Conspicuous: How Modern Luxury Redefined Craft, Clout, and Culture

by Karina Vunnam

From the designer handbag that defined a generation to the quiet luxury rebellion reshaping consumption today—the untold story of how we fell in love with luxury, and why we're falling out of love again.

"In Conspicuous, author Karina Vunnam gives us a behind the scenes look at how the leading luxury houses – LVMH, Richemont, Hermès and Chanel – have transformed the age-old world of luxury from that only accessible to a culture’s aristocratic elites to one where nearly anyone can indulge if they have the will to do so. This is a book that reveals how contemporary luxury brands have relentlessly created that will."
- Pamela N. Danziger, luxury market researcher, author and journalist

CONSPICUOUS takes readers inside luxury's most dramatic transformation in modern history. Through intimate consumer stories and unprecedented industry access, this book reveals how brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Hermès evolved from exclusive ateliers into global empires—and what happened when their dreams of democratization collided with luxury's fundamental need for exclusivity.

Part cultural history, part business exposé, part personal journey, this book follows luxury's journey through three the seductive rise of logo culture and Instagram-fueled desire, the explosive growth and inevitable contradictions of mass luxury, and the emerging rebellion toward quiet luxury, values-driven consumption, and authentic craftsmanship.

You'll

How a single Instagram post can make or break a luxury brandWhy Hermès deliberately maintains waiting lists while competitors chase growthThe hidden costs behind "Made in France" labelsHow Buy Now, Pay Later services transformed luxury accessWhy quiet luxury brands like The Row represent luxury's future
From Parisian ateliers to Chinese factories, from influencer marketing to artisan workshops, CONSPICUOUS reveals the forces reshaping what we desire, what we buy, and what we truly value. For anyone who has ever fallen under luxury's spell—or wondered why it's losing its magic—this book offers both answers and a roadmap to what comes next.

"A brilliant exploration of luxury's eternal cycle—how it rises, spreads, dilutes, and reinvents itself. Essential reading for understanding not just fashion, but how desire itself evolves in our digital age." - ARC Reader

274 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2025

Reviews

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an insightful and deeply engaging exploration of the modern luxury landscape, how it has evolved, who it serves, and what it says about us. This book blends cultural analysis with behind-the-scenes industry narratives, taking you from the hushed ateliers of heritage brands to the bustling, influencer-driven digital marketplace.

The balance between storytelling and analysis keeps this book interesting. Through vivid consumer anecdotes and rare access to brand insiders, the author reveals how icons like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Hermès transformed from exclusive, craft-focused houses into global empires. This book explores the paradox at the heart of luxury today: the tension between democratization and exclusivity.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was some interesting info in this book, but it got SO REPETITIVE I wanted to throw my Kindle against the wall. We get it, people who want quiet luxury eschew visible labels and go for brands like The Row and Brunello Cucinelli. Yay, the author can afford designer items. So aggravating because I did get something out of this overall but did anyone even edit this? Or like, read the whole thing once over before publishing it? I see that this was independently published, and go off queen, but you could have cut it down by a third, honestly. Come on man.

My thanks to Creative Nudge Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Mae B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly researched and well written. A bit redundant but a must read for anyone interested in fashion and the recent changes in the industry.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc