Fantasy versus Finance: Can Luxury Goods Hold-up During Hard Times?

It's no big secret that in the U.S. we are experiencing some financial hardship. Will luxury goods (LG) be affected as well?

Some consumers see luxury goods as a status symbol and a way to trade up to a different lifestyle market. They want to purchase what the affluent consumer is purchasing for several reason 1) to keep up with the Joneses, 2) as a reward for achieving something and 3) as a perceived value of prestige and high quality goods. Items that were once only purchased a few times a year had started to turn into instant gratification items that are purchased weekly. With America heading into a slower economy will the LG soon be taking a hit? Will manufactures/retailers have to cut back on creating, stocking and selling certain items?

With the average consumer making cuts, will the demand slow? The demand for LG will not completely slow down not as long as there are consumers who still want to purchase them whether they can afford it or not. The credit card fills that financial void for those who can not. But for how long?

Most magazines continue to promote luxury goods despite the average consumer feeling the economic crunch. But don't blame them, it's there job of selling a fantasy lifestyle to consumers. However, consumers are not buying it, they are strategically making cuts to their budgets and limiting some luxury items. They are figuring out what to continue to buy and what to leave on the shelves.

Areas that are starting to see a slight decline are:

* $100+ jeans: consumers still want the top styles but are looking to more affordable brands to get those looks.

* High-end jewelry: excluding the engagement ring, consumers are making for conscious decisions about which items to purchase and are looking for one or two key stand out pieces instead of following the latest trend.

* Expensive designer watches

* Large homes

* Luxury cars

* Expensive beauty products that don't live up to their claims

* Expensive bottled water


However, there are areas that are still in demand:

* High-end Wine and Liquor

* Designer handbags and shoes

* Designer clothing: although there is a slight decline for some items such as the basic, many consumers want that special piece such as dress or coat.

* Spas and beauty treatments

Thursday Luxury Sale by Gilt Groupe with Randi Rahm, Cynthia Steffe and J Linderberg

Today only at Noon (12pm EST), Gilt Groupe is having a huge luxury sale for Randi Rahm, Cynthia Steffe and J Linderberg (for the guys). It's the perfect time to check off your must buy list of summer fashion with designer pieces at an amazing price.

Gilt Groupe is a private online community, which is dedicated to providing its members with access to coveted fashion and luxury lifestyle brands at sample sale prices. For the special VIP link to register and to start shopping click here: www.gilt.com/ggvip.


* Randi Rahm


Randi Rahm, a favorite of Mariah Carey, is known for her luxurious fabric patterns and her intricate embroidery. As her clients are in creative fields, such as music and the performing arts, they like to express themselves through the clothes they wear. Rahm’s trademark hand-beaded and bejeweled gowns have graced the pages of major magazines and illuminated Red Carpets worldwide.


* Cynthia Steffe

Cynthia Steffe has many celebrity fans, including Jessica Simpson and Kristin Davis, who find her designs innovative and youthful spirited. The Cynthia Steffe winning formula combines an airy femininity with easy sophistication creating a collection of pieces that are traditionally sweet, feminine day-to-work pieces.


* J Linderberg

The J Lindeberg collection fuses hot rock-and-roll looks with traditional preppy chic and the success and popularity of his brand earned Lindeberg the title of the Most Influential Fashion Designer in Sweden. His collections provide high-quality basics, with a large selection of suits and button-down shirts as well as a few well-tailored, must-have pieces. His designs have been featured in Details, Men’s Vogue and GQ to name a few.

Don't Miss the Sale!!!

Charm Bracelet: a Timeless Treasure

Charm Bracelets never go out of style. From classic or creative, the charm bracelets shows a touch of your your personality be it a sparse one charm or a multi-charm. You can customize it or buy one already completed. Budget or splurge. It all depends on what you like. A timeless treasure that can be passed down from mother to daughter.

Bracelet above: Wright & Teague Sentiment Charm Bracelet £680.00 (around $1,341.71)


Multicharm Bracelet
Coach
$398.00



Betsey Johnson Black Rose Charm Bracelet
Nordstrom
$50.00



Breast Cancer Awareness Charm Bracelet
Target
$19.99



Juicy Couture 'Luxe' Starter Bracelet with Icons
Nordstrom
$88.00



Charm Bracelet
Forever21
$6.80



Lucky Brand Feater & Peace Charm Bracelet
Macy's
$38.00



Lois Hill Cutout Charm Bracelet
Nordstrom
$274.00



Sun & Moon Charm Bracelet
HeavenlyTreasures.com
$498.00



Princess Kitty Charm Bracelet
Neiman Marcus
$2,900



Juicy Couture Romantic Charm Bracelet
Nordstrom
$178.00

A few more options for Charm Bracelets:
Tiffany & Co.
Forzieri.com
Tina Tang
Alex Woo

My Latest Obsession: Piazza Sempione

I have been really interested in Piazza Sempione lately because it has such a professional and posh feel to the designs. It's a luxury Italian line that has classic pieces that could be worn for many seasons. You can find Piazza Sempione at Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman.

Bontoni: Elegant and Timeless Men's Shoes

Bontoni is known for their superior hand crafted Italian men's shoes and exquisite hand coloring. These shoes are perfect for the man who has everything.



Their shoes are classic but with a contemporary edge resulting in a style of timeless Italian elegance. This family owned business has been known by their local customers for years, but the company has recently expanded their business to luxury shoe connoisseurs outside of their local town.


Bontoni Italian men's shoes are available in ready-to-wear and made-to-measure service. Their ready-to-wear is available in four collections (Amarcord, Casanova, Serenata and Volare) which range in prices between $1000-$1550.

To ensure the quality of their shoes, they make only a small batch of 7-10 pairs a day in their modest workshop which is located in the Marche region of Italy. They are available at these luxury retailers: Bergdorf Goodman, Wilkes Bashford, Stanley Korshak, Mario's, Lawrence Covell, Louis Boston, Battaglia and more.


Their made-to-measure service is a luxury treatment with the client working with Bontoni to create their ultimate shoe. The service takes place over five months with the help of three separate shoe fittings resulting in you receiving your custom made shoes in a hand crafted leather box. The price starts at $3,500. For more information visit Bontoni.com and click on Contact.

Bontoni was recently selected by Forbes as the "Find of the Day" for their made-to-measure service. Their shoes are currently being worn by prominent actors, Hedge Fund managers, CEOs, professional athletes and many more.

Luxury and Sports: Louis Vuitton Petanque Set

(Photo Credit: Fashion Week Daily)

Fashon Week Daily is reporting that Louis Vuitton has created a limited-edition pétanque ball set priced at $1,813. The Luxury collection was created in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the sport pétanque. The set includes a leather-encased set of nine monogrammed balls and a cochonnet, or jack.

If this is in your price range and you're looking for a special gift for a worldly sports fan then this pétanque set is probably the perfect gift.