Vodka and Caviar

Vodka and Caviar is the name of my latest purchase from OPI, which is oddly enough neither the silver/white of vodka, nor the blueish black of caviar, but an indulgent shade of dark red. Regardless, it was the image of black, white, and a little bit of silver that complement such a strong red that I couldn't forget. And more so, the image of luxury that one could associate with vodka&caviar.

So it is in this frame of mind that I recall an article that I wrote not so long ago: Luxury goods an investment in the future.

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A limited edition fragrance, time, a gold watch with diamonds, a hug from a loved one, an exotic bag, a smile, an American Express Centurion credit card, a bubble bath, a weekend at the Plaza Athenee Paris, or the designer dress of the moment. All of these may be, at some point, the definition of luxury. Some have defined luxury as "functional art applied to things" (Jean-Noel Kapferer), others consider it to be the "hand's impact" on quality (Stanley Marcus), while others see luxury as a "necessity that begins where necessity ends." (Coco Chanel)

Personally, I believe that luxury is the story behind the product, namely all those affective and emotional qualities that we attribute to the product, and that surpass its rational and practical qualities, such as functionality, quality, origin, manufacturing. However, regardless of which definition you prefer, the desirability of luxury items is indisputable because of the quality, rarity, exclusivity, and experience that they can provide. Moreover, regardless of current economic climate, luxury objects possess a quality that makes them even more undisputed desirability: the value of most of these products is not lost in time, and in many cases it increases considerably, making luxury items more than a whim, but more of a smart investment.

An investment in your image, that is certain, but how could a fad turn into a financial investment? Very simply, as I said above, through the value it holds. And when I mention "value" I do not mean money, but also to forecasted performance and longevity. The only case in which the purchase of a product would not provide a good investment is the one in which luxury would be considered, erroneously, synonymous only with a high price. A high price is not a certitude unless it is accompanied, and supported, by excellent quality, both aesthetic and manufacturing quality. Of course, even in the latter case, the purchase of a luxury product does not ensure a safe investment because the quality, rarity, and authenticity of the producer (origin, tradition, integrity) enter into the mix that creates the perfect luxury product as investment.

And if we set our sights on a luxury items from the Fashion and Accessories section, once all the above mentioned factors have been taken into account and the value has been estimated, the only question remaining is: contemporary or vintage?

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Continue reading the pros and cons of vintage vs contemporary luxury products as a good investment (in Romanian only though..) here, or just tell me: would you buy a product for its future value? And if so, would it be contemporary, or vintage?

Thank you for taking the time to read, and answer this, I'm really looking forward to reading your thoughts!

Photo via One Man's Case ♥

Zara Bubble Dress  /  N.Peal Cashmere Cardigan

Vanessa Bruno Belt  /  Generic Doughnut Necklace

Mulberry Bag  /  Wolford Tights  /  H&M Shoes

Love.