsibility perspective to embrace a real integration of environmental, ethical, and social concerns into the corporate strategy. Integrated output and sustainable processes, the introduction of non-financial reporting as operational practice, and a new orientation to circular economy practices are emerging issues that still today request for a deeper exploration both on the academic and managerial point of view. Digitalization is another relevant issue that is reshaping the business model of luxury companies. Big data, blockchain, omnichannel experience, and digital customer experience represent the main digital challenges that luxury brand companies are facing nowadays. Luxury brands must keep up with these digital demands and sustainability concerns to maintain their position in the global market. Developing Successful Global Strategies for Marketing Luxury Brands upgrades the most relevant theoretical frameworks and empirical research about the marketing of luxury goods. This book is focused on contemporary issues affecting luxury industries such as digital transformation (blockchain, big data, analytics, innovation processes), sustainable development, changes in luxury consumers’ behavior, integration between physical and online channels, and the development of social media marketing strategies. Chapters will cover areas of marketing, management, buyer behavior, and international business, creating a multidisciplinary approach for this book. This book is ideal for scholars, local government agencies and public bodies, managers, luxury business owners, along with practitioners, stakeholders, researchers, academicians, and students who are interested in emerging issues affecting the luxury market, such as sustainability and digital transformation.

Pure Luxury: World's Best Houses features houses on every continent, from Costa Rica to South Africa, Korea to Cyprus, as well as extensive coverage of the USA and Australia. The book showcases projects by leading architects including Lake-Flato, Griffin Enright Architects, Iredale Pedersen Hook, Mojo Sturmer Architects and many more... This publication is the latest in IMAGES' landmark series of 100 Houses titles Pure Luxury: World's Best Houses is a celebration of residential living at its finest, and best. Satisfying our natural and abiding curiosity about how other people live, and our endless quest to add a special something to our own homes, this latest volume in IMAGES' 100 Houses series showcases contemporary architectural trends. The beauty of residential architecture lies in its infinite scope for innovation and the comfort of its inhabitants, be they at rest, at play, or hosting guests. Among the awe-inspiring projects in this book are an opulent villa set in the Hollywood Hills with an infinity pool projecting over LA, an idyllic rural retreat set in luxurious valleys and stunning beach houses around the coast. The diversity of the locations extend from Mexico and Brazil to Thailand and Italy. Featured architects include: Damien Murtagh, Lockyer Architects, ISJ Architects, Saucier + Perrotte, SAOTA, Okada Architects, Original Vision, Koutsoftides Architects, Drozdov Partners and Carlos Bratke Architect.

This book explores new approaches and strategies that luxury fashion brands could adopt in their operations toward sustainability goals. It addresses the unique challenges faced by luxury fashion brands, given that concepts of luxury and sustainability may be conflicting. In doing so, it elaborates on how fashion brands need to manage their suppliers to comply with and improve social and environmental conditions, the pressure to fulfill the triple-bottom lines, consumer demands for transparency, and social media and its advantages in achieving sustainability goals. Exploring the notion that luxury fashion brands are in a better position to pursue superior sustainability performance, it presents research that highlights how the consequences of non-compliance could have more devastating effects on luxury brands than on mass-market brands. The book is a valuable resource for academics and practitioners in the field of business, sustainability, and fashion.

Issues for include Annual air transport progress issue.

“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 Times From 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.

Objects of desire--Ultimate engines--Mega yachts--Ultimate homes--Luxury air travel.