Lorre White, The Guru of Luxury

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hermes Camera $14,000

Leica is known for its limited edition cameras, meticulously handcrafted to woo those with love for collectors’ items.  This German camera manufacturer is all set to release an incredibly limited edition Leica M7 Hermes camera today itself.  This ultra-luxurious Hermes camera will appeal to those with decadent taste, and as always this one too will be produced in a very limited number of only 100 units, for a price as ornate as the camera for $14,000.  Furthermore it is also confirmed that ‘All control elements of the LEICA M7 Edition ‘Hermès’ have been manufactured exclusively in metal, and the back of the camera is finished in silver chrome. Furthermore, the red colour of the engraved AUTO and flash settings on the shutter speed dial has been replaced by the specific shade of the camera’s leather.’

European's Top Choice In Luxury Brands : Lorre White's Luxury Blog

The Luxury Institute has just released the results of their LBSI “Best of the Best” Luxury Brands survey, as ranked by European high net-worth consumers.

 

The survey finds that Chanel and Louboutin are at the top of the women’s market, while Loro Piana and Bottega Veneta dominate the men’s fashions.  Predictably, Porsche is ranked highest, with Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar following, out of the 20 automobile brands.

 

The LBSI asks high net-worth consumers to rate luxury brands by category across four equally weighted components: Consistently Superior Quality, Uniqueness and Exclusivity, Making the Customer Feel Special Across the Entire Experience and Being Consumed by People Who Are Admired and Respected.

 

Which luxury providers deliver the best combination of quality, exclusivity, customer experience and peer prestige in

Europe

?

 

The “Best of the Best” are: (LBSI score out of 10)

 

·         Women’s Fashion:

o        Chanel-7.56

o        Valentino-7.54

o        Louis Vuitton-7.53

 

·         Women’s Shoes:

o        Christian Louboutin-8.37

o        Manolo Blahnik-8.35

o        Jimmy Choo-8.30

 

·         Handbags:

o        Hermes- 7.84

o        Chanel-7.69

o        Jimmy Choo-7.66

 

·         Men’s Fashion:

o        Loro Piana-7.79

o        Ermenegildo Zegna-7.32

o        Giorgio Armani-6.94

 

·         Men’s Shoes:

o        Bottega Veneta-7.83

o        Piaciotti Cesare-7.77

o        Salvatore Ferragamo-7.64

 

·         Automobiles:

o        Porsche-7.53

o        Mercedes-Benz-7.24

o        Jaguar-7.18

 

·         Hotels:

o        Small Luxury Hotels of the World-8.40

o        The Luxury Collection-8.25

o        Maybourne Hotels-8.11

 

“

Europe

will always be a core market for the luxury industry, said Milton Pedraza, CEO of the Luxury Institute.  “It is still the largest continental economy in the world and continues to be the cradle of luxury.

Understanding the Mainland China Luxury Consumer

Understanding the Mainland China Luxury Consumer

Questions and Answers with Ms. Patriica Pao, president of the Pao Principle, a global business strategy consulting firm, that conducts studies of the emerging Chinese luxury consumer.

1.  What are some key similarities between Chinese luxury consumer attitudes and those of Americans?

Both mainland Chinese and Americans value individualism.  As a result, they look to luxury goods to help differentiate themselves from the crowd.  This is a fairly recent phenomenon in mainland China resulting from its "one-child" policy.

Additionally, both groups value quality.  Until fairly recently, mainland Chinese were more concerned with the logo.

And like Americans, mainland Chinese luxury buyers value selection.
Specifically, they want what is shown in New York, Tokyo and Paris brand boutiques.

2. What are some of the key differences?

Mainland Chinese love to bargain.  As a result, over 80% of panelists said that receiving a discount would motivate them to purchase more luxury goods.

Unlike the U.S. where demand for watches is driven by both sexes, in mainland China, men account for the majority of watch sales.  Over 60% of our male panelists reported purchasing a watch over the past 12 months.  In contrast, only 30% of our female panelists reported purchasing a watch over this same time period.

