Pink Diamond – A Luxury Investment or Symbol of Love?

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Reading Time: 4 minutes

There is nothing better than a diamond that helps evoke the emotion of love and lasting commitment. The fascination for diamonds, since aeons, is due to their radiance and the symbolism of eternal love.

Is it just a symbolic gift of love, or are there other aspects? This article highlights the importance of pink diamonds beyond just being a love symbol.

Worth a fortune

Are you aware that the pink diamond can cost you 20 times more than a white diamond? One carat of pink diamond costs around $ 100,000 to $ 1 million in today’s market. The numbers are crazy, aren’t they?

Very few countries have the fortune to find pink diamond mines within their geography. 90% of the world’s natural pink diamond supply is from the Argyle Mine in Western Australia. Traditionally, pink diamonds find their roots in countries like South Africa, India, Russia, Canada, and Brazil.

Only 1% of Argyle mines production is by pink diamonds, which can help you understand the rarity of this precious stone. Moreover, the cost is so high because only 1 carat out of every million carats of rough diamonds mined is available for sale. 

A Beauty to Treasure

The most expensive natural diamond in the market today, barring red, is high-quality pink. The price ranges from $ 10,000 to $ 700,000 per carat, from a less intense to an intense pink diamond. The two vital factors that influence the price of a pink diamond are its carat weight and color intensity.

There are various options that you can have with pink diamonds. It ranges from extravagant necklaces to exquisite rings. If you plan to get one of these beautiful stones, you can take a look at Leibish while shortlisting. Each stone of their collections is unique and has a lineage linking it to Argyle.

2017 saw record-breaking pink diamond prices. The most expensive pink stone sold on record was the Pink Star. This magnificent gem raised $ 71.2 million and is now in Chow Tai Fook’s possession.

Valuation of Pink Diamonds

Color has a strong meaning in the case of colored diamonds, unlike its colorless counterparts. The valuation of pink diamonds varies depending on the color variations of the stone, as they are one of the rarest.

You will find brownish pink gemstones are more affordable compared to purplish pink. While the word ‘affordable’ is in use here, it is in use on a comparative note as the prices are still very high vis-à-vis other gemstones. Pink diamonds that have a vibrant color have a higher valuation.

The degree of pink diamond’s color strength is what determines its price. A 0.5 carats stone can cost $ 50,000 while a 2 carat can fetch $ 500,000. It suggests the exponential nature of pink diamond pricing with the increase in carat size.

The clarity for colored diamonds is not essential like colorless gemstones. Fancy cuts are best suited for pink diamonds, unlike the round of colorless ones. It focuses on the stone’s brilliance and allows its true color to shine through. Shapes like heart, radiant, triangle, cushion, or marquise are best for colored gemstones, as they help conceal any defects. You can choose among these to have the best-suited one for your requirement.

A Good Future Investment?

The pink diamond market witnessed a year-on-year growth in its valuation. The average price per carat of pink diamond in higher standard and quality is between $ 1.5 to $ 3 million per carat. Investors are bullish about the pink diamonds and are keeping a close watch on the reducing Argyle diamond mine production. The scarcity will continue to drive the prices up.

Earlier pink diamonds were in use for engagement rings only. However, the market price appreciation by 20% annually has brought in wealthy investors. 

The market now has SMSFs or self-managed super funds and Chinese investors. They are transforming the pink diamonds into an investment tool. The practical considerations of a high return on investment, low-risk, and security guide them to look beyond the romantic sentiment.

Therefore, as you can see, there is a change in mindset among the people as to why they are opting for pink diamonds today. Although purchase does not take place like exchange-traded commodities – gold or silver, the unique opportunity it presents is attracting many. 

You can choose this luxurious gemstone over other market investment tools as a low-risk and high-return opportunity. The lowering output of the Argyle diamond mines will only help to appreciate its price in the future.

Carol
Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.

Why It’s Important To Look At Reviews Before Buying Products Online

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Reading Time: 5 minutes

The growing number of complaints from upset customers has led manufacturers and retailers to do more than just ignore their dissatisfaction. Now, they are looking to the internet to provide feedback on their products and services. This has led to a new phenomenon on the internet where people will go online and write reviews about whatever it is they purchased, whether they were satisfied or completely dissatisfied with what they got.

Whether you’re buying a book, a new phone, or even a used bicycle, there is a good chance that someone who has already purchased it will provide their feedback online so others can read about the experience they had. Most of these comments tend to be very honest and open about both the pros and cons of the product being discussed. There are many different reasons why reading reviews is important before making an online purchase. We will review the most important ones below:

You May Find Better Alternatives To What You’re Looking For

Not all products available for purchase online are unique or groundbreaking in any way. There will be many different types of products that already exist elsewhere, but they might not necessarily pop up on your search results when looking for them. However, as seen on this website, product reviews can help you find similar items that may fit your needs better than the product originally listed on the search engine’s results page. Instead of continuing to use a faulty washing machine, for instance, one customer may find that a new one is much cheaper and better at cleaning clothes than what they currently have. By reading about other people’s experiences with the product, they’re able to decide on whether or not it’s worth buying themselves.

Reviews Provide Honest Opinions On Products

One of the most important reasons why you must read reviews before making an online purchase is that they provide honest opinions about the product. Even though you might have heard someone say in person that a book is great or that a TV has great picture quality, this does not mean it is completely true. Sometimes people are generous when talking to others around them and sometimes companies pitch their products in ways that can be misleading. This is where reading unbiased product reviews come into play. When the author of the review didn’t get paid for writing it, nor did they receive any kind of compensation from the company with certain guidelines on what should be said in the review, then you will only hear their opinion, even if it’s negative enough to scare away most customers.

