Luxury Academy Blog
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The History of Cartier
https://youtu.be/g1KuJtxhWtQ A world-renowned producer of the finest and most sought-after jewellery, leather goods and perfumes, Cartier started from surprisingly humble beginnings during the nineteenth century. Today, this luxury goods conglomerate firmly maintains its position as [...]
The Emotions of Luxury
https://youtu.be/euT8UtQXs_I Studies have shown that the appeal of luxury is primarily psychological. The psychology of luxury, however, is pre-eminently centred around emotions. We are drawn to luxury by deep emotions of love, nostalgia, empathy or [...]
The Bandwagon Effect
https://youtu.be/k6eC1xSJ7EE The bandwagon effect can be used to get people interested in your services and products on a very large-scale. Fashion trends largely rely upon the bandwagon effect, as more and more people start to [...]
The House of Gucci
https://youtu.be/X0Xxl9IkLWQ Gucci is a well-known Italian luxury fashion house based in Florence, with product lines including luxury handbags, makeup, accessories and footwear But the history of one of the most successful family businesses of all [...]
Let them eat cake
https://youtu.be/SjornybhOes Contrary to the propaganda against her, however, the verifiable historical record teaches us that Marie-Antoinette was actually, for the most part, a very kind-hearted and elegant lady. Her image was distorted by the wave [...]
Eva Peron
https://youtu.be/9CcbF_6GFvU Eva Perón was the first lady of Argentina and undoubtedly one of the most remarkable women of the 20th century. As controversial as her legacy may be to some, remains an icon of self-sacrifice, [...]
Do Men and Women Buy Differently?
https://youtu.be/64_ukz12Mvg men and women experience the process of buying something very differently. it is absolutely key for sales teams to not only be aware of these differences, but to be able to adapt accordingly in [...]
The Priming Effect in Luxury Sales
https://youtu.be/V9CLZ3YRWj4 Priming Effect in psychology is the unconscious process whereby the brain links or categorizes things. The priming effect means that our brain constructs certain semantic or conceptual relationships which leads to words-in-relationship being grouped [...]
The Myers-Briggs Test
https://youtu.be/_AYYS7Z88Ps Taken by more than 2 million people annually, the Myers-Briggs test is undoubtedly the most popular personality test out there. The test is completely meaningless. It has absolutely no benefit whatsoever. It is a [...]
The Dangerous Pseudoscience of the Kolbe Index Personality Assessment
https://youtu.be/jjmqGFirPtM One of Kolbe’s most renowned so-called “contributions” is her Index Personality Assessment, which she really developed based on her perception of herself as “the world’s leading authority on human instincts.” The famous Kolbe Index [...]
The Fake Science behind the DiSC Personality Assessment
https://youtu.be/mHdiv7yZaks According to the DiSC Personality Assessment, all human personalities can be divided into four different types Since personality is essentially nothing other than repeatable patterns of behaviour on the part of an individual, personality [...]
Imelda Marcos
https://youtu.be/2HVrrKQtq2U Imelda Marcos, the former first lady of the Philippines, is undoubtedly one of the most controversial and infamous political and social figures of the modern era. she and her husband Ferdinand Marcos, the former [...]
The Silk Road
https://youtu.be/2rSmhpEFjU4 In 130 BC, a network of trading routes that would later become known as the Silk Road was opened. During the second century B.C., when the Han Dynasty ruled China, they officially opened trade [...]
The Most Luxurious Party on Earth
https://youtu.be/bXEM87lWKBQ The most luxurious party on earth was held next to ancient ruins in the desert of Iran. It is estimated that the celebrations at Persepolis cost around £ 300 million, making it undoubtedly one [...]
What makes Luxury Brands so desirable?
Researchers have identified a number of factors that contribute to our seemingly perpetual desire to acquire luxury goods from luxury brands. When we buy luxury we aren’t just buying a physical item. We’re also buying [...]
The Etiquette of Gifting
Gift Etiquette Around the World By Victoria GoncharenkoLuxury Academy Switzerland The giving and receiving of gifts is one of life’s pleasures. The main intention of the gift is to please the recipient. Believe it or [...]
The History of Rolex
https://youtu.be/pbd0VEBILsw Rolex, the world-renowned Swiss luxury watch manufacturer is known to be at the forefront of classic luxury watch design and innovation. The name itself means absolutely nothing and was simply selected because it is [...]
The History of the Spirit of Ecstasy
https://youtu.be/m_mB5PrVVp8 There are very few more prominent and well-known symbols of luxury, class and elegance in the world than the Spirit of Ecstasy. The Spirit of Ecstasy’s association with Rolls-Royce dates back to 1909. There [...]
The History of Rolls Royce
https://youtu.be/icfpP0pKvuE There are very few brands whose association with class, prestige and luxury is as established and undoubted as that of Rolls Royce. The history of the brand starts back in 1904, with Henry Royce [...]