Mainland Chinese possess more limited knowledge of luxury brands.
Interviews with our panelists consistently resulted in the following
question:  "Why is this [item] worth so much money?"

Unlike the Americans who make most of their luxury goods purchases in the U.S., the majority of mainland Chinese purchase in Hong Kong due to lower prices/taxes and better selection.

Magazines continue to thrive in mainland China as they are the number one source of information for luxury goods

3. Among luxury product category, do Chinese consumers favor specific
countries' products?    i.e. which countries offer highest status?

Mainland China luxury customers tend to favor U.S., French and Italian brands for their handbags and fine jewelry purchases.  With regards to watches, they tend to favor Swiss, French and Italian brands.

4. How would you say American brands rank?

U.S. brands do well in handbags and fine jewelry.  Specifically, Tiffany was the top jewelry brand of choice with almost 30% share of panelists who had reported purchasing a piece of fine jewelry over the past 12 months and Coach tied for the #2 ranking (with Gucci) in terms of handbag purchases over the past 12 months.

5. Can you paint a picture of the fashion brands the Chinese luxury fashionista is now wearing?

The Chinese fashionista taste and style mirrors that of the New York fashionista.  Specifically, she wears brands such as Chanel, Miu Miu, Balenciaga, Yves St. Laurent and Louis Vuitton but  she is careful to "mix it up" as "head to toe" designer dressing is frowned upon.

6. What are some of the key mistakes luxury brands have made entering the Chinese marketplace?

There is no such thing as "one china."  Companies entering into mainland China assume they are serving a homogenous population when in fact tastes and habits differ tremendously by region.

Not recognizing that there is a tremendous gap in their belief of what mainland Chinese luxury buyers want versus what they actually need

Not investing in programs that facilitate knowledge and understanding of their brand

Not understanding the impact the "one-child" policy has on the way mainland Chinese consumers view luxury goods

Not effectively dealing with the language barrier.  Even in first-tier cities such as Shanghai and Beijing, most mainland Chinese do not speak English.

7. What advice can you offer these marketers?

Hire people to work at headquarters who are fluent in Mandarin both written and speaking who have demonstrated true insider understanding of current mainland China cultural trends and shifts.  For example, regarding social media, brands such as Twitter and Facebook cannot be leveraged as these brands are not accessible to mainland Chinese.

Maintain a close relationship with handbag buyers.  They are extremely brand loyal and purchase multiple pieces.  Of the almost 90% of panelists reported purchasing a handbag over the past 12 months, 46% said they would definitely purchase another handbag within the next 6 months.

Those brands possessing beauty and fragrance brands need to identify and cultivate these buyers as today's beauty buyer is tomorrow's handbag buyer.  Of the 77.8% of beauty purchasers in our study who had not purchased a handbag, watch or fine jewelry piece in the past 12 months, 100% of these buyers said they would definitely purchase an additional item from the brand with handbags being the top choice.

Creatively "tweek" the existing promotional program to make mainland Chinese buyers believe they are getting a deal.  This can take the form of gift-with-purchase, tickets to special events, frequent buyer clubs, etc.

Don't use mainland China as a dumping ground for excess inventory.
Instead improve selection by offering limited edition pieces and the same merchandise that is only available in New York, Paris and Tokyo brand boutiques (but not Hong Kong).

Invest in programs that increase mainland Chinese' knowledge of your brand.  Remember that education is key to conversion.

www.paoprinciple.com.

Lorre White: Art Basel Miami Beach takes place December 3 - 6, 2009.

Art Basel Miami Beach takes place December 3 - 6, 2009.

Art Basel Miami Beach is the most important art show in
the United States, a cultural and social highlight for the Americas. As the sister event of Switzerland's Art Basel, the most prestigious art show worldwide for the past 40 years,
Art Basel Miami Beach combines an international selection of top galleries with an exciting program of special exhibitions, parties and crossover events featuring music, film, architecture and design. Exhibition sites are located in the city's beautiful Art Deco District, within walking distance of the beach and many hotels.