You Can Determine If The Company Is Trustworthy

When you go onto any shopping website, you will be met with dozens of different customer reviews for each product displayed on its respective listing page. Reading through these comments can give you an idea as to how many satisfied customers versus how many dissatisfied ones there are and which side holds more power if it comes down to it. With this information in mind, you can determine if the company is trustworthy since there are usually hundreds of reviews from different people. Reading through them can help you make a better decision as to whether or not the product is worth purchasing and how satisfied people will be with it when they receive it in the mail.

Price Comparison

It’s not always easy to compare prices online since you don’t know if the website is offering a good deal or not. The only way you can find out for sure is by going through different customer reviews and seeing how much the product usually costs before, during, and after a review has been written. Sometimes it may seem like a great deal that you have to take advantage of right away – until you see that there are over one hundred comments from customers saying they were ripped off due to bait-and-switch tactics or other problems related to the actual transaction of purchasing the product. With this information in mind, you can determine whether or not it would be worth your time and money buying from a certain company again in the future.

You Can Make A More Informed Decision

If you want to make a smart purchase, then you must read through customer reviews before doing so. Not only can they tell you if the product is worth buying or not, but they can also provide information on what features are most important to have and why certain customer service-related problems were experienced by people who had already purchased it for themselves. Again, even though you may think a product has everything you need at first glance – reading initial customer reviews online can tell you otherwise since this information might not pop up in search engine results or the product page itself.

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Photo by abillion on Unsplash

Reading through customer reviews on different shopping websites can be very useful before buying products online. When deliberating over whether or not a particular purchase is worth it, checking customer reviews for an unbiased opinion on what those who have tried the product have to say about their experience with it should always be at the top of your list. So if you’re still unsure about whether or not it’s worth your time and money to buy a certain product, then take the time to carefully read through customer reviews so you can make an informed decision.

Jennifer
Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.

3 Ways to Give Your Next Event a Luxurious Touch

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Reading Time: 5 minutes

The event planning process is not like organizing a regular party. Whether it’s a high-profile or a small event, a lot more goes into preparation, design, and organization than it seems. Every event management hopes for a great event at the start of the night, but achieving that goal isn’t always straightforward.

Even if you do not want to hire an event planner and plan everything yourself, you need some aesthetic sense to throw a memorable event. Here are the three ways to give your next event a luxurious touch and make it memorable for you as well as your guests.

Call a Celebrity

Call a celebrity if you want to give an extremely luxurious touch to your events. No matter which industry the star belongs to, they should be a crowd puller. Let your guests enjoy every second of the event. Don’t let them forget this event for years.

All this is only possible when a successful celebrity comes to your event. We are not suggesting you call a Hollywood celebrity or someone with millions of followers. Call them the next second, even though they don’t have too many followers, as long as they can be great for your event.

However, contacting celebrities is a big hassle. Their marketing teams only provide email addresses, and you will have to wait for many days and communicate through Emails. Fortunately, Booking Agent Info has the contact details of major celebrities!

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Photo by Jonathan Borba on Pexels.com

Personalize Designs

Every bottle of wine at a luxury event is unique. Therefore, luxury events are customized as much as the organizer can. Make the schedules lengthier than usual for typical event preparation, for cookie-cutter options aren’t enough.

Remember that it will take a while to organize and customize a luxury event, so plan accordingly. From tables to curtains, wine bottles to glasses, waiter costumes to the general theme, everything should be customized to enjoy the best time of your life in the event.

Head toward the internet and check out some of the best event personalization trends. These days, people have become more choosy and aesthetic-lovers. So, we are sure that you will find your ideal event customizations there.

Attention to Detail

The most common difference between cheap and expensive isn’t the price but the attention to detail. Every expensive and valuable thing on the Earth is made up of high-tech methods with extreme care. At the same time, no such protocols are followed while manufacturing any cheap products.

The same applies to any event. Don’t let even a single corner of the event venue go unnoticed. From start to finish, everything should be premium and aesthetic. Keep an eye on everything from guests’ parking to guests’ entrance and dinner. Don’t let anybody complain.

Bonus Tip: Set a Budget and a Goal for Your Event

Even though luxury events require a hefty amount of money, still, you should set a budget and some goals to meet. Before you even consider a design or theme for the event, you must first set targets, priorities, and, most importantly, a budget covering all aspects of the event.

What are your expectations for the event? Are you looking for a way to have some fun with your friends and family? Is it a corporate get-together that requires outclass planning? Is there a thing that deserves special attention? Looking from a visitor’s or guest’s eyes, what will make the event successful? Having a goal in mind will help the remaining event preparations go smoothly.

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Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

Why is it necessary to set a budget? 

For starters, you must know where to set expenditure limits. It is not impossible to arrange a luxury event on a low budget, but we are sure that you don’t want to plan an event that the guests won’t like.  Therefore, create an in-depth budget so that each step is tracked and the budget stays on track without overspending.

Important Note: If you have hired an event planner for your event, it is almost impossible to transfer all your thoughts into their mind and make them do exactly what you want. Therefore, you will have to take an active part in the planning.

Keep an eye on everything and guide the planners through the way. Make sure that you make the most of the budget and arrange the best event possible within the budget.

Conclusion

Whether you are throwing a birthday party, organizing an annual dinner, or hosting a wedding reception, adding a luxury touch to it never goes out of the way.

A hefty budget is not always necessary to give your event a luxury touch. All you need is the presence of mind, an excellent aesthetic sense, some great personalization skills, and boom! Tonight’s luxury event is ready! Implement the ways mentioned above and make your guests go wow!

Carol
Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.