Mansa Musa – The Richest Man in History
https://youtu.be/QKIXQkmCdfc The richest man in history is believed to be a man by the name of Mansa Musa. “Accounts of Musa's wealth are so breathless that it's almost impossible to get a sense of just [...]
The House of Fabergé
https://youtu.be/miSJ1WPEe2I The House of Fabergé is a name synonymous with luxury jewellery. The company has an outstanding reputation as a producer of fine jewellery, but the 180 years of the company’s history has been nothing [...]
Does your accent impact your credibility?
https://youtu.be/lGeuLMZCuQo It’s a scientific that that the way we speak impacts the way we are perceived by others. changing your accent would amount to changing an integral part of who you are, and nobody likes [...]
The Life of Hugo Boss
https://youtu.be/vLXLXEpMFBI The issue surrounding Hugo Boss’ political associations continue to be controversial and probably will continue being controversial in future. Today his name is synonymous with one of the most recognizable and respected luxury fashion [...]
Ortolans: The illegal luxury delicacy
https://youtu.be/ob5fo4GJaOM Ortolans are a small, fragile songbird native to large parts of Europe, especially France. It was served almost exclusively to wealthy connoisseurs until 1999, when it became illegal to hunt and eat the bird [...]
Why high prices attract clients and instil a sense of comfort and low prices create resistance and a sense of scepticism
https://youtu.be/hxiCRzXxH5E We naturally tend to believe the more expensive product is the best. Price tends to be a proxy for quality. Economics and the market, as valuable as it may be to our society, simply [...]
Why are sweetbreads a delicacy and what are they? Are they really testicles?
https://youtu.be/U0JszKXHy14 Sweetbreads are actually a type of offal made from the internal organs from either lambs or calves. the most common misconception regarding sweetbreads is that it is testicles. It sounds like it could be [...]
What is Foie gras, why is it banned in some countries and why is it so expensive?
https://youtu.be/117TVQDY4dM Foie gras is the name of a French speciality luxury food made from the liver of either duck or goose. Foie gras production is banned in several European countries, including the UK. The French [...]
The World’s most expensive Cognacs
https://youtu.be/SmnS09GK1ws Cognac is a distinguished kind of brandy named after the commune of Cognac located in South-eastern France. Cognac is to brandy what champagne is to sparkling wine. Cognac, as you may well know, is [...]
Contrast Pricing and How to Use It
https://youtu.be/9UJyQcaaexY It’s human nature to make decisions and choices based on the principle of contrast. Contrast pricing enables you to sell more products at a higher price than you would without it. It’s human nature [...]
What are Truffles and why are they so expensive?
https://youtu.be/njZvRmGRFr4 Truffles are edible fungi, like mushrooms. But unlike mushrooms, they grow underground, attaching themselves to tree-roots. Truffles can go for around £300 per kilogram. When we speak about “truffles” for many of us chocolate [...]
The Veblen Effect
https://youtu.be/YWFeWmXxfVI The Veblen effect can be described as the positive impact of the high price of a product upon the demand for that product. consumers tend to believe that the increase in price itself evidences [...]
What is Caviar and why do we eat it?
https://youtu.be/6OYRb71P6bQ Only the unfertilized eggs of the Sturgeon fish, and only after it has been salted, is considered to be Caviar. Caviar from Beluga Sturgeon, the largest and only carnivorous Sturgeon, is by far the [...]
The World’s Most Expensive Foods
If you are one of those few fortunate enough to have these, be sure to cherish the moment, as it may well end up being a genuinely once-in-a-lifetime experience. these edibles are simply some of [...]
The World’s Most Expensive Coffee
https://youtu.be/kP4uN--fBgY The world’s most expensive coffee is made from poop. Black Ivory Coffee is the world’s most expensive coffee and sells for around £500 per kilogram. The world’s most expensive coffee is made from poop. [...]
The World’s Most Expensive Tea
https://youtu.be/C_rKpwNTKnc It may come as no great surprise that China, a country where drinking tea is considered to be a form of art, boasts with having the world’s most expensive tea. The club of those [...]
Understanding Brand Tone
https://youtu.be/2h4FQEQQhSU The right tone should help you connect with the customer on an emotional level, build a relationship of trust and make them desirous of your product or service. The key to the right luxury [...]
The World’s Most Expensive Spices
https://youtu.be/VV8H2pdVgw8 Today the world’s three most expensive spices are Saffron, Vanilla and Mahlab. The rarity of spices meant that in times past, it was also used for trading as a form of money. Spices has [...]
Pavlovian Conditioning in Luxury Sales
Studies have observed that certain stimuli produce learned responses from us on the basis of our associations. Eliciting favourable responses from consumers through associative learning has revolutionized marketing. Classical conditioning or Pavlovian conditioning refers to [...]
The Psychology of Negotiation (Why do people negotiate?)
Negotiations are not only important in the world of business or politics, but is also integral to our social and family life. Negotiation entails choosing the path of words – as opposed to violence - [...]
Understanding your Brand Voice
Having the right sound and message is as important as ever in terms of standing out from the crowd. In luxury, both a fresh and simultaneously mature brand voice will go a long way. In [...]
