This Week's Obsession: 2025 is the Year of More!

As we bid farewell to 2024, many are celebrating its conclusion for many reasons, some political, some economical, some just plain tired and bored with the status quo. We believe that in order for 2025 to improve we must shift our mindset away from a scarcity mentality and embrace an abundance mentality. This represents the foundation of the More business model. We believe that in order for 2025 to improve we must shift our mindset way from a scarcity mentality and embrace an abundance mentality. This represents the foundation of the More business model.

As a refresher, an abundance mindset is the belief that there are enough resources, opportunities, and success to go around, and it contrasts with a scarcity mindset, which views life as a zero-sum game. Cultivating an abundance mindset can significantly improve various aspects of life by fostering positivity, resilience, and a focus on growth. Here's how:

Improving Mental Well-being

Research has shown that individuals with an abundance mindset experience lower levels of stress and anxiety. By focusing on abundance rather than scarcity, they are able to cultivate a sense of gratitude and contentment, leading to improved mental well-being.

Enhancing Relationships

When you approach relationships with an abundance mindset, you are more likely to foster positive and meaningful connections. By believing that there is an abundance of love, support, and opportunities for connection, you can create stronger bonds with others.

Boosting Success and Achievement

Individuals with an abundance mindset are more likely to take risks and pursue their goals with confidence. This mindset shift can lead to greater success and achievement in both personal and professional endeavors. Studies have shown that those with an abundance mindset are more resilient in the face of challenges and setbacks.

Cultivating a Growth Mindset

An abundance mindset is closely linked to a growth mindset, which is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work. By embracing an abundance mindset, you are more open to learning, growth, and self-improvement.

Overall, adopting an abundance mindset can have a profound impact on your life. By shifting your perspective from scarcity to abundance, you can experience greater happiness, success, and fulfilment. So why not start cultivating an abundance mindset today?

How to Cultivate an Abundance Mindset:

Practice Gratitude: Regularly reflect on what you’re thankful for to shift your focus from scarcity to abundance.
Reframe Negative Thoughts: Replace limiting beliefs with affirmations of possibility and growth.
Celebrate Others’ Success: Recognise and support the achievements of others to reinforce the belief that success is shared, not limited.
Focus on Growth: Embrace challenges and view setbacks as opportunities to learn and improve.
Surround Yourself with Positivity: Engage with people and environments that inspire an abundance mindset.
End Conspicuous Consumption: Shifting focus away from material possessions and toward meaningful experiences, relationships, and personal growth can lead to greater and more lasting fulfilment.

In summary, an abundance mindset can transform your approach to life, helping you achieve greater happiness, resilience, and success. By focusing on possibilities rather than limitations, you open yourself up to a world of opportunities and build a foundation for a fulfilling and empowered life.

We believe that applying an abundance mindset to how we consumer goods can make a huge difference to the world. It can empower us to move away from conspicuous consumption and to enduring luxury. Investing in items we love and want to wear for many years to come. By adopting a sharing model, like More Luxury Club's, we can have the items we love without the high cost and environmental impact. And it can bring joy from being part of a community of like-minded individuals. We're so sure this is how the world with consume high-quality goods in the future, we are curious what's stopping people.

Many times we hear reasons such as "I like to own my things.", "I am worried about not being able to have it when I want it." or simply, "I don't like sharing." We believe these people simply haven't shifted the mindset yet. Why pay thousands of dollars or GBP for items I don't use frequently? Imagine having 80% of the purchase price to use on other things such as investing or taking a trip.

While More is a financially savvy way to co-own your luxury goods, you also benefit from having someone else care for your items, ensuring they are always in pristine condition - they last longer and will resale at a higher value.

By joining a More's community you can learn more about which goods are the best for resale value, which items are trending and which are classics to invest in. You can share your items with like-minded individuals who love what you love and are committed to caring and sharing these valuable assets.

