Happy Friday everyone.
As fashion month wraps up and we are inundated with new hospitality openings more opulent than the last, I’ve been thinking a lot about how the definition of luxury is changing amidst the context of a generational change.
In the fashion world: Matthieu Blazy’s debut show at Chanel was a highly debated topic this week. Several looks featured shirts by Charvet, a French shirtmaker frequented by Coco Chanel and her boyfriend. The legend goes that Coco would borrow her boyfriend’s clothes, which represents a contradiction to the ladylike Chanel image. Those who didn’t know the context behind the choice to create shirts in partnership with Charvet would criticize, via the comments section, that it “looked like Zara”. However, those who know Blazy’s work know that you can’t fully appreciate his work unless you see and feel it in person. Blazy is immensely talented and has a perfect fashion resume, but he’s also a master in trompe l’oeil. If you look at the details of his first Chanel collection, you can see the level of craftsmanship that went into it. But from watching a livestream of the show on your phone? It isn’t as obvious.
And so herein lies the tension of luxury, in a time when everyone has access to “luxury” and “exclusivity” via their phones and when anyone can be a critic with a platform. What we’re learning from the luxury fashion slump is that it’s not enough to compete solely on the basis of material luxury anymore. It’s not enough to have celebrities be your ambassadors anymore, either.
What seems to be unfolding, however, is that luxury worth having is less about status signaling, and more about the personal meaning you attach to the stories these brands are trying to tell you.
In today’s newsletter:
A bankrupt fashion business is pivoting to a private members club
At what price per key does a hotel project in Venice not pencil?
Who’s going to build the lifestyle hotel brand equivalent of cruise and train travel?
Why would a wealthy American buy a home in London post April 2025?
Are hotels over-investing in wellness amenities that guests don’t actually need?
And more…
No new listings this week, but here’s a summary of what’s live:
For sale: Beachfront 150+key hotel in Ibiza’s Santa Eularia district
For sale: 5-acre estate in St. Tropez with sea views
For sale: 60-key boutique hotel in London’s Westminster
For sale: 180-key boutique hotel in London’s West End
Investment Opportunity: Luxury Hotel & Branded Residences in Rome
Investment Opportunity: Wavepool & hotel development project in Portugal
Investment Opportunity: Net Zero Hotel Brand/Platform, London
View all live listings & inquire here.
**Please note that only qualified buyers will be contacted due to the volume of inquiries.**
Have a luxury home to rent? A property to sell? Or perhaps a secondhand collectible watch? Advertise with The Stanza Classifieds: via classifieds@thestanzamedia.com.
If your rug is from CC-Tapis, I know that you’re a true design-head. One of my favorite designers, India Mahdavi, shared photos of her home in Arles. Naturally, she has a rug she designed for CC-Tapis (pictured here).
