9 January 2008
Trend
Secret Bling
The world in 2008 will be on two extremes, say the futurologists.
On the one hand, the super-rich in developing places like China, Russia, Brazil, India, South Africa and even Turkey will spend, spend, spend their wealth on more and more outrageous things.
Think Hastens Vividus beds ($50,000), Prince Alwaleed’s customised Airbus 380 ($320 million plus more to do the interior), 20ltd.com (a website selling only 20 each of limited edition things), Chanel monogrammed bicycle, or the world’s most exclusive online community, aSmallWorld.net, where the talk is more in lines of ‘how to buy a fine diamond’.
On the other end of extreme is ridiculously premiumed everyday things like luxurious versions of toilet paper and bottled water Bling H20.
So, what’s the middle way then? According to futurologists Futuressence, a backlash’s already begun with people defining status and exclusivity with objects or things that only those in the know will know and appreciate its value. A hidden monogram, the number of views on your Flickr page, the £5 Anya Hindmarch limited bag for charity ‘I’m not a plastic bag’ that reached cult status overnight from Britain to Barbados, and unfortunately sold at ten times that price the next day on Ebay.
What’s got into you all, people?
See these and other 2008+ trends in Maison Francaise February issue.
On the one hand, the super-rich in developing places like China, Russia, Brazil, India, South Africa and even Turkey will spend, spend, spend their wealth on more and more outrageous things.
Think Hastens Vividus beds ($50,000), Prince Alwaleed’s customised Airbus 380 ($320 million plus more to do the interior), 20ltd.com (a website selling only 20 each of limited edition things), Chanel monogrammed bicycle, or the world’s most exclusive online community, aSmallWorld.net, where the talk is more in lines of ‘how to buy a fine diamond’.
On the other end of extreme is ridiculously premiumed everyday things like luxurious versions of toilet paper and bottled water Bling H20.
So, what’s the middle way then? According to futurologists Futuressence, a backlash’s already begun with people defining status and exclusivity with objects or things that only those in the know will know and appreciate its value. A hidden monogram, the number of views on your Flickr page, the £5 Anya Hindmarch limited bag for charity ‘I’m not a plastic bag’ that reached cult status overnight from Britain to Barbados, and unfortunately sold at ten times that price the next day on Ebay.
What’s got into you all, people?
See these and other 2008+ trends in Maison Francaise February issue.
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