When we look past the price tag and prestige, what does luxury mean to the hearts and minds of those that work within its walls and work in the industry? We asked our staff to speak to the feeling of luxury and examine the theme, giving us a glimpse into their own perspective on the good life.

"Luxury shifts for me as time goes on but it always lands somewhere between freedom and earned privilege. It's a Vintage Porsche 911 on a mountain road on a Tuesday afternoon. It's an office that's wherever I happen to be that day. It's a flight booked three hours before it leaves, just because I can. What makes any of it feel like luxury is the work that came before it."

In this moment, before this man hops into his purring vintage sports car he chooses a pair of suede ZEGNA shoes to easily slip into as he loads his car with his vintage-inspired weekend travel bag from Brunello Cucinelli. We imagine this scene set against a mountainside backdrop.

“I think of craftsmanship. Luxury goods are made with attention to detail, hours devoted to perfecting the craft and thoughtfully stitched by hand. Artisan made is not mass produced which makes it higher quality and more special."

True art is select. It’s the thoughtful and elegant whisper of the thread on a 100 Hands dress shirt that’s handcrafted by expert ateliers over a period of 15 days in India. It’s small-batch jewelry from Bunney that’s precious and inestimable–it’s not for everyone.

“Luxury to me is about indulging and maybe even over indulging. Why not put an I in priority and get the best for the best (meaning you).”

When we care for ourselves and indulge our desires we are celebrating pleasure in every form. Boarding a plane for vacation in a personality-loaded Ralph Lauren Purple Label camp shirt with a cheeky Floyd suitcase is not necessary but we’re only on this earth for a short time. Luxury means taking it to extremes. 

“Luxury is the art of restraint and perfection. It’s knowing that every detail—from a single line of typography to the drape of a rare fabric—was placed there with absolute purpose. Luxury is pure, thoughtful, uncompromised craftsmanship.”

A discerning eye and intentional consumption –nothing is sexier. It’s why we chase luxury’s built-in, sensual ease. It’s the Valentino Garavani sequined minaudière bag that you hold tightly as you enter the party looking for your next lover. 

“Luxury is the confidence to trust your own taste. It’s the ability to choose what speaks to you, not what simply seeks the attention of others. The most meaningful pieces have a way of transforming how you feel, carrying memories and becoming a part of your personal story. True luxury isn’t defined by excess or abundance. It’s found in the discernment to recognize what holds meaning, what feels timeless and what deserves a place in your life.”

Think highly of yourself. If you were writing your memoir, what do you remember wearing? Did you surround yourself with items of pure poetry? Was your life an ethereal champagne colored silk dress from Zimmermann or a Logan Hollowell gold necklace written in the language of the stars? Luxury means having choices.  

“Luxury means special items that you acquire in your lifetime that you cherish. I call them diamonds. When you find something that’s luxurious and you want to add it to your collection, it’s another diamond.”

Cream rises to the top and it’s where you like to play. Gifting a lavish Suzanne Kalan diamond tennis necklace to your partner is where you place a signature upon their life. 

“Luxury means slow fashion—pieces created by exceptional human skill and design with great care and attention to craft, excellence in textile production and choice and with the intention of it being something that lasts not only in your lifetime but can be an heirloom for generations to come. These are the pieces you invest in, not only because they are valuable to you, but because in doing so we are investing in a whole way of life—one in which we are thoughtfully selective about what we buy and buy fewer things of higher quality and wear them for life.”

Looking into your closet should feel like looking into the night sky filled with stars–every twinkling piece is unique and burning bright in this moment yet lasting for repeat performances. It’s the Savas suede jacket that has become a hero and a home to you.

“Luxury means a high cost item that is crafted with the utmost perfection. It’s people spending hours working, sewing and crafting an item until it’s perfect and using the finest quality material. Luxury can also be an experience. You enter A.K. Rikk’s and are greeted with a friendly face and offered champagne, a cocktail or a warm cup of coffee. It’s about caring for the client. Not only does luxury mean the best of the best products but the best of the best experiences.”

Greeting the day with a beautiful note. It starts with what you wear and continues on in how you treat people. Coming home to fill your delicately sculptural Venini glass vase with a bouquet of flowers is how you end the day and respect your time on this earth. Smiling openly to strangers and picking wildflowers in a field feel like acts of luxury. Do it often.