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The Rape of Luxury

By Tara Lyn  

      An obviously wise man once stated that video killed the radio star.  Not to step on his Gucci loafers, but modernity is raping luxury and leaving it a hallow skeleton of what it once was.           

Once known for its purring engine and classically beautiful body, the Porsche was known to be a car above the rest.   This was due to the German engines that were carefully crafted by the adept hands of skilled technicians until late 1990s when they began mass production.   Though still a beautiful car, the once distinguishable purr blurs with that of others made in the same German factories as they speed past you on the interstate.  Music that was once created by talented musicians can now be synthetically mastered by computer – sorry Ashlee.           

With perfect copies, mass production allowing for more supply than demand, the world has gotten smaller than the Olsen twin’s leggings.   Is it any wonder why the Birken Bag is so coveted – even at its steep price of $15,000 and climbing – with every stitch done by hand?  Quality and customer service has become rarer than trans fat in a midtown restaurant.     

I was shopping with a college friend (we’ll call him J) who just happens to be the grandson of a European Baron.   We were in a supposedly, luxury store trying to have the zipper fixed on a purse when the clerk remarks that they wont fix it, and neither would any designer boutique.   His authority was the fact that he worked retail at Prada, Gucci and Dior.  J’s response – in his ambiguous European boarding school accent – was “that’s great! I shop at all those places and that’s never been the case!”   I’m not sharing this to show something about myself or my friends but instead to share insight into a change in the world of fashion and luxury – that brand-names built on excellence and luxury are not feeling the need to sustain their reputations anymore.    

The moment that solidified this revelation took place during post-holiday-season returns.  I was in Prada attempting to return a sweatshirt weighing in at over $700 – a very nice gift I’d say to a man from his three children.  According to the men’s manager (at the 70 ^th & Madison location) the gift purchase date and the current date were too spread out.   In all her pregnant glory – you know who you are – she went on to tell me that Prada was not a department store, as if I thought it was K-Mart! She did not care that it happened to not fit a sick - and I don’t mean with just a head cold, but actually sick – relative who was unable to be there.   I had two options: to use his credit for myself (I told her he was not in a shape to come in himself at that point) and buy something; or to keep a very expensive sweatshirt a sick relative couldn’t wear.    

In true Upper East Side fashion I reminded her that she was pissing off very good clients.   Responding to me that I would know their policy if I ever shopped there – as if I were K-Fed claiming I had musical talent – she handed me back my receipt and watched me place it into my Prada pony hair wallet with matching business card holder, then take out my cell from it’s Prada case and make a call as I walked away.       

Don’t get me wrong.  I’m not a brand hater or a brand whore.   Sitting on the runway, with my mini hot pink Prada duffle, waiting for my – again delayed – flight to take off I don’t want to come off as hypocritical or anti-fashion.   I’m just ruminating.  Luxury service became as scarce as Britney’s panties.  Has the concept of cheap shopping options, imposters – or more PC, imitations – and web sites where you can rent designer items (check out www.bagborroworsteal.com ) made luxury stores become complacent?  Designers are acting as men after the third or fourth date – doing the bare minimum; knowing if someone’s interest is piqued they will keep coming back.   Sales associates like Shahla – from Chanel’s 64 ^th and Madison location – are becoming rarer; she keeps up with clients by sending cards and perks.   In short, luxury brands just don’t feel the need to court their clients anymore – it’s like a celebrity race to the altar, instead of a real lasting commitment of excellence.           

It was not so long ago that the costumer was right or that popular artists could actually sing.   A mere 10 years ago Porsches purred, salons offered champagne and luxury stood for something.     

Maybe luxury is as out as overalls were after the early 90s.   Maybe there is no need for it as the world becomes smaller and easier to access and we movie into a new era.   I leave you – the jury – to ponder if modernity is an accomplice to the video star.

The Rape of Luxury

By Tara Lyn  

      An obviously wise man once stated that video killed the radio star.  Not to step on his Gucci loafers, but modernity is raping luxury and leaving it a hallow skeleton of what it once was.           

Once known for its purring engine and classically beautiful body, the Porsche was known to be a car above the rest.   This was due to the German engines that were carefully crafted by the adept hands of skilled technicians until late 1990s when they began mass production.   Though still a beautiful car, the once distinguishable purr blurs with that of others made in the same German factories as they speed past you on the interstate.  Music that was once created by talented musicians can now be synthetically mastered by computer – sorry Ashlee.           

With perfect copies, mass production allowing for more supply than demand, the world has gotten smaller than the Olsen twin’s leggings.   Is it any wonder why the Birken Bag is so coveted – even at its steep price of $15,000 and climbing – with every stitch done by hand?  Quality and customer service has become rarer than trans fat in a midtown restaurant.     

I was shopping with a college friend (we’ll call him J) who just happens to be the grandson of a European Baron.   We were in a supposedly, luxury store trying to have the zipper fixed on a purse when the clerk remarks that they wont fix it, and neither would any designer boutique.   His authority was the fact that he worked retail at Prada, Gucci and Dior.  J’s response – in his ambiguous European boarding school accent – was “that’s great! I shop at all those places and that’s never been the case!”   I’m not sharing this to show something about myself or my friends but instead to share insight into a change in the world of fashion and luxury – that brand-names built on excellence and luxury are not feeling the need to sustain their reputations anymore.    

The moment that solidified this revelation took place during post-holiday-season returns.  I was in Prada attempting to return a sweatshirt weighing in at over $700 – a very nice gift I’d say to a man from his three children.  According to the men’s manager (at the 70 ^th & Madison location) the gift purchase date and the current date were too spread out.   In all her pregnant glory – you know who you are – she went on to tell me that Prada was not a department store, as if I thought it was K-Mart! She did not care that it happened to not fit a sick - and I don’t mean with just a head cold, but actually sick – relative who was unable to be there.   I had two options: to use his credit for myself (I told her he was not in a shape to come in himself at that point) and buy something; or to keep a very expensive sweatshirt a sick relative couldn’t wear.    

In true Upper East Side fashion I reminded her that she was pissing off very good clients.   Responding to me that I would know their policy if I ever shopped there – as if I were K-Fed claiming I had musical talent – she handed me back my receipt and watched me place it into my Prada pony hair wallet with matching business card holder, then take out my cell from it’s Prada case and make a call as I walked away.       

Don’t get me wrong.  I’m not a brand hater or a brand whore.   Sitting on the runway, with my mini hot pink Prada duffle, waiting for my – again delayed – flight to take off I don’t want to come off as hypocritical or anti-fashion.   I’m just ruminating.  Luxury service became as scarce as Britney’s panties.  Has the concept of cheap shopping options, imposters – or more PC, imitations – and web sites where you can rent designer items (check out www.bagborroworsteal.com ) made luxury stores become complacent?  Designers are acting as men after the third or fourth date – doing the bare minimum; knowing if someone’s interest is piqued they will keep coming back.   Sales associates like Shahla – from Chanel’s 64 ^th and Madison location – are becoming rarer; she keeps up with clients by sending cards and perks.   In short, luxury brands just don’t feel the need to court their clients anymore – it’s like a celebrity race to the altar, instead of a real lasting commitment of excellence.           

It was not so long ago that the costumer was right or that popular artists could actually sing.   A mere 10 years ago Porsches purred, salons offered champagne and luxury stood for something.     

Maybe luxury is as out as overalls were after the early 90s.   Maybe there is no need for it as the world becomes smaller and easier to access and we movie into a new era.   I leave you – the jury – to ponder if modernity is an accomplice to the video star.