How to Improve Bitcoin Trading Plans: The Complete Guide for Beginners

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Reading Time: 8 minutes

It’s no secret that crypto current has changed the way people think about investing. In fact, it seems like more people than ever before are learning how to invest ever since Bitcoin rose to popularity. So, you want to know how to improve Bitcoin trading plans?

You’ve come to the right place! In this article, we will go over a list of ways to help you make money through crypto trading.

Step 1: Understanding How Crypto Trading Works

First things first — understanding how it all works. I think that a lot of people get into crypto trading because it’s exciting and new, but then they run into problems when they realize that it’s a different animal from traditional forms of investing. The good news is that understanding trading can be easy, so long as you do your research and take the time to learn.

There are several key aspects of traditional trading that differ from crypto trading:

  • The way you measure profit (It’s usually in percentages rather than with dollar amounts)
  • Currency pairs
  • Exchange rates
  • Timeframes (In crypto trading, long term trades are the norm)

Step 2: Know the Different Ways to Make Money

Once you’re able to understand cryptocurrency trading, it’s time to move on to step two — making money. There are several different ways in which you can make money with crypto. These include:

  • Speculation (This is when you buy low and sell high with the assumption that the value will continue to rise)
  • Arbitrage (When you buy and sell an asset on different markets at a higher price in one market than the other)
  • Day or swing trading (This is when you use technical analysis indicators to create short term swing trades that last anywhere from 4 hours to a few days)
  • Long term trading (This is when you hold onto an asset for several months or even years at a time; the goal here is to make money by riding price trends over this timeframe)
  • Crypto lending (This is sort of like peer-to-peer, interest-bearing savings accounts)
  • Cryptocurrency mining (This is when you use your computer to profit by helping confirm transactions for the blockchain)

Step 3: Get Yourself Set Up With a Trading Wallet

Just like traditional trading, being able to have access to your money at all times is very important. This means that if you decide that you want to begin trading, you should create yourself a wallet to keep all of your funds in.

Here are two types of wallets that you can use:

  1. software trading wallet (This is when you download and install the right programs onto your computer; usually, these provide users with access to their private keys)
  2. web-based cryptocurrency wallet (This is when you store your private keys on a cloud-based server; usually, these providers give you access to your digital assets with a username and password)

Step 4: Learn How to Use Technical Analysis Indicators (and When You Should Use Them)

There are many different technical analysis indicators that traders use in order to make decisions about their investments.

Some of these include:

  • Moving averages (These are indicators that you can read in order to determine the general direction that a market is moving in)
  • Bollinger Bands (These are used to measure volatility and help identify price trends)
  • Relative Strength Index (Also known as RSI, this indicator can help you determine if an asset is overbought or oversold)

You can check out this resource to learn more: bytefederal.com

Step 5: Understand How Margin Trading Works

Finally, now that you understand money management and technical analysis, you’re ready to step into crypto trading. One of the first things that you need to learn about is how margin trading works. Here are some important points to keep in mind:

  • Margin trading loans cryptocurrency assets: If the price moves against your favor, it’s possible for you to lose much more than you initially invested
  • There are many different exchanges that offer margin trading, and they all take a fraction of your investment as collateral. For example, if you want to trade $2000 worth of cryptocurrency with two times leverage (which means you want to control $4000) on an exchange like BitMEX, you’ll need to put down money as collateral
  • Margin trading comes with its own risks, so it’s important to remember that there is a real possibility of you losing money if you aren’t careful
  • Even though you’re using borrowed money to trade with, it’s still possible for you to keep most of your profits

It’s a good idea to use a trading bot when you find yourself in a margin trading situation. This way, you can automate most of the trades and make sure that they happen at the most opportune times.

Step 6: Choose a Good Exchange

Once you understand how crypto trading works and what makes it different from traditional investing (or gambling), then you need to find an exchange that is right for your needs.

There are 3 main types of exchanges with their own pros and cons, so be sure to pick the one that makes the most sense for you:

  1. Centralized cryptocurrency exchanges (These types of exchanges are like eBay; anyone can list their cryptocurrencies, and they’re run by a company)
  2. Decentralized cryptocurrency exchanges (These types of exchanges don’t charge fees for making transactions; instead, traders pay these fees when they submit an order)
  3. Hybrid cryptocurrency exchanges (Some of these exchanges give you the option in what kind of assets and features you want. Usually, there is a fee for using these options, but it’s still cheaper than most centralized exchanges)

Step 7: Avoid Getting Scammed

Now that you know how to trade cryptocurrencies and have a secure exchange, it’s time to focus on avoiding scams.

Here are some dangers that you need to be aware of:

  • There is a chance that your crypto trading platform can get hacked and the personal information of their users will get leaked
  • Phishers can try to install spyware on your computer through a new software update or email attachment
  • There is always a risk that you can get deceived by someone who offers to sell you crypto at a price that is lower than the market value
  • It’s possible for someone to try and scam your cryptocurrencies out of you without any repercussions

Step 8: Identify Your Goals

In order to improve your Bitcoin trading to the fullest extent, you’ll need to have concrete goals that you can pursue. Do you want to make only a little bit of money or do you want to go all out? What is your ultimate end goal for trading cryptocurrencies?

What about how much time you expect to dedicate toward trading on a daily basis? Answering these questions can go a long way.

Step 9: Keep Track of Your Trading Transactions

After you’ve made a trade, it’s essential that you keep track of it. If you’re making a lot of trades in a short amount of time, then it’s also a good idea for you to record them on a spreadsheet or an app so that you have a clear overview of how much money you have invested.

There is an abundance of price tracking apps and websites on the internet. It’s best to choose one that makes the most sense for your needs (and remember: if it works for you, then it doesn’t matter what anyone else says)

If you feel like you don’t have enough time to track your trades, then it’s probably a good idea for you to keep them simple.

