🔮💎 A whirlwind year for luxury (and myself) #89

Welcome back to What The Luxe, a newsletter packed with insights & intelligence for luxury, beauty & lifestyle marketers —written by me, David Klingbeil

Dear all,

It's been a whirlwind year since I transitioned from my role at Google a year ago. My time has been a mosaic of new beginnings. From consulting for dynamic brands to teaching luxury marketing to the bright minds at NYU. And not to forget, publishing 15 luxury micro lessons and building an insight tool that promises to reshape our understanding of the market (stay tuned for more on this!).

But now, I am back, reigniting the regular cadence of our newsletter, promising to bring you the latest and most insightful takes on the luxury industry.

In times marked by sweeping turmoil - economic upheavals, political unrest, and financial uncertainties - pondering the essence of luxury might appear trivial. Yet, let's recall the words of Russian literary giant Fyodor Dostoevsky, who famously said that "beauty will save the world."

In these challenging times, could the pursuit of beauty and luxury be a beacon of hope and resilience?

The digital realm continues to pose intriguing questions for luxury brands. The Web3 space, once buzzing with NFT launches, now seems to be in a phase of reflection - some would even say recalibration.

How should luxury brands navigate this new era? Should they create digital twins, explore platforms like Roblox, or invent entirely new digital experiences? While the frenzy might have subsided, the potential of Web3 remains vast and largely untapped.

However, the air is tinged with caution. Recent developments like Farfetch's emergency deal, striking a stark contrast with its former valuation, signal a slowdown in the industry. It's a reminder of the volatile and ever-evolving nature of our market.

Yet, as we approach the year's end - a pivotal period for luxury brands with the holiday gifting season - there's a palpable sense of optimism. This is the time for predictions, for setting strategies for the new year, and for embracing the festive spirit that illuminates our industry.

So stay tuned... We're back, and more enthusiastic than ever to embark on this journey with you. Here's to a season filled with joy, prosperity, and, unparalleled luxury. A season that will inspire you, surprise you and make you think… What the Luxe?!

Cheers,

David Klingbeil

PS: feel free to hit reply & send an email to leave a comment, I read and answer every message

🛍️ Experience & Retail
⛓️ Disruption (AI, AR,VR, Web3 & The Metaverse)
🌲 Sustainability & Purpose
💼 Business & Finance
📺 Marketing and Advertising
✌🏼 Misc

Long form content (>1min)

Guerlain - Les Légendaires: Mitsouko | GUERLAIN ( 1m17 )

ROLEX - Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative Presents: In the Cloud Forest ( 1m )

Hennessy - Maison Hennessy: Cultivating the Future ( 2m28 )

Short form content (<1min)

GUCCI - From Gucci, with love. Windows and façades around the world for the holiday season ( 16s )

La Mer - The Atelier of Wonder | La Mer ( 15s )

Sephora - A Year of Doing Good ( 54s )

Michael Kors - Hello, Chateau | Holiday 2023 ( 49s )

On top of the regular What The Luxe, I share deep-dives on hot topics in the luxury industry with the Premium subscribers.

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