How Technology and Industrialization have changed Luxury Lifestyle
From what we wear to where we read, everything has changed radically since the era of industrialization and technology dawned upon us – specially in the luxury world.
By: Soumya Jain
In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Industrial Revolution took root and grew to limitless power. And in the 20th century, technology took roots and still growing to include immense possibilities of a more insightful future. We have more ideas and facilities in hand than we ever had. We are, actually, living in a world of accelerated technological progress. And whether we realize it or not, the way we live has changed as well. Here are some of the most obvious differences we can see in life before and now:
1. Smart watches taking over luxury watches: In the 1970s and 80s, the quartz movement had threatened the Swiss mechanical watch industry quite heavily. Many traditional watch brands had to shut down facing such tough competition. Often called the ‘quartz crisis’, or the ‘quartz revolution’, depending on which side of the world you are looking at it from, it reshaped the luxury watches industry in permanent ways. That same threat (or opportunity) can be seen with the advent of smart watches. With watches that can tell time, take calls, count your heartbeat and more, luxury watches are again facing tough competition. But as consumers, the new generation is delighted with smart watches. Although the war hasn’t begun yet, it still remains to be seen what will be the future of mechanical watches in the next 20 years.
2. Slow Fashion changing the production of fashion: With the era of fast fashion came labour usage which was cruel to say the least. With secrets pouring out of factories of impoverished, less-paid workers who were forced to make garments in poor-working conditions, a sudden consciousness has risen. The textile industry as we know it today, a result of the industrial revolution, is one of the most prolific industries in the world where labour laws are regularly flouted. No wonder then that people across the world are adopting the concept of ‘slow fashion’ where brands make less garments, through craftsmen who are treated with respect and paid well, consequently making them luxury brands with less quantities available in the market. Slow Fashion is revolutionizing the fashion world and taking it back to purer, more artistic routes.
3. Digital Detox changing our vacation style – With increased digitalization comes a new way of detoxing – Digital Detox. After all, there is just that much you should stare at a screen. Although digitalization is inescapable, many travellers are now searching for ways and destination through which they can dump their phone for a while, and indulge in activities and excursions which will truly acquaint them with the natural world. Our motives and methods of vacationing have changed as well with technology. Apart from digital detox, technology has made planning vacations easier as well.
4. Luxury Blogs changing our content consumption – Yes, the medium of reading has changed. From glossy, thick paper magazines, millenials have steadily moved towards luxury blogs and e-zines to get their daily luxury and fashion inspiration. It’s quicker with a huge amount of input available from across the world. Luxury blogs are not only changing the consumption of luxury content, but they have also paved the way for luxury e-commerce. Information is available at the tip of your fingers now. And good, well-researched content.