When luxury loses its soul
What happens when craftsmanship is replaced by quarterly targets? When luxury goods become mass-produced status props instead of rare objects of beauty? Journalist and author Dana Thomas has been tracking this transformation for over two decades — and she’s sounding the alarm.
In this episode of Visionary, recorded on campus at Here East, Dana joins Georgina Godwin to unpack what went wrong with the luxury fashion industry, how customers are pushing back, and why the future may belong to small, soulful brands that value integrity over expansion.
From Louis Vuitton pineapples to child labour in counterfeit workshops, this conversation cuts through the gloss and marketing spin to reveal what luxury should mean — and how a new generation of shoppers is demanding just that.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
Why luxury’s obsession with growth has diluted its core values — and how Armani’s business model got it right.
How the resale and counterfeit markets are reshaping what consumers want (and trust).
Why Gen Z is turning away from logos and towards meaning, sustainability, and experience.
Watch the episode on YouTube below, or listen via your preferred podcast app.
