THE NEW MOLD OF LUXURY

At a time when tranquility and order were scarce, the essence of luxury was reinvented. It was forged into a new mold that fits the aspirations and demands of the people

Is it a Chanel caviar handbag? A Brunello Cucinelli shearling coat? A pair of Manolo Blahnik? Or a night at the Mark Hotel in Manhattan, New York? What exactly is luxury, especially after the height of a global health crisis?

For generations, the notion of luxury has always been thought of as rare and one that indulges in self-pleasure. With its nature being subjective and fleeting, defining contemporary

luxury seemed futile until the great equalizer happened, the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the height of the health crisis, everyone wanted the same thing: the peace and familiarity that came with their lives before the never-ending lockdowns and restrictions, perpetual anxiety attacks, and the constant reporting of infection rates and death tolls.

The crisis did more than expose the fragility of the healthcare systems across the globe; it also opened the eyes of many to how crucial it is to maintain one’s health and wellness. As people became more aware of what better living entails and how priceless it is, health and wellness soon became a currency.

However, this blooming notion of luxury is not completely overlooking retail goods. Some people made shopping their way of coping with the turmoil caused by the pandemic—retail therapy became the key to maintaining their personal wellness.

In general, the mold of luxury started changing. Now, personal wellness does not simply mean balanced diets and regular exercise. It is something beyond that. It has evolved into a state of being that considers all areas of health: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

HEIGHTENED DEMAND