I came across this magazine called “DC” published by Modern Luxury Media, and was flipping through it and became disgusted by what I saw. Basically, it’s a “lifestyle” magazine promoting over-the-top obscene displays of wealth. It’s filled with useless and ugly “luxury” items that the Washington DC “elite” need to have to maintain their “status”. It’s almost like a parody - some of the stuff is so ugly and useless and cost more than what many people make in a year. For example, there is a section suggesting some holiday gifts… Here’s the online version of the magazine and navigate to page 48 - it has to be seen to be believed…
Page 48: (Very ugly) White velcro high-top sneakers by Dior Homme at Saks Fifth Avenue: $880
Page 50: Jean Schlimberger green enamel bracelet by Tiffany & Co. $27,000 (note: no gemstones!)
Page 50: “Ricky 33” bag in crocodile by Ralph Lauren Collection (basically a non-noteworthy purple crocodile handbag): $16,995
Page 54: “Witches’” kitchen utensils by Artecnica, set of six: $770
Page 54: Avant Garde coral and diamond bracelet by Bernard K. Passman: $55,000 (Very ugly - looks like plastic)
Page 56: Two-finger ring by Bernard K. Passman: $150,000 (really tacky, looks like half of a set of sleazy brass knuckles)
Page 56: White diamond earphone covers by Deos (fit over your iPod earbuds): $15,000
Am I alone in feeling disgusted and outraged that there are people out there that really buy this crap? $15,000 diamond earbud covers?!? $770 for kitchen utensils?! What is wrong with people? Why would a small handbag cost nearly $17,000 dollars, and who would want to buy it?
I guess seeing this during the biggest economic downturn in decades makes this seem all the more disgusting to me… It angers me that people spend this type of money on this crap while there are hundreds of thousands of hard-working Americans out there who struggle to put food on the table or to pay for basic health care.
It doesn’t bother me that people pay for that stuff. It’s their money, they can do with it what they wish and I’m sure there are people who can’t understand why I spend what I do on some things.
Still, I get what you’re saying. It seems just outrageous.
Along the same topic, I’m irritated that I can’t find any design magazines (interior decorating) that have affordable items. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not looking for crap and Walmart furniture, but don’t show me 10 end tables and the cheapest one is $2500.
Well, I am neither disgusted or outraged. I wouldn’t actually buy any of the stuff (well, maybe the purple handbag, but only if I unexpectedly came into an extra $17,000) but I’m not that bothered by the fact that other people do.
FWIW, that kind of consumption actually fuels the US economy so I can’t get too worked up. It’s not like it’s my money they’re spending.
About this in particular, I have the idea that most of the trendy, “in”, must have crap fashion fungi is actually designed to be dog-arse ugly, promoting a continuous urge to buy the latest spawn of branded eyesores after realizing that you simply can’t stand the look of the shit you bought 3 months ago.
Outrageous designs to elicit an “uhhhh buy buy buy!” and show that you can splurge obscene amounts of money on useless crap.
Personally is not just the absurd prices of some things, but more often than not that ridiculous price tag goes attached to a ephemeral service life, so to speak. How long after buying the 15 grand purse is it going to be in use?, 3 months, 6 a year at most I dare say; how about the 880 bucks sneakers, one scratch, a rainy day or Og forbid poo accident and it’s time for a new pair.
I suppose it depends on the buyer, but I have a number of designer handbags (no $17,000 ones) that I’ve used for years and years. The one thing with buying quality leather goods is they really never wear out.
It’s hard to articulate what bothers me about it… yes it is their money and they can do with it whatever they want, but quite frankly I have to question the judgment and character of someone who would choose to spend money in such a wasteful manner. Why are these items so overpriced? Why is the handbag $17,000? Crocodile leather is not so valuable or rare that it would justify that price. Even if it had solid gold hardware, it still would not justify the cost. It’s not a sophisticated piece of equipment that takes hours and hours of labor to create (like a car or a house). It doesn’t have much utility. It’s just a silly purple purse. I question the character of a person who would throw away that much money - which could feed and house a family of 4 for a whole year - for a silly purple handbag, or diamond encrusted earbuds. And why is an enamel bracelet worth $27,000? If it had 5 carats of diamonds, maybe… but there are no gemstones, so why the high price?
It’s kind of like sitting next to a starving person while you’re eating a feast, and then throwing your scraps to the dogs, while your neighbor sits there, starving to death. It seems cold and callous to me.
And a side note - could the model on the cover of the magazine be any more homely? Ugly face, ugly dress, ugly makeup, ugly jewelry… her face is in a shadow, making her look dirty, and the photographer look very untalented.
The reason they can price that stuff where they do is because it IS worth that much to someone. Not you, clearly, but someone is (er, multiple someones are) willing to pay that.
Right, and that is why I can’t help but question their judgment, character, and values.
I guess another reason I’m so shocked is that this stuff is just so incredibly ugly. And obscenely decadent - like the diamond earbuds. And just plain stupid, like the $800 velcro high tops, the $700 wooden kitchen utensils, or the $150,000 two-finger ring. WTF?!
I think that for the ultra-rich we need to start pushing the ultimate trendy lifestyle choice of standing on street corners throwing wads of money into the air. Think of the advantages:[ul]
[li]Just as good for the economy - hey, I’ll spend the money just as fast as some rich dude.[/li][li]Shows off the fact that you have wads of cash to throw around just as well as buying butt-ugly crap[/li][li]Leads to less butt-ugly crap in the world.[/li][/ul]
I would expect to see nice things. Pretty jewelry, designer clothes, etc. I didn’t expect the outrageously obscenely over-the-top overpriced ugly crap that costs more than an average American makes in 4 years.
It makes me wonder about the personality and character of someone who would buy this stuff, and makes me ponder why they are like that. It makes me feel disgusted and sad at the same time.
There is a high-end real estate magazine that is distributed free every month here in the the Las Vegas area.
They always have expensive homes and condos…and even though I can certainly not afford to buy anything in there, they are fun to look at, which is why I make it a point to pick up a copy when it comes out.
In the most recent issue, the inside page had a photo of a nice, but not spectacular, living room in a home here in Las Vegas.
That house was “offered at $28,000,000”…wow.
But hey, I don’t begrudge anybody who has the money to buy it. Just seems a tad pricey, especially for Las Vegas.
What they are like is rich. Do you expect Bill Gates to shop in Ikea? They buy ridiculously expensive stuff because they can (presumably) easily afford it. The ultra rich have existed since the dawn of time with solid gold thrones or private jets or whatever. These days, they also have magazines so that that their servants know which über-gaudy bangles to buy next week
Or, it’s designed to be ugly so there won’t be any less expensive knockoffs, which maintains it’s exclusivity as a status symbol. There’s a certain mentality - not at all restricted to the rich - that if the common people like something, it’s garbage. So that if the response of the typical person to a handbag, an artwork or a building is “Ugh ! that’s ugly !”, that just proves your refinement for appreciating the subtle qualities that the common folk can’t.
I don’t quite get that. If 98% of the world thinks that what you bought is ugly, then it is ugly. Of course, you can say that the person likes it but doesn’t care what the world thinks. Yet, as you admit, the primary purpose of buying this stuff is to show off.
To me, it would make more sense to buy something that is really pretty, but doesn’t last very long. Stores should rely on the fact that cheap knock-offs will be made, and use that as incentive to make the people buy the latest and greatest.
If you make $50,000 a year, that purse is about 33% of your annual income. If you (or your spouse, whatever) make $5,000,000 a year, that purse is 0.3% of your annual income. It’s the equivalent of spending $170 on a handbag while making $50,000. While you might not do that, there are many women who will.