Step 10: Look at the Bigger Picture

When all is said and done, your goal in cryptocurrency trading should be to make as much money as possible. However, you should consider all of the factors that affect your bottom line::

  • The amount of time that you’re willing to dedicate towards trading
  • The level of risk that you want to take on (the higher the risk, the greater the reward)
  • The amount of money that you want to invest in this endeavor
  • The amount of time that you have to dedicate towards researching the best trading opportunities

Knowing How to Improve Bitcoin Trading Plans Can Seem Intimidating

In some cases, it might even seem impossible.

This is especially true for new investors. However, the above guide will help you improve Bitcoin trading plans effectively and allow you to reach performance goals that you didn’t think were possible.

Be sure to check out the rest of our blog for other useful info about how to become a Bitcoin trader.

Carol
Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.

5 Luxury Trends That Everyone Should Think About – 2022 Edition.

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Reading Time: 12 minutes

2021 was an excellent year for luxury. Groups like LVMH ended up the year with strong double-digit growth. While we are trying to erase Covid-19 from our lives, the luxury industry hopes for an even better new year. 2022 should represent a consolidation of all the efforts made during confinement, and many new strategies came from this period. 

We also know that luxury goods spending will hit record levels in 2022. After rising by 4% between 2019 and 2021, luxury goods sales are estimated to go from €283 billion in 2021 to €300/310 billion in 2022 (source: Citi). This is almost a growth of 10%, which should allow luxury groups to consolidate their investments over the past year. Pandemics also changed consumer habits, and some of these changes are good to stay. Chinese luxury goods customers are now buying more products in Hong Kong than they used to. There has been a notable trend of purchasing luxury goods from smaller cities as people migrated from larger metropolises. These changes will bring new strategies and new behaviours from the luxury industry. in the US

To give some heads up on what will come next, here are my five essential luxury trends you should be watching out for in 2022. 

Prices will increase. It is inevitable!

Since 2018, luxury goods prices have remained pretty stable. In a world where private sales, discounts, special online offers and the second-hand market getting more robust, luxury brands keep a certain restraint on increasing their prices. Well, party-time is over, and in 2022 most of the leading luxury brands will increase their recommended retail prices. The most considerable increase is currently happening in fashion accessories and, more precisely, handbags. Some fashion brands have increased their leather goods by 40% since 2020. 

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Photo by Artem Beliaikin on Pexels.com

The high-end brands say the price increases are inevitable due to the rising costs of raw materials and labour, as well as the exchange rates. There is a more substantial responsibility from Luxury brands to source their materials more responsibly. Also, avoiding the delocalization of manufacturers has a cost when you are trying to maintain know-how where it was historically set up. Customers are also keen to support a more affordable luxury that considers environmental, social and sustainable factors. 

Another exciting element of luxury goods is the good investment that it represents. Some luxury goods like a Hermès Birkin bag can quickly be sold 30% more than the recommended retail price after a couple of years. Luxury bags and watches are significant investment purchases, and luxury brands try their best to avoid nourishing wild speculations on their products. 

These increases should bring a double-digit revenue growth in 2022 for the industry even if, potentially, volume might normalize. 

Second-hand market: Here comes the Tsunami! 

While the pandemics increased e-commerce sales volume, they also contributed to developing a niche market into a mainstream avenue. By 2020, e-commerce sales will increase to €26 Trillion (source: Financial Times), almost an increase of 30% compared to the previous year. Companies like Amazon got a massive piece of that cake, but we can see that the second-hand luxury market increased dramatically as well. 

Second-hand luxury goods refer to the high-end and premium items purchased by the second or later end user. These goods commonly include antique furniture, artworks, jewellery, footwear, apparel, fashion accessories, such as bags, watches, etc. Various luxury goods are usually durable with an extended warranty period, making them suitable for the resale market. Furthermore, re-selling unwanted goods instead of discarding them also benefits the seller. Additionally, second-hand luxury goods help minimize the dependence on high-quality raw materials for manufacturing new products and reduce waste production levels. Generally, second-hand luxury goods are sold at auctions, charity events, bazaar-style fundraisers, privately-owned consignment shops, etc.

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Photo by Ivan Samkov on Pexels.com

In 2021 the second-hand luxury goods market was evaluated at €33 billion. Within the next 5 years, some experts tend to say that it should outpace the overall luxury goods market. The solid growth of this market segment is fueled by the aim of more and more people to extend products life-cycle due to environmental beliefs. Also, more and more people crave luxury goods for lower prices; therefore, the second-hand market also answers that need. 

Leading luxury groups have simply ignored the development of the second-hand market. With the development of better circular businesses models, luxury brands are keen to collaborate with new partners to build a more sustainable approach to luxury goods. This means that luxury brands will grant authentification certificates to platforms like Vestiaire-Collective to maintain control of those sales and guarantee the authenticity of the products. New luxury brands are even taking a step further by creating a circular model as the foundation of their activity. It is the case of the young Swiss brand Nom Commun. Read our interview of the brand owner Melisande Grivet here

Luxury embracing virtual reality: An Immaterial world

There is no single day that we do not hear about augmented reality, virtual reality, blockchain, NFTs, Metaverse, gamification, etc. Technology is no longer the property of some geeks in Silicon Valley and Russia. The world has embraced a virtual world made of different products and experiences. While the luxury industry was probably one of the last markets to embrace this trend, now, leading groups have a strategy and departments taking a close look at this new untapped territory. 

Brands like Louis Vuitton and Gucci developed gamification a lot. Luxury is now more playful, from releasing digital games to providing online experiences based on gamification and less severe. It helps to attract a new generation of customers, digitally savvy, where the entry door to the luxury world might not be the same as the previous generation of customers. 

