Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

The word "luxury" has almost lost its meaning. Once used to describe genuinely prestigious products or places, the concept of luxury has been hijacked by a multitude of aspiring or overpriced commodities, from foot spas to chocolates. So what is real luxury? Which are the genuine luxury brands, and how have they reacted to the rise of the "mass luxury" sector? What strategies do they use to lift themselves into the realm of the truly elite? Who are their customers - and what kind of lives do these remarkable people lead? How do luxury brands attract and retain them? And above all, where can the industry turn now excess is out of fashion? With wit, accuracy and insatiable curiosity, Luxury World takes us on a voyage around the luxury universe, slipping behind the facades of the world's most sophisticated businesses to demonstrate how they function. Among other destinations, Luxury World visits Swiss watchmakers, the Champagne houses of France, the diamond district of Antwerp, the luxury enclave of Monte Carlo, the discreet ateliers of the last craftsmen and a host of brands in Paris - the self-proclaimed capital of elegance. Along the way, he uncovers the true face of today's luxury industry.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Acknowledgements (p. xi)
• Introduction: The evolution of luxury (p. 1)
• 1 The dream weavers (p. 11)
• The road to ready-to-wear (p. 12)
• The YSL legacy (p. 16)
• The future of couture (p. 19)
• 2 The last artisans (p. 25)
• The other side of Florence (p. 26)
• The shoemaker's apprentice (p. 29)
• 3 Romancing the stones (p. 33)
• Branding Antwerp (p. 34)
• Clarity and conflict (p. 38)
• Diamonds by design (p. 42)
• A tale of two cities (p. 46)
• 4 Watching the watchmakers (p. 51)
• Selling time (p. 56)
• 5 Auto attraction (p. 61)
• The Bentley Boys (p. 62)
• Marketing to the 'autocracy' (p. 65)
• 6 Fractional high-flyers (p. 69)
• A slice of the good life (p. 70)
• Jets for less (p. 72)
• 7 Super yachts (p. 77)
• A passion for the sea (p. 78)
• How to show boats (p. 82)
• 8 Haute property (p. 85)
• The business of villas (p. 87)
• 9 Deluxe nomads (p. 91)
• Monte Carlo: the brand (p. 92)
• Hotel world (p. 97)
• Luxury travel services (p. 102)
• 10 Art brands (p. 105)
• Branded collectors (p. 106)
• Branded artists (p. 111)
• Galleries, auctions and fairs (p. 114)
• The sale of the century (p. 119)
• 11 Upscale retail (p. 123)
• Serving VIP customers (p. 125)
• Springtime for Printemps (p. 129)
• 12 Digital luxury (p. 135)
• Luxe meets web: a hesitant romance (p. 137)
• The Vuitton case (p. 140)
• 13 By royal appointment (p. 145)
• Royal warrants worldwide (p. 147)
• Fabergé: jeweller to the tsars (p. 150)
• 14 In champagne country (p. 153)
• A name to reckon with (p. 156)
• Gold beneath the street (p. 158)
• Kings, tsars and rap stars (p. 161)
• Champagne bubbles over (p. 166)
• 15 The wines of paradise (p. 169)
• Vintage branding (p. 172)
• The reign of terroir (p. 176)
• 16 The chef (p. 181)
• A brand named Alain Ducasse (p. 182)
• 17 Well-being (p. 189)
• Spas: The final frontier (p. 191)
• Rehab (p. 194)
• 18 The knowledge economy (p. 199)
• Education brands (p. 202)
• 19 The gift of time (p. 207)
• Your wish is their command (p. 208)
• 20 Sustainable luxury (p. 213)
• Slow fashion (p. 215)
• Slow living (p. 217)
• Conclusion: The rehabilitation of luxury (p. 221)
• Treasuring (p. 222)
• Social luxury (p. 223)
• Analogue snobbery (p. 224)
• Disruption from Asia (p. 225)
• Guilt-free luxury (p. 227)
• References (p. 229)
• Index (p. 231)