Luxury 360

Luxury 360 is a new and recurring post where I will examine the current luxury goods market trends and recap the main highlights.  I personally like to know the big picture of the industry and sometimes find it difficult to get this information in one place.

• 2012 has proven a good year with sales for a third year in row showing double-digit growth. Globally, luxury goods sales are estimated to reach 212 billion euros in 2012, a 10% increase from 2011.  Sales for 2011 were 192 billion euros up 11% from 2010.
• Accessories (leather goods and shoes combined) are the champion category of 2012 with sales up 14%.  For the first time accessories are the largest piece of the market overtaking apparel.  
• At 27 billion euros Greater China (Mainland, Hong Kong, Macau) is now the second largest luxury goods market behind the United States, bypassing Japan.  However Greater China, which accounts for half of luxury spending in all Asian markets, is slowing with projected growth of 20% in 2012 versus 30% in 2011.
• Men are gaining share in luxury spending accounting for 41% of all sales.  In 1995, men accounted for 35% of luxury purchases.  

Hope you found this interesting!  If you want a more in depth look into these highlights, see the Bain & Co. luxury goods market report here.


Photo credit: Runway Passport

Guest Blogger: Mindy Erazo's Blogger Crush

Hello Mouthful of Style readers, Mindy here from Mindy Erazo curating a guest post about one of my Blogger Crushes!

May I introduce you to the beautiful Andy Heart, a fashion and style blogger whom I have been following for about a year now. Her and I have very similar taste which is why I just love her blog. Her style is very chic, incorporating simple pieces with statement pieces all with a masculine edge while still keeping her femininity. Seems like a difficult thing to do but Miss Heart achieves it so effortlessly its brilliant.

Her color palette doesn't have the widest range but something about tone on tone and all black outfits doesn't bother me whatsoever, I mean, half my closet is black so I'm not one to judge! She's great at mixing designer pieces with more affordable ones which I love.

C'est trés chic, no?

Miss Heart's blog is filled with not only amazing outfit posts but she also includes many product reviews. I've bought quite a few products from her recommendations and none have disappointed. If that doesn't have you searching for her blog yet, she ALSO has some fun beauty tips and tricks like this great one for an edgy, yet sophisticated nail.

Huge fan of hers and I hope I've inspired you to check out her blog here.

Thank you so much to Mouthful of Style for asking me to do this guest blog. I had a lot of fun and I hope you all enjoyed my Blogger Crush!

Mindy Erazo


Photo credit: Andy Heart

Holiday wish listing

1. Proenza Schouler PS11 mini classic leather
2. Diptyque Amber Oud scented Christmas candle
3. Falling Whistles for Peace in Congo
4. Bea Valdes Outrider clutch bag
5. Frida Gustavsson Vogue Germany fashion illustration print
6. Isabel Marant Hippo embellished quilted cotton-twill jacket
7. Tom Ford Beauty nail lacquer set
8. Lady Grey Symtra bangle
9. Valentino studded patent-leather flats

Holiday gift guide wish list.  I am sure you have all overdosed on holiday gift guides by now.  So instead of creating my own gift guide, I am showing you what is on my holiday wish list to inspire you through this holiday shopping period.

The Curator, Tastemaker, Style Influencer ...

The curator, tastemaker, style influencer, fashion ambassador and celebrity; They are changing the scene of online shopping.  I see one consistent trend being the use of curators in recommending products. Marketing research has shown that we as consumers like recommendations from people we know and/or admire and are more inclined to shop these suggestions.  So is the curator the new online marketing strategy of today as was the flash-sale of previous years?  Below are four unique online websites that have adopted the curator-based business model.

AHAlife is an online discovery and shopping platform that offers unique handpicked products by the likes of Donna Karan, Daniel Boulud, Tina Brown and Tim Gunn.  

The Coveteur offers a look into the closets of tastemakers, celebrities and fashion elite with the ability to actually shop pieces from their closets.

Vaunte recently launched and is also offering up fashionable closets by redesigning the world of online luxury consignment shopping.

The Cools is a social network and an e-commerce site.  Its tastemakers include Erin Fetherston, Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld, and Agyness Deyn.