Balenciaga has launched a Fortnite collection in partnership with Epic Games (the online game developer). Why Balenciaga would do that and become the first high-end luxury brand to connect in direct collaboration with a video game-like Fortnite? The numbers speak for themselves. Fortnite is 400 million users around the world. It became a cultural phenomenon and has strong links with the world of sports and music. Generation Z is by far the most wanted demographics by most luxury brands. They represent people aged between 12 to 25 years old. They are for sure the next generation of luxury goods customers, and they are the first generation living a connected life since the day they were born. Balenciaga was a first step in the metaverse and the dematerialization of goods and possession, something “very generation-Z”.

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Photo by ThisIsEngineering on Pexels.com

 Blockchain definitely is a reality today. The authentification protocols allow luxury brands to fight more efficiently against fakes. LVMH, Prada and the Richemont group built a joint-venture called AURA.

This Consortium will encourage the use of a single global blockchain solution open to all luxury brands worldwide to furnish consumers with additional transparency and traceability. Cartier, LVMH and Prada Group have together a single solution to address the shared challenges of conveying authenticity, responsible sourcing and sustainability in a secure digital format.

More recently, the democratization of NFTs allows anyone to become an art collector, creator and dealer. Platforms started organizing themselves to create worldwide marketplaces. The growth is more than exponential. It is breathtaking. If we take the example of Nifty Gateway, we can see that in 2020 the platform was selling less than €500K of NFTs. By the end of 2021, the revenue generated by the platform outpaces the €109 million mark. The whole NFT business was evaluated at €2.5 Billion at the end of last year (source: BNP Paribas). Luxury brands see a way to grow sales and be part of this massive trend. Gucci developed a 4 minutes film inspired by one of their own collections. It was sold at Christie’s auction for €25 Million. “French Fashion” and “Haute Couture Federation” collaborated with the “Arianee” platform to create NFTs that could be traded in the 2022 men’s fall/summer fashion week in Paris and other high fashion shows.

These tokens permit users to view exclusive fashion from renowned fashion digital artist Richard Haines.

E-commerce will continue to grow: Now is the time to invest.

We know that e-commerce retailers were the big winners during the pandemics. According to the Financial Times, the online share of luxury sales nearly doubled from 12 to 22% last year. By 2025, expectations show that the online luxury goods business could reach 25 to 30% in value. Brands like Gucci and Alexander McQueen totally embrace this trend in improving their websites and increasing the number of collaborations with e-retailers. This approach certainly allows better inventory control, pricing, and, of course, customer relationships. 

It is not surprising to see how LVMH has invested so much in their new online platform 24 Sèvres – www.24s.com – featuring not only LVMH’s own portfolio of brands (including Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior) the eCommerce site also curates luxury fashion, accessories and beauty products outside of the Group.

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Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

Traditionally, luxury shopping is about going physically to a store. This action tends to guarantee an outstanding brand experience, VIP treatment and a feeling to be part of the brand’s story. For decades, the physical world exclusive journey would prevent luxury brands from adopting e-commerce quickly. “Nothing can replace a store experience”. Nevertheless, things change, and we can provide new elements on luxury online shopping, away from standards. Luxury brands can propose special features like free delivery special packaging and offer their best online customers. e-VIPs can benefit from accessing special deals and even unique collection pieces. What we call conversational commerce has hit quite strongly the e-commerce luxury experience. The “see and shop” attitude helped develop Instagram shopping and provide online services that craft and personalize the customer experience. Therefore, online luxury shopping gives each customer a unique flavour of VIPness. Thanks to machine learning and Artificial intelligence, the online experience can be upgraded in much better ways. Chatbots are over. The next trend is to allow complex artificial intelligence to craft and manage the user experience. Prada has developed with the help of Adobe Experience Cloud Solutions a whole framework powering AI to deliver better online experiences. With the amount of customer data processed in a quarter of a second, online retail beats physical shopping. With the empowerment of Generation Y and Z, online sales will become bigger than physical sales, which means that luxury brands will need to master their supply chains and e-commerce flows. 

Ultra-Luxury is the new Nirvana

With the democratization of luxury and a new generation of luxury customers always more numerous, people looking for uniqueness and rarity might get quite frustrated by how the luxury market evolves. In the past 5 years, the notion of ULTRA-LUXURY became more and more present in different luxury segments. It allows happy-few to be considered as privileged and to provide unique experiences, not open to everyone. Let’s take a couple of examples of how the ultra-luxury offer has developed. The travel industry is probably the first luxury segment to open a new horizon of extreme rare offers. While aeroplane business and first classes are increasingly invaded by frequent travellers, representing free upgrades and commercial travellers, a more unique clientele now prefers to travel in private jets. The private jet offers have improved by offering more flexible options, but exclusivity, luxury, and experience left the current commercial lines. The quality of the flying attendants decreased a lot, whereas private jets maintain a true quality service. 

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Photo by Chalo Garcia on Pexels.com

Yachting rentals is also a strong and heavy trend. While luxury hotels sell their souls to online platforms and other private-sales hard discounters, more popular and voluminous customers take over luxury places. More exclusive customers tend to desert luxury hotels and resorts to adopt a different type of holiday on Yachts. Luxury boat rentals have developed quite a lot, creating a new niche. 

Last but not least, the luxury car industry also had a tremendous turnaround for the last decade. Luxury automotive brands launched “entry-price” variants of their successful models (selling prices being under €70K). Popular car constructors like Nissan, Toyota and Hyundai launched high-end brands like Infinity, Lexus and Genesis. Exclusivity, uniqueness and luxury became a common mantra to a more democratic scale. Certain brands like Bugatti have dramatically radicalized their offer and the process to purchase a Bugatti. Experts tend to say that if you wish to own a Bugatti, you need to generate at least €20 million net revenue per year. Therefore, an ultra-luxury client will seek something else.

