Let's Talk: What is Luxury? - Part 1

Welcome to "***It's About Time***"! Today we will do something different: I want to have a chat on the ideologies of luxury and the many faces it may have.  The english language defines luxury as: luxury /lŭg′zhə-rē, lŭk′shə-/ **noun** 1. Sumptuous or extremely comfortable living or surroundings. "lives in luxury." 2. Something that is desirable but expensive or hard to obtain or do. "did not have the luxury of working in an up-to-date laboratory." 3. A free indulgence in costly food, dress, furniture, or anything expensive which gratifies the appetites or tastes. 4. Anything which pleases the senses, is not necessary for life, and is also costly, or difficult to obtain; an expensive rarity; Contrasted to necessity. "silks, jewels, and rare fruits are luxuries; in some countries ice is a great luxury." *"From the Merriam Webster Dictionary"* I like the definition, I find it quite extensive... yet I feel it lacks more depth. As we explored this topic while recording this episode, I have come to the realization that Luxury, a concept commonly understood, tends to be quite boundless into what it can include into each single individual's understanding. To emphasize on this, I decided to query Gemini AI and asked it what luxury was and the answer was quite interesting: *Luxury is defined as a *condition of abundance or great ease and comfort*. It often involves indulgence in items or experiences that provide pleasure or satisfaction, though they are not essential for survival.* ***Historical Context*** - ***Origins*: The term "luxury" comes from the Latin word luxuria, meaning excess or extravagance. Historically, luxury was associated with the wealthy and powerful, characterized by tangible goods like precious metals, gemstones, and fine fabrics.** - ***Traditional Luxury*: Before the Industrial Revolution, luxury was primarily a status symbol, linked to handcrafted and rare items that distinguished the elite from the general populace.** ***Evolution of Luxury*** - ***Industrial Revolution Impact*: The advent of mass production made luxury goods more accessible, prompting brands to adapt their strategies to attract a broader audience while maintaining an air of exclusivity.** - ***Modern Interpretations*: Today, luxury encompasses not just material possessions but also experiences. There is a growing emphasis on *experiential luxury*, where unique and memorable experiences are valued over physical items.** ***Current Trends*** - ***Sustainability and Ethics*: Modern luxury increasingly focuses on sustainability, ethical sourcing, and personalization. Consumers are looking for brands that reflect their values and offer unique, high-quality products.** - ***Experiential Luxury*: This includes personalized services, bespoke travel, and wellness experiences, highlighting a shift in consumer priorities towards memorable moments rather than mere ownership of goods.** *Luxury continues to evolve, reflecting changes in societal values and consumer preferences.* Again, an interesting answer... but it lacks more depth. it did touch on some interesting concepts such as sustainability and ethics, but as mentioned previously it seems too general. Not being satisfy by this, I wanted to have a deeper conversation on the topic with two people whom I believe work with luxury as part of their entrepreneurial carriers.  Dr. Omar Fabbro, an expert in cosmetic dentistry, runs his own practices on Jumeriah Road, one of the most VIP areas in the Dubai, UAE. His perception of esthetics as well as his knowledge of the medical field, makes him a unique speaker with some incredible insights on the topic. Ksenia Dolgova, a talented Jewelry and fashion designer, runs her practices all over the globe, working for a niche set of customers, creating bespoke pieces of both jewelry and accessories. She has travel the world and attends some of the most exclusive conventions for both Jewelry and Design, this has allowed her to nurture a deep understanding of what luxury means. Thanks to them, we will try to understand and go deep into what the meaning of Luxury is in todays world as well as what does it mean and represent for each of us. So sit back and relax because "***It's About Time***" to get started! If you want to know more about Dr. Omar Fabbro and Ksenia Dolgova you can follow them on: @doctorfabbro @axiniafashion Got Questions? Want to know more? Get in Touch! Got Questions? Want to know more? Get in Touch! Follow the podcast on Instagram:  @itsabouttimeiat