An exclusive selection of more than 250 leading art galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa will exhibit 20th and 21st century artworks by over 2,000 artists. The exhibiting galleries are among the world's most respected art dealers, offering exceptional pieces by both renowned artists and cutting-edge newcomers. Special exhibition sections feature young galleries, performance art, public art projects and video art. The show will be a vital source for art lovers, allowing them to both discover new developments in contemporary art and experience rare museum-calibre artworks.

Top-quality exhibitions in the museums of South Florida and special programs for art collectors and curators also help make the event a special time for encountering art. And every year, a greater number of art collectors, artists, dealers, curators, critics and art enthusiasts from around the world participate in
Art Basel Miami Beach - the favorite winter meeting place for
the international art world.

Long-Range Forecast for the Luxury Travel Market Is Mixed

Please note that this group defines affluent is really aspirational upper middle class.  Just the fact that it talks about commercial flights instead of private jets etc, but it does give interesting information about the effects on the Mass Luxury client.

The long-range forecast for the luxury travel sector now through 2010 is mixed -- Bright and sunny for travel providers catering to the pleasure market, with storms and changing winds ahead for marketers that rely primarily on the business travel segment.  This according to a new trend report published by Unity Marketing entitled Forecast for Luxury Travel Through 2010:  A Luxury Trend Report.  It is based upon  the results of a survey conducted in October 2-7, 2009 among 1,067 affluent consumers (avg. income $228,800). 

Pam Danziger, president of Unity Marketing, says, "So far in Unity Marketing's quarterly luxury tracking study, the luxury travel sector has been one of the categories slower to recover from the recession.  The data shows that the recession for affluent consumers bottomed out at the end of third quarter 2008, but so far spending on luxury travel is down 22 percent for the first three quarters of 2009 as compared with same period last year.  In effect, luxury travel was slower going into the recession, and is slower coming out."

More business travel planned on reduced budgets – That means budget, discount, value are key words for travel providers that cater to the business market through 2010

The survey which looked at both the business and personal travel plans among affluent consumers (80 percent of whom are employed) found that while over 75 percent of business travelers expect to spend less or the same on business travel over the next 15 months, they will actually be increasing the pace of business travel.

Danziger explains, "Net/Net:  The research findings point to a modest increase in planned business travel, as a greater share of the market's most active travelers expect to be on the road more through 2010.  But they also expect to spend less on that travel.  'Road-warriors' in the short term will be looking for value from the travel brands they patronize.  The research finds they want more budget and business class hotels and budget, lower cost dining options.  Low on their list of business travel priorities through 2010 are dining in five-star restaurants; first-class air fare; or staying in five-star hotels." 

Affluents traveling for pleasure are likely to trade up to luxury level

The prospects for luxury travel through 2010 is more positive for the personal travel sector than business travel.  The survey finds that when affluents travel for their personal pleasure, they are far more likely to move up-scale to the four- and five-star accommodations that they have come to enjoy over the years.  Danziger explains, "A trend toward increased spending on personal travel is noted in this survey.  In the coming year luxury travel providers will be serving fewer business guests whose companies have put those brands on the forbidden list.  Rather they must focus on services directed toward the primarily pleasure travel market."

Luxury Needs A Safe Place To Be On Line.

November 5, 2009 --  Users of the popular

iPhone

are accustomed to turning to their phones to manage every portion of their lives, using it to find driving directions, play games, and even function as a flashlight.  So, luxury brand Ralph Lauren decided to meet these consumers where they live, designing a free

iPhone

app that allows users to scroll through items from their most recent Fashion Week shows and peruse selections from Ralph Lauren’s current collections.

Ralph Lauren, however, is one of the exceptions to the rule.  Luxury brands have typically eschewed an online presence, believing that their collections must be experienced in person, perhaps even in the atmosphere of a dedicated retail shop.  According to a new study from the NYU Stern School of Business, only a third of luxury brands were selling online just a year ago.

The recession has changed all this, as now two-thirds of luxury brands have some sort of online presence.  However, the study found that not all online efforts are created equal.  While some brands embrace the full spectrum of smart phone apps, Twitter feeds, and Facebook fan clubs,  many luxury brands still struggle with simple e-commerce, noting that cruise and tour brands, along with jewelry marketers were among the least digitally savvy. 

