This week, Helen and Paul dive into the fascinating concept of brand narcissism and how it can negatively impact luxury brands. They chat about how some brands seem to get caught up in their own image and status, almost like they're gazing at themselves in a mirror all day. This obsession often comes with a worrying lack of empathy towards their customers.

They can't ignore the growing importance of inclusivity and how the expectations of luxury consumers are evolving. People want to feel valued and appreciated when they indulge in luxury, not superior or excluded. A luxury experience should be about making customers feel wanted and cherished.

Helen and Paul also explore the vital role of sales associates in crafting these luxury experiences. It's all about creating moments that resonate with customers, and the fallout when brands fail to do so can be significant.

Their discussion moves on to how some brands prioritise exclusivity and elitism, which can lead to a negative experience for customers. But it's not all doom and gloom. They share some personal stories and examples of brands that have struck the right balance between maintaining a healthy sense of self and being inclusive.

They touch on the difference between heritage brands and luxury brands, underscoring how crucial it is to offer a memorable and inclusive experience for everyone. So, join them as they unravel the layers of brand narcissism and discover what truly makes a luxury brand shine.

In this episode, Helen and Paul discuss the concept of affordable luxury. They explore whether luxury can truly be affordable or if affordability compromises the exclusivity and scarcity that define luxury.

They examine examples of brands like Michael Kors and Ted Baker that started as luxury brands but became more accessible over time. They also discuss the impact of collaborations between luxury designers and high street brands.

The conversation touches on the importance of price perception and the sacrifices that may be made when luxury becomes more affordable. The conversation explores the concept of affordable luxury and its implications. It discusses the idea that affordable luxury is a contradiction because true luxury is exclusive and scarce.

The hosts share their experiences with luxury brands and highlight the importance of quality, craftsmanship, and the relationship between the brand and the consumer. They criticize brands that use fake scarcity and fake exclusivity as marketing tactics, as well as those that try to be inclusive without understanding the true essence of luxury.

The conversation concludes that affordable luxury is not a valid concept and that luxury should be reserved for those who appreciate and value it.

The conversation explores the subjective experience of luxury and how it varies across cultures and individuals. Different people have different views on what constitutes luxury, and it can change over time as well. The discussion touches on the concept of scarcity and how it makes things more attractive. The hosts also discuss the idea of luxury in travel, such as business class versus first class. They explore the notion of luxury in food, highlighting how certain foods like caviar and lobster were not always considered luxury items. The conversation also delves into the cultural differences in the perception of luxury, such as the minimalist aesthetic in Japan compared to the opulence in France. The hosts discuss the influence of branding, craftsmanship, and rarity in determining the perception of luxury. In this conversation, Helen and Paul discuss the concept of luxury and how it varies from person to person and culture to culture. They explore the role of luxury brands in shaping perceptions of luxury and the association of luxury with identity. They also touch on the influence of nostalgia and memory in the perception of luxury. The conversation ends with a discussion on the difference between exploitation and capitalization in brand partnerships. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:15 The Subjective Experience of Luxury 01:17 Luxury in Travel 04:21 Luxury in Cars 07:07 Luxury in Food 12:59 Cultural Perspectives on Luxury 19:34 Luxury in Fashion and Brands 27:38 Growing Up with Different Brands 28:34 Attachment Theory and Luxury 31:38 The Power of Scent and Memory 34:52 Personal Stories of Scent 41:56 Cultural Differences in Luxury 44:48 Luxury Watch Brands and Identity 47:56 People as Symbols of Luxury 50:14 Exploitation vs. Capitalization 52:10 Conclusion and Next Week's Topic