The car costs a lot of money, but car maintenance is stratospheric. If you try to proceed to an oil change, it will cost you around €20K, including all the controls and checks. Niche car brands like Pagani and Lykan offer unique cars; generally, all built by hand, each piece being the best that human ingenuity can offer. Pagani, for example, produces only 40 cars per year, and they do not intend to produce more. Ferrari is surely the icon of the luxury sports car. We know by experience that not anyone can buy a Ferrari even if you have the money to afford one. Ferrari dealers tend to sell cars to buyers that are at least over 40 years old and with a very good financial situation. Insurance companies are also very precautious to see a Ferrari car insurance, therefore making it more complex. The Italian automotive constructor producers around 8’400 cars, and their intention is to keep it low. 

In conclusion,
the luxury industry is evolving towards a new era, sometimes paradoxical, sometimes too digital-driven, and most of the time, trying to maintain exclusivity and premium. While fashion brands embrace quicker certain trends, leading luxury groups are heavily investing in retail and everything that relates to customer relationships. 2022 will help democratize technology and help luxury brands build an even more personalized experience for the end customer. Let’s hope those brands will keep their souls and legacy despite the paradigm change. 

José Amorim
Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.

Offering a taste of the finer things in life, Cannes Villas should be your summer home

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

One of the most idyllic destinations along the French Riviera, Cannes has long been favoured as a leading summer destination among the elite and jet-setters. Featuring some of the most exquisite food in France, a vibrant nightlife, high-end shopping, beautiful beaches, stunning luxury villas and more, experience a taste of the finer things in life when visiting Cannes. 

Cannes-Luxury-Villas

This seaside town truly comes to life during the summer, thanks to its warm climate, bright skies, and glistening waters. From its marina filled with superyachts to its sandy beaches and hillside neighbourhoods, there is plenty to experience in Cannes. Sample some of the best cuisines in the world along the French Riviera or cruise along the stunning coastline, visiting some of the gorgeous sandy beaches and secluded covers nearby. 

Visit one of the many chic and private beach clubs along the Croisette and enjoy a drink under the sun. The place to see and be seen, walk  down the promenade and stop in the finest boutiques that line the Croisette before choosing an exclusive beach club such as La Plage du Martinez or La Mome for an ice-cold rosé and a traditional French lunch, in a not so traditional atmosphere. Work on your handicap at the famous golf club and take in the views over the bay or take up some extreme watersports like flyboarding and kitesurfing. In the evening, stop by one of the city’s cosy bars or dazzling VIP nightclubs for a memorable night out. All this and more awaits you in Cannes. Of course, no visit to this opulent town would be complete without the right accommodation. 

Cannes-luxury-villas-guide

Cruise over to the island of Saint Honorat to discover the Lérins Abbey. Afterwards, explore the city’s narrow streets and savour a coffee in one of the cafés, or experience a stellar day of pampering at one of the finest spas. Head to the island of Sainte Marguerite for some peace and quiet. Covered in a lush forest of pine and eucalyptus, relax on one of its pristine beaches or visit the 17th century Fort Royal, famed for keeping the Man in the Iron Mask or the maritime museum. For those interested in the party world, La Guérite is the place to be. One of the world’s finest beach club is nested on the St Marguerite Island. Exquisite French gastronomy, world class entertainment and an unrivalled atmosphere, La Guérite is a world of its own. 

Offering an array of luxurious Cannes Villas, each features a different take on the exclusive French lifestyle. Depending on one’s mood, preference and needs, a villa located in the hillsides a short drive to Le Suquet could be the perfect match. Or perhaps a sprawling villa nestled into the Bay of Cannes, surrounded by rich gardens with a heated pool, gym, staff and more, would be the ideal refugee to visit after a fun day filled with adventure? 

With plenty of grandiose experiences to be had, Cannes should be at the top of your list for your next summer getaway. 

Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.

A Useful Guide On How To Make Your House More Secure

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Reading Time: 4 minutes

House safety has always been a big market, and there are countless ways you can make your house securer nowadays. But parallel with the development of security, the development of crime has also taken great strides. We need to constantly find new ways to tackle the possible intrusions into our homes. Here we will present to you some options which will probably add to your security and subsequently your privacy.

Shutters

A great feature of shutters is that they allow you to let light into your home by changing the slats at an angle that brightens the room without allowing the rest of the neighborhood to see what’s going on inside. As a result, your family’s activities and possessions can be hidden more or less without sacrificing natural daylight. That’s an extra layer of defense for you and the people you care about. You may visit Shuttercraft Ltd and check out many styles and imagine how they would appear and feel when coupled with your lovely home design. Also, having shutters is preferable because if a potential attacker notices more equipment on the window, he may assume you have greater security measures and thus may leave you alone. 

Front House Lighting

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Remember that preventing criminals from making your home a target is always preferable to catching them in the act. This is why motion detectors should not be thought of as the end-all solution for outdoor lighting. The goal is to retain the appearance of an occupied home with people who are alert if anyone comes close to their property. Criminals prefer to operate under the cover of night. Any incursion or dubious activity will be highly evident to those inside if your home has adequate lighting. Burglars will most likely ignore the residence and go on if they can’t avoid being noticed. Just be careful not to leave any blind spots.