How to Manage, Facilitate and Control Client Zoom Meetings (for sales people)
Virtual business meetings have now already become a well-established new normal. digital meetings pose a number of technical difficulties that meeting in person doesn’t – difficulties often beyond your control. The global Covid-19 pandemic has [...]
Cape Town as a Luxury Tourism Destination
In the post-Covid world, Cape Town should naturally rank high on the list of any international tourist. Decrease in the number of new Covid cases over the past couple of months has led to the [...]
Maharaja Bhupinder Singh and his famous Patiala Necklace
Maharaja Bhupinder Singh is perhaps best remembered around the world as a symbol of luxury. The epitome of his legacy of luxury was undoubtedly his possession of the world-famous Patiala Necklace. Bhupinder Singh (1891-1938) is [...]
What is Confirmation Bias?
Confirmation bias occurs whenever we allow prejudices or biases to hinder our ability to thoroughly research or investigate any given subject or event. In order to overcome confirmation bias, it is important never to get [...]
The Importance of Business Etiquette in a Competitive Environment
Business Etiquette is not only about smoothing out interaction with others, but also positively building up your own image and business persona. One of the lamentable strategies often used by competitors at the workplace or [...]
The Psychology of Difficult Behaviour
most of us can be perceived as being a “difficult person” in a given setting. It is the emotions of frustration, anger or confusion that lie at the heart of difficult behaviour, rather than the [...]
The Chinese Luxury Goods Market to lead the way to a Global Recovery
China has, in fact, turned the misfortune of the global pandemic into an economic opportunity. China’s emergence as the world’s leading post-Covid luxury market, will enable the path to the luxury market’s complete global recovery. [...]
The biggest Jewellery Heists in History
Most of history’s biggest Jewellery heists actually happened very recently – in this century, in fact. One of the biggest jewellery heists happened as recently as 2019. Most of history’s biggest Jewellery heists actually happened [...]
Transformational Leadership and Servant Leadership: Two dynamic Models for Modern Business Leaders
The primary difference between transformational leadership and servant leadership is the focus of the leader. the specific model or style of leadership alone is insufficient to make a great leader. Although different, both servant leadership [...]
Fine Dining and Luxury Accommodation in Vilnius, Lithuania
This dynamic yet tranquil little city has an immensely rich history. The tremendous historical Jewish presence and influence in the city has also earned it the name “Jerusalem of the North”. Vilnius, the beautiful capital [...]
Luxury Tourism in the South Pacific
South Pacific, home to places like Bora Bora, Fiji and the Cook Islands, offers some of the most perfect destinations for a exclusive tropical escape. It is the exclusivity and secludedness of many of its [...]
Are the most expensive hotels necessarily the most luxurious?
World’s most expensive hotels simply aren’t necessarily the most luxurious. The key to and the very heart of luxury has always been exclusivity. Grading and comparing the world’s most luxurious hotels can be both daunting [...]
Digital Marketing Strategies to Grab the Attention of High Net Worth Individuals
Digital Marketing in the luxury industry has never been as important as it is today. Being relevant and informative to your exclusive target group are central to digital marketing strategies aimed at HNWIs. Effective communication [...]
Managing Change: Just as Essential as the Right Changes Themselves
change is life’s only constant The magic of change lies in the hope it can bring in the midst of challenging times. The ancient Athenian philosopher Heraclitus famously stated that “change is life’s only constant”. [...]
The Spectacular Increase in the Number of Ultra High Net Worth Individuals in India
India will be able to boast with 50 more billionaires by 2025. India’s share of the global UHNWI population is expected to almost double from 1% to almost 2% India has seen its number of [...]
Cape Town’s Booming Luxury Property Market
Cape Town is poised to have the healthiest and most prosperous Luxury Property Market in the world in 2021 there has most probably never been a better time to invest in a luxury seaside property [...]
Roger Federer as a Luxury Icon
Federer has managed to become not only the wealthiest person associated with the sport, but also its most valuable asset. Federer’s greatest source of income is actually his associations and partnerships with luxury brands Classic, [...]
A short History of Luxury Cruising
The idea of cruising for leisure only became a reality in 1822 in 1906 the number of cruise liners had increased to seven. As opposed to air travel, which is a very recent phenomenon, sea [...]
The Very Best Cities for Ultra High Net Worth Individuals to Live, do Business and Invest
Which are the best cities for high net worth individuals? London’s streets are paved with gold The American author Dorothy Parker once noted: “London is satisfied, Paris is resigned, but New York is always hopeful.” [...]
Does your Accent impact how People treat You?
Voice is an important mediator of how we perceive people Accent perceived as unconventional can impact the way people treat you Voice is an important mediator of how we perceive people. The way someone talks [...]
Investing in Luxury: Some basic Principles.
you should really only consider luxury investments once you are an advanced investor. The Right Expertise Investing in luxury assets and brands requires a set of skills, mindset and the kind of knowledge that makes [...]