Luxury. That single word conjures up a thousand mental images. Beautiful homes, beautiful people, exotic places and other wonderful things. We as a species have always desired greater luxury, and many wonderful inventions were created to give us that very luxury. Even something as commonplace as chocolate was originally a bitter, gritty drink. It is through years of innovation and evolution that it has become the smooth, luxurious treat that we eat today.
To bring us our luxuries, thousands of brilliant men and women have worked tirelessly to create masterpieces, works that are at the pinnacle of both form and function. This is what luxury brands sell, this perfect melding of usefulness and beauty.
So what defines a luxury brand? The fact is, there are three main factors that set luxury brands above all others.
- A High Price – Compared to other brands, luxury brands usually charge significantly higher prices. These high prices are usually backed up by superior craftsmanship as well as materials, resulting in better performance.
- A Limited Supply – The supply of goods from luxury brands is usually scarce, usually due to the increased difficulty of mass-producing highly customized items.
- Celebrity Endorsement – The goods must be used regularly and publicly by the highest echelons of society. This differentiates luxury goods and makes them more appealing to their target market.
Other methods of differentiation used by luxury brands are special packaging and personalization. These often serve to enhance the sense of exclusivity.
Top Brands in Five Segments
Now that we have understood what sets luxury brands apart, let us look at some of the most exclusive brands in the world. These brands stand at the top of their respective fields – let us see what took them there.
Porsche – Vehicles
The epitome of luxury driving experiences, Porsche cars are for the true car connoisseur. Built for speed and comfort, these vehicles transform a simple drive into a luxurious experience unlike any other.
The company that would become Porsche was founded in 1931. Their first big break came when they received a contract from the German government to design a car for the masses, the Volkswagen. This led to the creation of the Volkswagen Beetle, one of the most successful car designs of all time. Over the course of the next few decades, Porsche shifted away from designing cars and into manufacturing them. They acquired a lot of fame thanks to their race cars, creating well-balanced cars that performed admirably on the race track.
Due to their incredibly precise manufacturing, these vehicles are some of the most durable ones on the market. A Canadian study showed that 97.5% of all Porsche cars sold in the last 25 years are still on the road. Porsche has lived up to its reputation, and has become one of the most prestigious and luxurious car brands in the world.
Gucci – Clothing
Founded in 1921 by Guccio Gucci, this ultra famous brand produces handbags, shoes, makeup, fragrances, and home decor. Based in Italy, this iconic brand is considered one of the greatest clothing brands ever.
Known across the world, the term “Gucci” has become a compliment in and of itself, with many people using phrases like “That’s so Gucci” to describe particularly pleasing products. Gucci was acquired by the brand Kering in 1995. Since then, the brand has grown explosively, with sales crossing 9.6 Billion Euros in 2019. When it comes to clothing, Gucci is undoubtedly the finest luxury brand in the world.
Cartier – Watches
Watches are a product unlike any other. Each timepiece requires careful human labor, watchmakers slowly and skillfully setting all the wheels and cogs together. Among these incredible craftsmen, one name has reigned supreme, that of Cartier. Founded in 1847 by Louis-Francois Cartier, this humble watch company was propelled to worldwide fame by his children. Over the course of several years, the brand expanded into jewelry as well, and has been ranked by Forbes as the most prestigious jewelry manufacturer in the world.
Since its inception, Cartier has created some of the most famous and iconic watches in the world. These watches range from the Santos Wristwatch, worn by acclaimed aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, to the Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch, worn by Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge. Cartier has acquired legendary status in the world of watches, and has become synonymous with the best watch possible.
Tiffany – Jewelry
Beautiful and delicate necklaces, large and bold earrings, slim and elegant rings, no matter your taste, Tiffany’s has them all! This jewelry brand is one of the most beloved brands in the world, with everyone from grandmothers to teenagers enjoying and flaunting their products. Tiffany’s targets young people heavily, putting themselves forward as a hip and fashionable brand. They are best known for their wonderful diamond and sterling silver jewelry, giving their customers sleek and elegant accessories.
The most iconic jewelry brand in the world, Tiffany & Co. was founded by Charles Lewis Tiffany in 1837. At the time of its opening, Tiffany’s was a high-end stationery store, but under the guidance of Mr Tiffany’s children, it expanded into jewelry and grew ever since.
Tiffany’s has built up their reputation over many years, slowly growing into the world-spanning company we see today.
Lancome – Beauty Products
Built for beauty, the products of this company serve to give all their users a wave of confidence and beauty unlike any other. A subsidiary of L’Oréal, Lancome is one of the finest purveyors of luxury perfumes and cosmetics in the world. Founded in 1935, this luxury brand has become synonymous with incredible perfumes. They started out as a perfume house before expanding onto other cosmetics. As a result, their company’s symbol is that of a beautiful golden rose.
They are adept at social media marketing, firmly cementing them as one of the most technologically forward companies in the fashion and luxury world.
The world of fashion and luxury is vast, and the brands in this list are some of the best in the world. If you want a taste of true luxury, give them a try. You won’t regret it.