The NYU study rated 109 luxury brands across 11 product categories, giving brands ratings from  genius, gifted, average, challenged, feeble.  What sets apart the best digital performers like Tiffany, Louis Vuitton, Clinique and Porsche from the losers, like Waldorf Astoria, Trump, Faberge, Graff and Bulova, is their willingness to innovate the brand in the digital realm. 

Unity Marketing

Most Powerful Luxury Brands

10 World Most Powerful Luxury Brands

Three brands – Hermes, Gucci and Rolex have maintained double digit growth in brand value.

This acomplishment is significant at a time when many consumers can no longer afford expensive products. And those who can often feel compelled to constrain spending, concerned that flaunting Luxury
Badges would project insensitivity and poor taste.

The Luxury category has grown by 10 percent in brand value, driven mostly by demand in China and other developing markets. In addition, classic and timeless brands have done a better job of resisting the recession.

As the most ubiquitous Luxury brand, Louis Vuitton, which leads the category with a brand value of $19.4 billion, also benefited from this trend.

All the Luxury brands score high on brand contribution, reflecting the tight bond They have with customers. These scores have not softened, despite the economic pressure, suggesting that spending will resume when consumer confidence returnes.
Luxury brands may benefit in a recession as customers reward themselves with affordable Luxury treats. Some investment gurus have even suggested investing in Luxury items as more reliable return on investment than the stock market. Rolex watches, for example, often increase in value on the second-hand market.

Several Luxury brands held secret sales late in the year to move excess stock without tarnishing Their brand image. Brands such as Moet & Chandon, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton adjusted their messages to emphasize brand heritage, with resonates with the more reflective consumer mood.

After many years of high groth, with exciting and avant-garde designs and advertising, in 2008 Louis Vuitton went back to Its heritage with the launch of the Journey campaign, featuring celebrities such as Keith Richards and Sean Connery. The idea of the campaign is a celebration of Louis Vuitton’s origins: travel and discovery, but also an invitation for consumers to live their lives as a journey. This was a masterstroke in the current times. People are looking for brands that They can trust, that have stood the test of time and that They perceive to provide value. Louis Vuitton’s classic quality and timeless style play straight into this trend.

Read full article at

www.claudiodiniz-claudiodiniz.blogspot.co

Conical bras are flying off the shelves

Conical bras are flying off the shelves but would YOU wear one - and how do they work?

By Claire Coleman

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1225331/Conical-bras-flying-shelves-YOU-wear--work.html#ixzz0W0I44WHe

Well hello, boys! There's no getting away from it. That is exactly the message that my attire is sending out into the world. In fact, I think the only way I could make it clearer is if I were holding a flashing arrow pointing at my chest.

It's not that I'm striding around the November streets exposing the sort of cleavage that made Eva Herzigova so voluptuous that her Wonderbra ad stopped traffic. Far from it, I'm in fact clad in a very demure cashmere sweater.

Before and after: Claire Coleman in her own bra, left, and the attention-grabbing in a cone bra, right

But it's what I'm wearing underneath it that is causing something of a stir. Because following the news that John Lewis has recorded a surge in sales of pointy bras, I am road-testing one of the aforementioned garments and the results are - ahem - interesting, to say the least.

I suppose I should be grateful that my modesty has - to some extent - been preserved.

After all, the concept of a conical bra means one thing and one thing only to anyone who grew up in the Nineties: Madonna and THAT outfit.

The infamous cone bra corset that Jean Paul Gaultier designed for her Blonde Ambition tour became a cultural reference point, long before we realised that, actually, Madonna wasn't the first blonde to popularise this style of lingerie.

Indeed, in the Fifties, Diana Dors and Marilyn Monroe were infamous for their unnaturally cone-shaped bosoms that helped shape that Fifties icon 'the sweater girl'. Flash-forward 50 years and it looks like this particular silhouette is back with a bang.

