Unabashed Luxury

The premiere of 90210 last night got CC thinking about luxury. Fashion is always about luxury, but there are

certain items that connote a life of privilege in an almost visceral way.
Whether we covet them from afar or actually get to enjoy them, they are select and magnificent.

Above: another teenager sporting Chanel . . . AnnaLynne McCord as Naomi Clark, courtesy cwtv.com.
The Accoutrements:
Above: Aina Gassé fur robe,
via Vogue Italia
Right: Jimmy Choo Ramona crocodile bags, $14,000.00
Absurdly expensive jewels, like the Tony Duquette aquamarine, amethyst, peridot and 18K gold bracelet pictured at right, are a matter of course.

$36,500.00
This and previoues at Bergdorf Goodman.
Bespoke moisturizers . . .

La Mer

16.5 ounces for $1390.00
Lavish Homes
At left, Michael Schiable's Lake Chapala Retreat in Mexico, via architecturaldigest.com

In addition to Frette linens, you'll need an Adrienne Landau fox fur throw, at bergdorfgoodman.com, to toss on your Chair Couture chaise.
Hermés saddle (for your horse, natch) Photo of saddle masters by Todd Eberle for Vanity Fair
Haute Cuisine

There is a certain class of comestibles (and the manner in which they are served) that connotes luxury:
Petrossian Caviar (beluga, not sevruga!)
served on bone china like this Papillon dinnerware, available at Neiman Marcus
Serendipity’s $25,000.00 Frozen Haute Chocolate.

Photo via nytimes.com.

Jet Set Luxury:

Above: A jealousy-inducing jetway editorial image from cosmopolitan.com.

Right: Cameron Diaz's airport chic, via instyle.com

Below: Leslie Mann atop Louis Vuitton luggage, courtesy Vanity Fair

The Michael Kors Fall runway, courtesy style.com
Spa Weekends at Canyon Ranch or a week at Hotel de la Paix Siem Reap, Cambodia
Luxe to CC? A front row seat at the couture! Photo via style.com.
CC will not dwell here on the dwindling economy, but rather draw your attention to the assertion by Dana Thomas in Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Lustre that craftsmanship has faltered as consumer demand for luxury items has skyrocket. A couple of queries: Has the quality of luxe goods suffered now that production has shifted from small-scale, handcrafting to corporate megaproduction? What evidence have you seen of the decline of true luxury? Why is it that the most luxurious items seem to be the most controversial? How can CC dress in ermine and pearls when it’s so animal-unfriendly? With the rising cost of jet fuel [even Diddy says he can’t afford to fill up his G5!] and the harm that gas-guzzlers are doing to the environment, should every rich bitch trade in her SST and her SUV for a SmartCar?
What does luxury mean to you?

Is now the time to back away from lavish items like this gorgeous Chloé purse? Photo via vogue.fr.