This Week's Obsession: Enduring Luxury

Designed obsolescence (or planned obsolescence) refers to the practice where products are intentionally designed to have a limited lifespan, prompting consumers to replace them sooner than necessary. While it can drive sales and profits for businesses, it poses significant ethical, environmental, and economic problems.

While early instances of planned obsolescence were seen in industries like lighting and automobiles, it became widespread during the mid-20th century and has evolved alongside technological and cultural shifts. Today, it remains a contentious practice, with growing consumer awareness and regulatory pressures pushing for sustainability and longer-lasting products.

Fashion became one of these fast moving industries that created perceived obsolescence as Seasonal trends and rapidly changing styles began encouraging consumers to buy new clothing even when their existing wardrobes were functional. Then came fast fashion and conspicuous consumption. 

Moving away from fast fashion and conspicuous consumption toward an era of enduring luxury would mark a profound cultural, economic, and environmental shift. This return to valuing craftsmanship, quality, and sustainability over excess and trends could create a more thoughtful and responsible consumer landscape. Here's how this might look:

1. Redefining Luxury

• Timeless Design: Luxury brands would focus on creating pieces that transcend trends, emphasising timeless aesthetics, versatility, and functionality.
• Craftsmanship as the Core: The emphasis would shift to artisanal quality and impeccable craftsmanship, with products made to last for decades or even generations.
• Heritage Revival: Brands would celebrate their histories and traditions, reinforcing the narrative that luxury is about legacy and enduring value.

2. Sustainable Practices

• Slow Fashion Movement: Consumers and brands would adopt the principles of slow fashion, focusing on fewer, higher-quality items rather than disposable trends.
• Circular Economy: Luxury brands could implement systems for repair, resale, and recycling, ensuring their products have extended life cycles.  More Luxury Club, is the first circular model to do just that, so items stay in pristine condition - extending their lifespan and retaining their value.
• Ethical Materials: Sustainable sourcing of raw materials, such as organic textiles and responsibly harvested leather, would become the norm.

3. Changing Consumer Behaviour

• Mindful Consumption: Consumers would shift from impulse buying to thoughtful purchasing, choosing quality over quantity.
• Emotional Value: Products would hold sentimental or symbolic value, becoming treasured possessions rather than transient items.
• Investment Perspective: Shoppers would view luxury items as investments, appreciating their durability, functionality, and potential resale value.

4. Social and Cultural Shifts

• Status Through Sustainability: Instead of flaunting excess, social status might be signaled through sustainability, ethical choices, and thoughtful consumption.
• Appreciation for Repair and Care: Repairing, maintaining, and upcycling luxury items would become fashionable, reinforcing the value of longevity.
• Less Focus on Trends: Social media and influencers might champion enduring style and ethical consumption rather than fast-changing trends.

5. Revival of Local Artisanship

• Support for Small Businesses: Local craftspeople and small-scale luxury producers would gain prominence, offering unique, handcrafted items.
• Revitalization of Traditions: Enduring luxury would celebrate cultural heritage and traditional techniques, integrating them into modern designs.

6. Economic Implications

• Premium Pricing with Purpose: Higher price tags would reflect the quality, craftsmanship, and ethical production processes, encouraging more conscious spending.
• Shift in Employment: The focus on artisanal craftsmanship could create jobs in skilled trades, revitalizing industries that prioritize quality over speed.

7. Environmental Benefits

• Reduction in Waste: Fewer, better-quality items would significantly decrease the volume of textile and accessory waste.
• Lower Carbon Footprint: Slower production cycles and sustainable practices would reduce the environmental impact of the luxury industry.
• Biodiversity Protection: Ethical sourcing would minimize harm to ecosystems and wildlife.

8. Consumer Experience

• Bespoke Offerings: Customisation and personalisation would become key elements, allowing consumers to create unique, meaningful items.
• Storytelling: Luxury brands would highlight the stories behind their products—where and how they’re made, who made them, and why they’re special.
• Reparability: Brands would offer repair services as a standard, reinforcing the idea that their items are built to last.

Challenges and Transition

• Education and Awareness: Consumers would need to be educated on the benefits of enduring luxury and the drawbacks of fast fashion.
• Accessibility: Luxury items would remain more expensive, posing a challenge for equitable access, though co-ownership, like More Luxury Club, second-hand and rental markets can bridge this gap.
• Industry Resistance: Fast-fashion giants might resist this shift due to its impact on their high-turnover profit models.