CCTV

When you think of CCTV cameras, you probably think of government or administrative buildings, which use them not only to monitor visitors but also to conduct internal surveillance. We can all agree that CCTV cameras are supposed to keep an eye on what is valuable, but we frequently forget that the safety of our family and loved ones at home is our most valuable intangible asset. After all, even a home is vulnerable to a variety of dangers, some of which considerably exceed the more well-known commercial dangers. When robbers spot cameras, they are less likely to try to break in. It would be ideal if you could employ someone to install them properly, without any gaps.

Look Into Your Lock

We are certain that this topic does not require any further explanations, as the general public is aware of the importance of investing in high-quality locks. It not only keeps your facility safe but also allows you to go about your business knowing that everything is in order. However, recognizing the importance of purchasing a strong lock isn’t enough. You should also think about what kind of lock to acquire and what to avoid. You should watch some Lockpicking Lawyer videos on YouTube to learn how the most common locks can be opened in a matter of seconds, therefore you should be very curious about what kind of locking system your home has.

Alarm System

An alarm system’s objective is to notify the user and the appropriate authorities in the event of an emergency. This could be a break-in, a fire, an environmental issue, or a medical emergency. Using a variety of sensors, the system detects these emergencies. Door and window contacts, motion-detecting sensors, glass break sensors, smoke and heat detectors, flood sensors, temperature sensors, and security key fobs are some of the most common security sensors. Sensors can either be connected to a security system or communicate wirelessly via a wireless receiver.

When a sensor is activated or malfunctions, the alarm control panel receives an alert. The system will then react following the zone’s programming settings. One sensor, for example, may only trigger an alarm if it is engaged when the system is armed, but others may trigger an alarm at any time, independent of the system’s present condition. It’s critical to double-check that your sensors’ programming settings are right. Zones can also be programmed with a delay period, allowing the user a brief window of opportunity to disarm the system before an alarm signal is delivered.

When it comes to security, there are many ways you can protect yourself better, usually depending on your budget. You should always optimize your living space so that you can live carefree and relaxed in your home, or at least as much as you can. 

Carol
Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.

The Essential Things to Consider Before Buying a House in Nantucket

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Reading Time: 4 minutes

The island of Nantucket has been one of the leading New England destinations for a summer home ever since the 1960s.

Whether you have decided to move to Nantucket permanently or to use your residence there as a summer or second home, there are some specifics you may want to consider before making such a substantial investment and serious step.

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Are you prepared for living on an island?

Even though Nantucket is located less than 30 miles from the mainland coast of Cape Cod, it is still an island. This means that in extreme weather, it may be impossible to get to it or to leave. Also, since there are no bridges or tunnels, the island can be reached only via a ferry or plane. This means that you should be prepared to pay more for shipments and practically everything delivered and shipped from the mainland.

Then again, there are enough grocery stores, convenience stores, markets, and hardware stores in Nantucket where you can get the basic supplies and appliances you need.

Last but not least, keep in mind that the island of Nantucket is relatively tiny. The all-year-round population is only about 10,000 people, so you should be prepared to live in a place where everyone knows everyone. While the tight-knit community is one of the best aspects of Nantucket, some people who like more privacy and anonymity may not appreciate this.

Choose the best Nantucket neighborhood.

While it is a small-sized island, Nantucket has many neighborhoods and areas. There is the Town of Nantucket, and there are more European-style villages such as Siasconset and others.

The Town is made up of many neighborhoods, including the central historic Town. Brant Point is within walking distance from Town and is near the calm northern beaches and the iconic lighthouse.

Other neighborhoods and areas have different vibes and advantages and disadvantages. You can choose to buy a home in Cisco, Cliff, Dionis, Madaket, Miacomet, Monomoy, Polpis, Quidnet, and many more.

Surfers and younger people prefer Madaket and Cisco, while Sconset has the traditional gray weathered shingle houses covered with pink roses and a peaceful coastal vibe.

Some have more hustle-bustle while others are more private and quiet.

Keep in mind that building and renovating a home is expensive and regulated by strict rules

If you are planning on buying a residence in Nantucket, keep in mind that there are very strict rules and regulations for renovating or building houses on the island. The local Historic District Commission is in charge of preserving the island’s historical and cultural outlook and charm. This is why there are strict building codes, which determine the shape of the roof, the height, the shingle type and colors used, and so on.

Also, due to its remote location, the construction materials and the labor are much more expensive than on the mainland USA.

There is a Land Bank tax for homeowners

Every owner of a house or other building on the island needs to pay a fee of 2% of the price of the purchased residence to the Nantucket Land Bank and the conservation organizations. This fee is to ensure that they can purchase and protect as much of the land on the island as possible, as well as to ensure that access to all beaches and the waterfront is possible and free for everybody.

Because the island is dedicated to protecting its land and ecosystem, the number of new buildings and homes which can be built is very limited, which means that if you find a home that you love, you should be prepared to make an offer very swiftly.

The upkeep of the property can be costly

The upkeep of your second home can be quite costly, especially if you plan on using it seasonally rather than spending the whole year in Nantucket. This means that you will need to prepare the expenses which the upkeep, such as snow removal and maintenance, will cost quite a lot if you want to protect your property from potential damage from the harsh weather in the winter.

Consider renting your home out

Renting off homes and properties in Nantucket is very common and easy. Many of the seasonal residents choose to rent out their local homes for vacations. This can help make money and return some of your investment to buy the home when you are not using it.

Since this business is pretty well established on the island, you shouldn’t have a problem finding a residential rental company or potential customers yourself.

Carol
Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.

Top Ways to Make Your Interior Design Look More Futuristic

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Reading Time: 5 minutes

When it comes to interior design, there are a few different aesthetics that people often try to achieve. One of these is the futuristic aesthetic, which can be achieved by adding pops of color, choosing modern furniture, and opting for sleek, clean lines. This look often gives off an air of sophistication and glamour, making it perfect for high-end spaces like restaurants or hotels. Here are a few tips to making your interior design look more futuristic.