We suggest 2025 is the year to embrace an abundance mindset! This year rather than purchasing a new designer bag, you won't wear frequently, try co-ownership. We guarantee it will create a world of possibilities.

2024 Was Not a Great Year for Luxury

According to The Economist, there were to be fewer designer handbags and high heels under Christmas trees this year. Spending on personal luxury goods is set to fall by 2% in 2024, according to Bain, a consultancy. Sales of fashion and leather items at LVMH, the world’s biggest luxury conglomerate, have tumbled. Kering, which owns Gucci, has issued a string of profit warnings. Anyone who receives Versace goodies from Santa may feel a little less flattered than usual. The luxury brand is selling 40% of its products at a discount.

The prices of other luxury assets have tanked as well. An investor who put their money into art at the beginning of 2024 lost on average 16% by the end of November, according to the All Art index, a measure assembled by Art Market Research, which tracks sales at auction. Those who invested in fine wine lost about 11% over the same period, according to the Liv-ex Fine Wine 1000 gauge—the closest thing to a global benchmark for the wine industry. The price of diamonds has dropped by almost 20% and those of collectible cars are more or less flat.

These travails follow an extraordinary rise for the luxury industry. For two decades it expanded smartly as brands reached new customers. In 2023 global sales of personal luxury goods hit $400bn, up from a little over $100bn in 2000, according to Bain. Over the past 12 months, however, their value has fallen by more than a tenth and growth has reversed.

Two major trends fuelled the growth of the luxury business. The first was globalisation. Brands that began life catering to Western elites in places such as London, New York and Paris increasingly turned eastwards for growth—and to China in particular, for good reason. In 2000 there were 39,000 dollar millionaires in the country, according to UBS, a bank; by 2023 there were 6m, more than anywhere else other than America, and twice as many as in Britain, the third-biggest home for millionaires. The Chinese market made up around 15% of global personal-luxury-goods sales in 2023, about five times its share in 2000.

The second trend propelling growth was what industry types call “democratisation”. To serve the merely affluent, as well as the stinking rich, luxury brands began selling a selection of items at less lofty prices. Gucci, for example, started peddling white socks, which will set you back a mere $200 (a steal compared with a $3,600 Gucci handbag). Brands from Armani to Valentino launched cheaper sub-brands, often focused on more casual attire. “Until 30 years ago, luxury had no adjectives attached to it,” says Brunello Cucinelli, who runs the luxury brand that carries his name. The industry now talks of “aspirational” or “accessible” luxury. According to BCG, another consultancy, shoppers who spend €2,000 ($2,100) or less a year on luxury goods and services—a trifling sum by industry standards—account for nearly two-thirds of total sales.

According to a report by Bain & Company, the personal luxury goods market is experiencing a slowdown for the first time since the 2009 Great Recession. The report indicates that around 50 million consumers have either stopped buying luxury items or have been priced out due to significant price increases without corresponding enhancements in innovation, service, or quality.

Those two engines of growth are now sputtering. Middle-class shoppers in the West have been squeezed by high interest rates and cooling job markets, leaving them with less to splurge on the finer things in life. Luxury spending in China has been crimped by the combination of a housing crisis and a government campaign against showy displays of wealth. Rather than monogrammed totes, Chinese youngsters now carry their belongings around in plastic bags to flaunt their frugality.

Hefty price increases over the past few years have also irked shoppers. HSBC, another bank, reckons luxury products are 54% more expensive today than in 2019. A mid-sized Dior Lady Bag now costs €5,900, up from €3,200 in 2016. Andrea Guerra, the boss of Prada, another luxury brand that raised prices sharply in the past few years, now describes the increases as “a blatant mistake”.

For those of us who don't fit into the Ultra Rich category, but are more aspirational or value driven, it's a great time to consider consuming luxury goods in a more affordable and sustainable way. At More Luxury Club, we believe that trading up to higher quality goods is a smart move as these items will last longer. We also believe that co-owning these items will be the future of how high quality items will be consumed in the future. If you're going to wear it all the time, then you should buy it, wear it and invest in keeping it in good condition. If you only need it once, rent it. For everything else there is co-ownership. When you buy a share in a designer handbag from More, you have access 10 weeks a year. The best part is you only pay 20% of the retail, so that other 80% can be used for some many other purposes--investing, traveling, education....

