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HISTORY OF LUXURY - Coggle Diagram
HISTORY OF LUXURY
The Ancient World: Luxury as Divine Power (c. 3100 BCE – 476 CE)
Tied to spiritual and symbolic power, link between
the mortal and immortal realms
Opulence and precious materials were not merely displays of wealth but symbols of divine right, immortality, and supreme power.
(GOLD, STONES, JEWELRY, PERFUMES AND OILS)
Luxury was a symbol reserved for divinity, royalty, and the highest echelons of the elite
The Medieval & Renaissance Eras: Luxury of Scarcity and Craft
Medieval (5th – 15th Century)
Luxury was concentrated within
the Church and the Nobility
rare materials and legally enforced status symbols
Luxury's power was expressed through the difficulty and cost of acquisition; value was derived from possessing what others could not obtain, either by law or by means.
Renaissance (14th – 17th Century)
Appreciation for craftsmanship, art, and intellectual refinement
Finely tailored clothing and unique jewelry became markers of not just wealth, but taste
Luxury become a synonymous with high culture, artistic brilliance, and the celebration of human genius.
The Modern Era: The Birth of the Luxury Brand
17th Century France
The state began to institutionalize luxury production to promote national prestige and dominate international trade
The narrative of luxury became one of national
pride and superior French savoir-faire
Under the rule of King Louis XIV, luxury became a potent political and economic tool
19th Century Industrial Revolution
The rise of the first Haute Couture houses (like Vuitton, Charles Frederick Worth, Cartier)
The narrative of luxury was now defined by the
Brand Name, Heritage, and Customization
, setting it definitively apart from mass-produced goods
luxury houses pushed back the mass production by emphasizing even greater exclusivity, bespoke service, and a connection to heritage
Contemporary Luxury: From Aspiration to Experience
Post-War to Late 20th Century
Luxury expanded from a
product to an experience
Brands introducing "masstige" (mass prestige) lines
luxury became more widely consumed
through accessible products (like lipstick or perfume), allowing a broader audience to participate in the dream
21st Century
Contemporary luxury is characterized by a marked shift toward the experiential and the ethical
The ultimate status symbols are exclusive travel, bespoke services, and wellness
The ultimate luxury is often no longer a visible object, but
the quality of experience it affords