How the Future Might Feel

• Wardrobes filled with fewer but higher-quality, beloved pieces.
• Products that hold personal stories and connections rather than fleeting trend appeal.
• A culture that values creativity, craftsmanship, and sustainability over rapid consumption.

This vision of enduring luxury offers a sustainable and meaningful alternative, aligning luxury with purpose and lasting value, both for individuals and society at large. At More Luxury Club, our vision to move people away from fast fashion and conspicuous consumption by adopting fractional ownership to trade up to higher quality goods aligns closely with enduring luxury. Our white-glove concierge service extends your items lifespan and retains their value, so when you want to sell your item you can, allowing someone else to enjoy it, and so on. 

The 1st Fab5 of 2025

Welcome to the first curation of Fab5 bags for 2025. We believe there is something special for everyone in this collection.  If you are still looking for that hero bag or the one that will round out your collection, look no further.  Gucci bags were the most popular bags of the Christmas season according to you, our community. 

Topping this year's list is the Gucci New Blondie Shoulder bag, first introduced in the 1970s, is a timeless symbol of the brand's blend of glamour and innovation. Recognised for its bold circular interlocking GG logo, it captured the era’s love for casual luxury and became a favourite among style icons. Officially relaunched in 2022, the Blondie remains a classic, bridging Gucci’s heritage with contemporary trends and continuing to captivate collectors and fashion enthusiasts alike.  

The Chloé Spin Embellished Leather Tote is a versatile and innovative accessory that reimagines the classic tote design. Crafted from supple textured calf leather, it features a panelled construction that allows the bag to transform into a slouchy bucket style, offering multiple carrying options to suit different occasions. A distinctive gold-tone chain loop embellishment not only adds a touch of elegance but also serves a functional purpose; by sliding the handles inside the ring, you can alter the bag's shape and carrying style. 

The Fendi Baguette, introduced in 1997, is renowned for its compact, rectangular shape and versatile design. A notable variant is crafted from luxurious stingray leather, known for its unique texture and durability. This exotic material gives the bag a distinctive, shimmering appearance, elevating its status among luxury accessories.Stingray leather, also known as shagreen, is prized for its durability and unique, pebbled texture that reflects light, creating a subtle sparkle. This makes the Fendi Baguette in stingray leather not only a stylish accessory but also a lasting investment piece.

The Saint Laurent Jamie Shopping Bag is a sophisticated addition to the Jamie line, introduced for Winter 2024. Crafted from supple lambskin leather, it features the distinctive Carré Rive Gauche quilted overstitching and the iconic bronze-toned YSL logo hardware, reflecting Saint Laurent's commitment to quality and timeless design.

Rounding out this month's fab 5 is The Louis Vuitton Nova PM Tote Bag is a sleek and sophisticated accessory that debuted on the Cruise 2025 runway. Crafted from premium black calfskin leather with a subtle glazed finish, it exudes bold elegance. The bag features signature details, including Monogram canvas trims and an LV name tag, enhancing its luxurious appeal. A sliding gold-tone chain allows for adjustable styling, providing versatility for various occasions. 

Love It or 'Hate' It?--The Walmart "Wirkin"

The "Walmart Birkin," colloquially known as the "Wirkin," is a handbag sold through Walmart's online platform that closely resembles the iconic Hermès Birkin bag. Priced between $78 and $102, for many it offers a budget-friendly alternative to the authentic Birkin, which can range from $9,000 to over $400,000.

The Wirkin gained significant attention in late 2024, particularly on social media platforms like TikTok, where users showcased the bag's design and affordability. This viral exposure led to rapid sales, resulting in the bag selling out on Walmart's website.

Despite its popularity, the Wirkin has sparked debate within the fashion community. Supporters appreciate its accessibility and the opportunity to own a designer-inspired accessory without the exorbitant price tag. Critics, however, argue that such dupes may undermine the exclusivity and craftsmanship associated with luxury brands like Hermès. We are not a fan of dupes, while dupes may be seen as a way to democratise access to luxury-inspired designs and provide an affordable option for those unable to buy originals, their negative impacts on sustainability, ethics, and intellectual property rights outweigh the short-term benefits.

We are not a fan of dupes, while dupes may be seen as a way to democratise access to luxury-inspired designs and provide an affordable option for those unable to buy originals, their negative impacts on sustainability, ethics, and intellectual property rights outweigh the short-term benefits. 

 As of now, Hermès has not publicly commented on the Wirkin. Given Hermès' history of protecting its designs, there is speculation about potential legal actions, though no official statements have been made. We believe that More is the antidote to superfakes and dupes, find out why by reading our blog, More as the Antidote to Superfakes.