The Top Bags from the 12 Days of More

During the 12 Days of More, we featured 12 different designer brands and their most popular offerings for the year. Our community hands down chose Gucci as number one designer, with the GG Marmont Small Shoulder bag as the most popular bag of the season - either in Rosso Ancora or Black.

Another Gucci favourite was the Ophidia Mini Bucket bag in beige and white with a GG Supreme canvas base.

Other outstanding picks were the Miu Miu Ivy Duchess bag in either gold or black beading.

And finally, a Fendi Peekaboo ISSEU Petite suede bag with FF in iridescent crystals and studs. We have to admit this was one of our favourites.

We've added these beauties and other favourites to 2025's first voting curation. Here you'll find bags some new entrants to the market such as Phoebe Philo, who has launched her own brand after creating some of the most iconic accessories in her time as creative director at french houses Chloé and Celine. As expected, the bags are to die for, and we have already selected this year's hero bag.

So while you have 30 days to vote, why wait?

Love It or 'Hate' It - - Cowboy Core

Maybe it's inspired by spending hours watching Yellowstone with Kevin Costner or perhaps Cowboy core had a moment with Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter look and Louis Vuitton’s menswear collection. Cowboy Core is a trend inspired by Western and Americana aesthetics, often incorporating rustic and rugged elements into fashion. For designer handbags, this style typically includes features such as fringe, leather tooling, studs, and Western-style hardware.

While we enjoyed our time hanging out with the Duttons at Yellowstone Ranch, we are taking a pass on the Cowboy Core beyond perhaps attending a rodeo on a visit to Texas.

For those who are fans, here are Top 10 examples of Cowboy Core-inspired designer handbags.

1. Chloe "Edith Saddle Bag"

Features: A saddle-style silhouette with a rugged leather finish, whipstitch detailing, and brass hardware.
Western Element: The bag's shape and details are reminiscent of traditional saddlebags used in horseback riding.

2. Saint Laurent "Fringe Bag"

Features: Suede construction, long fringe accents, and a tonal YSL logo.
Western Element: The use of suede and fringe draws directly from Western cowboy gear.

3. Isabel Marant "Botsy Bag"

Features: A crescent shape, embossed leather, and braided strap details.
Western Element: The embossed leather patterns resemble traditional cowboy boot designs.

4. Prada "Fringed Hobo Bag"

Features: Smooth leather with fringe details and stud accents.
Western Element: Fringe and studs are quintessential cowboy-inspired elements.

5. Balmain "B-Buzz Suede Fringe Bag"

Features: A boxy silhouette in suede with fringe and gold hardware.
Western Element: The suede material and fringe detail create a cowboy-like vibe.

6. Ralph Lauren "RL50 Saddle Bag"

Features: Inspired by equestrian themes, this bag uses rich leather with minimalist details.
Western Element: Saddle-inspired shape and craftsmanship.

7. Gucci "Dionysus Suede Mini Bag"

Features: Suede fabric, a horseshoe-shaped buckle, and a structured design.
Western Element: The horseshoe buckle adds a nod to cowboy culture and equestrian themes.

8. Coach "Willow Saddle Bag with Rivets"

Features: Pebbled leather with stud detailing and a saddle-style design.
Western Element: The rivet detailing and saddle shape are directly influenced by cowboy tack.

9. Loewe "Gate Bag"

Features: Smooth leather with a belt-like closure and stitching details.
Western Element: The belt-style closure and rustic stitching echo cowboy belts and saddles.

10. Miu Miu "Fringed Hobo Bag"

Features: A hobo design in leather or suede with long fringe.
Western Element: Fringe and a relaxed silhouette align with the Cowboy Core aesthetic.