Concept of Luxury Through the Lens of History

Abstract

Luxury goods have always been present in one form or another. They have been important objects of consumption for decades, have moulded fashion and trends, and have shaped consumer culture as a whole. This chapter approaches the luxury concept from a historical perspective and introduces how understandings of luxury have evolved over time. First, Turunen briefly summarizes the history of luxury, highlighting the sociological perspective and the importance of social stratification. The psychological and individualistic approach to luxury is then presented in relation to needs and necessities. The chapter highlights two aspects of definitions of luxury: luxury defined in relation to others, and luxury defined in relation to self and personal premises.