Lighting is everything

Many people incorporate the metaphor of having a bright future into their interior design. This idea is often expressed by adding lighting, especially LED lights, to certain parts of the home. There are many different options for lighting that can be used in the interior design process, and you can read more about the options available. Ranging from sconces and under-cabinet lighting to floor lamps and modern chandeliers. For example, an easy way to make your interior design look more futuristic is by adding a few popular pieces of furniture.

Modern furniture

Many different pieces of modern furniture can be used when trying to achieve a futuristic look, such as side tables and desks. Modular furniture is also a very popular option when it comes to creating this design aesthetic since it can be used in various ways. For example, sectionals give off a more relaxed vibe, so they would be better suited for a family room rather than an office.

Sleek, clean lines

To make your interior design look more futuristic, it’s important to cut down on nonessentials and give off simple, sleek lines. This can often be achieved with furniture that has clean edges or curvature, such as modern dressers or couches. Using simple design elements like these can give your interior design a more futuristic look without making it appear too cluttered.

Pops of color

One way to make your interior design look more futuristic is by adding pops of color in certain places throughout your home, which many people choose to do through artwork. For example, you can choose modern or abstract artwork to give your space a more artistic vibe. Other ways to add color are through throwing pillows on couches, certain furniture upholsteries, and area rugs. These are just some of the many different elements you can incorporate into your interior design process.

The futuristic aesthetic

For many interior design aficionados, the futuristic aesthetic is a goal they strive to achieve. This look is often made up of pops of color, modern furniture, and sleek lines. It’s also important to incorporate different lighting options into this style as well as limit clutter to have a spacious feel throughout your home. Incorporating these elements into your interior design can give you that high-end, futuristic feel.

Using smart technology

Incorporating smart technology into your home can make it feel more futuristic. This could be as simple as having a virtual butler or adding WiFi-controlled lights to different parts of your home. For example, you could have a sensor on the outside of your front door that detects when someone is trying to come inside and opens up the interior doors of your home. This is just one of many smart technology ideas that can make the interior design look more futuristic.

Spruce up your kitchen with gadgets

Even though only some high-end homeowners may have the funds to buy a robot to do the cooking for them, there are many different smart appliances you can upgrade in your kitchen. For example, you can purchase a smart dishwasher that washes your dishes and even dries them for you. There are also food processors and other appliances that make cooking a whole lot easier. 

Go wild with the design

Having a space customized to your aesthetic or an entire theme can be a fun and exciting project you can start planning. For example, if you’re doing a science fiction-themed room or want to achieve the look of an outer space bedroom, then many different design options can be incorporated into your home. You can choose to paint some walls with bright colors and others with neutral tones so they appear like the different planets in our solar system.

Remember the Jetsons? That is right of the bat, a futuristic aesthetic, and it can be achieved with some next-generation lights merged with the aesthetic of the 70s and 80s when it comes to furniture and interior design. 

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The bottom line is that, just like with the future as we don’t know what it holds, the perfect futuristic interior design can be anything you want it to be. Who knows, maybe the technology we only see in movies and watch on TV shows will one day be a part of our home décor.

Carol
Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.

Getting Fit In 2022? How Your Active Wear Will Make A Difference

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

It’s 2022, and you know what that means – technology has improved our lives in ways that were previously unimaginable even 10 years ago. 

We now communicate with one another over the internet, without having to make an actual phone call; we can watch movies and TV series anywhere we go, and food has never tasted better. But perhaps the most successful innovation of all is activewear.

We’ve even got clothing that can not only support you in your fitness goals but has tracking and measuring devices embedded right into the fabric. So for those who are looking for a way to get fit in 2022, there’s never been a better time.

The Benefits of Working Out in Sweat-Wicking Clothing

Sweat-wicking fabrics allow us to stay dry and cool during exercise, which is a huge benefit. Not only are sweat-wicking fabrics more effective at cooling down the body than other types of clothing, but they also don’t get in the way when you’re working out. 

You can move around freely, without having to worry about the annoying itchiness that we get from other types of fabrics when exercising in them.

black man in sportswear jogging in sunny autumn day
Photo by Barbara Olsen on Pexels.com

How to Choose The Right Workout Clothes

Usually, the best workout clothes are versatile, breathable, and lightweight, which makes them perfect for working out. Naturally, sweat-wicking clothing would be ideal in this regard. 

However, if you exercise in warm weather conditions and don’t want to have to worry about itchy fabrics, then you might want to consider purchasing a fabric that wicks away moisture but doesn’t become too hot when the temperature rises.

Equally, you might be concerned over the style and look of your activewear and opt for a pair of stylish running shoes or a fashionable pair of leggings for your workout. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t look good as you’re working out to look better!

Tips on Buying Workout Clothes Online

Online shopping has taken the world by storm, and nowadays, you can buy clothes or makeup from any store in the world while you’re sitting at home on your couch.

While this is great for busy people, it can also be a bit of a curse, as it’s easy to get distracted and lose interest in what you are searching for. If that’s the case, there are a few suggestions for making sure you get what you want when shopping online:

  • Break down your desired products into categories so that you can easily find them again later.
  • Look for reliable stores that have good customer feedback. This is especially important if you’re planning to purchase activewear online.
  • Take your time, and think about what you’re looking for before buying. This can save you a lot of time in the long run.
  • Compare prices so that you can get the best deal on your products and avoid getting ripped off.
  • Be careful when filling out forms online, as there are many fake stores that will steal your details and your money.
  • Check out reviews before making a final decision on which store to purchase from. This will ensure that you don’t buy anything that is below par.

Jennifer
Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.