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"Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster" by Dana Thomas

mr monty

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Anyone else reading this book or read it? Somebody here recommended this book a few weeks ago. I got mine and didn't want to put it down. This should be required reading for SF and Ask Andy members. You can get a used copy for less than $5.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...estyleforum-20
 

ozonemania

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Off-topic, but I had to look up the word 'luster" in the dictionary to see if it was spelled right. Sure enough, it is the correct american spelling, just not used to seeing it spelled that way being in canada. How odd.

Thanks for introducing this book; it looks very interesting indeed. I'm going to check to see if they have it at my local book seller.
 

larsrindsig

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Currently reading. It is an interesting book although, ideally, it would have focussed more on truly artisinal, handcrafted etc items than the more glitzy Armani-esque film star stylist stuff that it does. (I'm halfway through - it may change focus). But not a bad book at all. (Incidentally, the UK market edition is titled 'Lustre' instead of 'Luster' although everything inside retains the American spelling
smile.gif
).
 

TRINI

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Read this book and enjoyed it.
 

rach2jlc

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Originally Posted by larsrindsig
It is an interesting book although, ideally, it would have focussed more on truly artisinal, handcrafted etc items than the more glitzy Armani-esque film star stylist stuff that it does..
True, but there is also marketing involved; sharing the hidden "secrets" of Gucci is a much better way of selling copies than sharing the hidden secrets of... say... Caraceni. As well, there is less potential scandal or shock-value involved; I seriously doubt Caraceni has most of his suits made in China, then flown back to Italy to have the buttons and tags sewn in so as to keep the "Made in Italy" mark like Gucci and the others often do with their bags and such.
 

redgrail

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Originally Posted by rach2jlc
True, but there is also marketing involved; sharing the hidden "secrets" of Gucci is a much better way of selling copies than sharing the hidden secrets of... say... Caraceni. As well, there is less potential scandal or shock-value involved; I seriously doubt Caraceni has most of his suits made in China, then flown back to Italy to have the buttons and tags sewn in so as to keep the "Made in Italy" mark like Gucci and the others often do with their bags and such.

Exactly. She was looking for scandals in the major players of the fashion industry, Gucci, LVMH, etc...and she found them. Very interesting read.
 

Eustace Tilley

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Doc4

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Originally Posted by ozonemania
Off-topic, but I had to look up the word 'luster" in the dictionary to see if it was spelled right. Sure enough, it is the correct american spelling, just not used to seeing it spelled that way being in canada. How odd.

Thanks for introducing this book; it looks very interesting indeed. I'm going to check to see if they have it at my local book seller.


Let's not get into any off-colour remarks that would dishonour this forum and antagonise our neighbours to the south and make them think that they're not the centre of the universe.

rimshot.gif
 

N. McKay

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Originally Posted by Doc4
Let's not get into any off-colour remarks that would dishonour this forum and antagonise our neighbours to the south and make them think that they're not the centre of the universe.

Well, I was going to comment that "Correct American spelling" is a contradiction in terms but in light of your very diplomatic request I will refrain.

wink.gif
 

Gus

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Great book and very well written. I couldn't put it down either! Anybody with an interest in fashion or global branding strategies will enjoy this. It was highly recommended by the NYTimes when it first came out.
 

Reevolving

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Originally Posted by waldenbags
The trumping of marketing over substance seems to be the new norm. See Dana Thomas' "Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster":
Here is a summary. Warning: This speaker can't get through one damn sentence without flubbing something. B/c of this, hands down the most annoying speech delivery I've endured in recent memory.
 

narcissism

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Just bought this book. "Cheap" by Ellen Ruppel Shell does not focus on clothing as much as this book.
 

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