Luxury in You (Article)

LUXURY IN YOU

BY ZOFIA KABALO

Many of us dream of luxury. We look around and see white townhouses, towering over us. We pass Selfridges, with models sporting the newest collection of a luxury brand, a constant reminder that we are not a part of that world. Although the vast majority of Gen Y, Z, and Alpha, the less ‘well off’ generations, seem to adopt a more fluid approach to fashion as they may do with many aspects of their lives, many still see luxury as something to strive for. Luckily, when the student budget doesn’t allow us to spoil ourselves with a Birkin bag, there are other ways of achieving the feeling of luxury. "Fake it till you make it they say”- how about faking our way to “the top”?

Crashing a Chanel catwalk, posing as a high-end model on the streets, pretending you are a celebrity- all great viral sensations, but not all of us are extroverted adrenaline seekers. There are ways to incorporate luxury in your life without breaking the bank nor going to such extremes. Luxury is more than a sky-high price tag- it’s about how dressing up makes us feel, how it makes us walk with our heads held just a little higher. People buy luxury goods for a variety of reasons; nearly all of them are related to the strong emotions that we attach to the purchase of expensive material goods. What if we detach the price tag and the unavailability of the item to the general public, and focus on other elements about that specific piece of clothing that makes us want it? Many of the most popular luxurious items are rather simple, whether it is the cut or the material that gives it a sleek and polished look, making it look chic. With a bit of styling, nearly everyone has at least a couple of items in their own closet that will be sufficient to recreate a “casual expensive” look. A simple black dress paired with a statement piece of jewellery is enough to earn a double take on the street. Many luxurious brands have a staple look, like Chanel with their tweed jackets and skirts.The ability to analyse current trends within those high-end brands and trying to find alternatives to fit in with the brand fanatics can be an exciting and educating experience. Research a brand that catches your eye, single out silhouettes that recur the most, and equipped with that knowledge head over to local shops in search of alternatives. It is not about completely changing your style to appeal to what is considered a rich look, it’ is about looking more consciously at your clothes.

Photography-Sunny Fung, Xiuli Hu , Dastan Raof Models- Carmen Chang , Nina Anna Kapalkova Stylists- Eugēnie Sērē, Murph Zhang,Marie Pora

People might associate luxury not only with what hype-beasts are sporting these days, but with traditions and vintage pieces that bring nostalgia and historic value to the table. With the overwhelming speed that current trends are changing from season to season, from brand to brand, one might want to escape this whirlwind and resort to safe choices that offer timeless chic looks. For that, it’s worth looking into what pieces, created by the powerhouses of fashion, lasted the standard of time, and are considered a staple in every classy household. A pearl necklace, a tux, pair of sheer gloves, all of those could transport you back in time, to times of ballrooms and waltzes, where being a part of high society was the sole objective for so many.

Sporting luxury isn’t a necessity anymore. Since generations have been becoming more and more focused on individuality and expression of your own style, high-end brands might start slowly going out of style. However, for now, many still crave the feeling that luxurious items give their owners. In the age where all the necessary information is within our reach, a little research into what others might perceive as luxurious can give us a head start into creating an illusion of the world that so many dream to live in.