OUR PICK OF THE COOLEST CONE BRAS: Red & black Lulu bullet bra, £35, whatkatiedid.com (left)
The prettiest and most wearable of all the bras, thanks to a less-extreme shape and with the lace a more feminine touch.
Pink satin bra, £109, Rigby & Peller, 0845 076 5545 (right)
This was meant to be inspired by old-world glamour, but seemed more reminiscent of a Madonna video. The points needed more padding.
Nude soft non-wired bra, £9.75, johnlewis.com (below)
This is the conical bra for women who don’t want to wear a conical bra. It offered very little support.

Helen Spencer, John Lewis's head buyer of lingerie, says: 'I think we're selling more conical bras as customers take influence from designers such as Louise Goldin, Jean Paul Gaultier and Dolce & Gabbana, who have rediscovered the bra as outerwear in their spring/summer 2010 collections.

'Throughout the last century, the trend for feminine pointy-shaped bras experienced a renaissance following times of a toughened economy, marking a return of unabashed femininity as women seek to have more fun with fashion as a form of escapism.'

I don't know about escapism. The Triumph Doreen bra (£23.50, johnlewis.com) that I'm wearing feels an awful lot more restrictive than my usual choice.

This ain't pretty, sexy underwear.

This is the sort of matronly underwear that is probably referred to as 'a foundation garment'; it's no-nonsense, functional stuff that the empire was built on.

And while, in my pencil skirt, rear-seamed stockings and tight sweater, I'd hoped to be channelling a sort of breathy, Jessica-Rabbit-meets-Marilyn-Monroe vibe, I actually feel more like my old history teacher, Mrs Lewis, who had a bosom so impressive that it could silence a full assembly hall in seconds.

(Admittedly, this might have been down to her position in authority and her booming baritone, but I still believe that her formidable bosom, that she always seemed to wear high, proud and pointed - like a pair of attacking bazookas - added in no small way to the effect.)

I might not feel in the slightest bit sexy with this pair of oversized bullets attached to my torso, but there's no escaping the fact that I'm garnering an awful lot more attention than I usually would in a prim sweater and skirt.

Walking through the office, I'm a little bit concerned that I've inadvertently given an entire desk whiplash, after my two-pronged attack prompts a series of double-takes.

'Wow, your boobs walked into the room before you did,' gasps the photographer.

I pop outside to grab a sandwich for lunch and the man serving me seems to have problems focusing on my face, and on my way back to the office a passing builder shouts after me: 'You'll have someone's eye out with them!'

But when I do a quick straw poll, almost everyone agrees that while it's an eye-catching look, it's just not sexy.

 

More...

• Pointy bras make a comeback as sales of 'Marilyn Monroe' underwear enjoy an uplift
• Unveiled: The anti-wrinkle bra that promises to rid women of crinkly cleavage
• Beauty confidential: Is there a way for the over-40s to wear coloured mascara?
• What you'd look like in... Cameron Diaz's Phillip Lim ruffle dress
• LIZ JONES MOANS: A dustbin lid dress and trousers that made her thighs look chunky... Cheryl Cole's disastrous X Factor wardrobe

'I think it's because when men think about boobs, they think about something soft and round - it's the curves that are sexy,' ponders one man.

'But this is a very aggressive look.'

You can see his point. Who in their right mind wouldn't be terrified with these two instruments of torture bearing down on them?

And to be honest, that decides me. If lingerie doesn't feel good, doesn't look good and men don't find it sexy, frankly what's the point of it?

It might have worked for Marilyn and Jean Paul Gaultier, but despite John Lewis's recent figures piquing my interest, I've got to confess that my interest in these particular twin peaks has, well, peaked.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1225331/Conical-bras-flying-shelves-YOU-wear--work.html#ixzz0W0IEu2Ot

Dates For Up Coming Film Festivals!

Hamptons International Film Festival - Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 October 2009 -
Rome International Film Festival - Tuesday 20 & Wednesday 21 October 2009 -
Austin Film Festival - Saturday 24 October 2009 -
Cineteca di Bologna - Wednesday 11 November 2009