Today’s society is full of overt displays of luxury, but one celebrity stylist is questioning why we feel the need to own it all. Allison Bornstein has been in the fashion industry for many years, and she’s seen first hand how the idea of what is desirable has shifted and changed. The new ideal for Bornstein? It’s time to ditch the excess, and keep only what truly brings us joy. Read on to find out her take on how less can be more.
1. Luxury Living Re-Imagined: An Interview with Celebrity Stylist Allison Bornstein
The face of luxury living has changed drastically over the last decade. New architecture, design, and trends are transforming how people make and use their spaces. To learn more about how this evolution is affecting the industry, we spoke with celebrity stylist and trend expert, Allison Bornstein.
- On her definition of luxury: “For me, luxury is about feeling content. We don’t need many things in life to be fulfilled, but the pieces we do have need to be of high quality and meaningful to us, in order to create a sense of equilibrium. Thankfully, there are now luxury goods that truly speak to us, and fit into our individual lifestyles.”
- On the rise of conscious luxury: “Conscious luxury is more than a trend—it’s here to stay. People are becoming increasingly interested in sustainably produced items, and the idea of making ethical decisions relative to their lifestyle. Moving forward, luxury should be considered a conscious choice with positive impact.”
Through her work and lifestyle, Allison is helping to define modern luxury, and shift our ideas around what it means to inhabit a beautiful home. We’re excited to see what she comes up with next!
2. Challenging the tradition of “Quiet Luxury”
Automotive luxury has a longstanding tradition of being “quiet luxury,” but the modern car buyer is more interested in finding standout features in each car they drive. Redefining luxury is all about challenging these expectations, making luxury louder, and imbuing it with greater energy and passion.
In this way, luxury no longer rests solely on exclusivity, but on tweaks and changes that make the car unique. These can be minor details, such as high-tech shift knobs, leather piping, or red stitching. Or, they can be bolder statements, such as styling, paintwork, and trim colors that immediately catch the eye.
- High-tech shift knobs that are useful and ergonomic.
- Leather piping to enhance the timeless feel of luxury.
- Red stitching to introduce a hint of modern energy and sophistication.
- Distinctive styling to bring further chaos into the otherwise quiet luxury market.
- Vibrant paintwork that is unlike anything else in the lineup.
- Unique trim colors that peeks through all the nooks and crannies.
All of these upgrades ultimately keep the automotive industry exciting and vibrant. With a careful mix of old and new, seemingly mundane details can be brought to life to create a whole new level of luxury. This is the challenge that modern luxury car designers and buyers must embrace.
3. Redefining the Effects of Excess on Society
It’s become increasingly apparent that substances and activities deemed ‘excessive’ in modern society can have incredibly diverse, complex effects on the population.
From an economic perspective, addictive and harmful pursuits such as gambling and extreme drinking can lead to short-term gains in certain industries. However, these can often lead to long-term detriment as people’s addictions take a toll on their personal wealth, while vulnerable individuals can become increasingly disadvantaged within society. Moreover, certain substance abuse—such as drinking alcohol or smoking—can also take a toll on mental and physical health, which in turn can have a knock-on impact on the healthcare system.
These considerations are part of the process of redefining our understanding of the consequences of excess. One area of focus should be on educating young children and adolescents about balanced lifestyles, and why it’s so important to make intelligent choices. Furthermore, we should ensure that taxes and regulations are in place to ensure these activities are kept to a minimum, while ensuring that progams and support systems exist to look out for those vulnerable to addictions.
- Economic impact: Short-term benefits, long-term detriment
- Effects on health: Mental and physical toll
- Steps to take: Education, taxes, support systems
4. Living a Life of Minimalism: Tips from Allison Bornstein
Living a life of minimalism, while it may sound like it is just about reducing possessions, has far reaching impacts. It is a lifestyle choice that requires a pragmatic and balanced approach. Alison Bornstein is an expert on mastering the idea of minimalism.
1. Cut the Clutter: Before embarking on your journey of minimalism, it is important to discard the items that you are no longer using. Go through your space, one room at a time, and ask yourself if an item is necessary and serves a purpose. If it does not, then it is ok to discard it with conviction.
2. Keep Only What You Need: As you go through your journey of minimalism, remember to keep only the items that you need. Those items should be aligned to your values, aesthetic, and goals. This helps to ensure that you are keeping the right items that will bring you joy and peace.
3. Chase Experiences, Not Possessions: When thinking about what you desire, ask yourself if you truly need the item or if you could get a different type of satisfaction by having an experience instead. Experiences are things that are not limited to possessions, you can have experiences through relationships and learning new skills.
4. Give Back: A big part of minimalism is giving back. You can start by donating the items that you no longer need to those that do. Not only will it help those in need of your items, it will also benefit you in terms of keeping your home decluttered and focused on only the items that serve a purpose.
5. Unplug, Reflect, and Enjoy: After discarding the items that you no longer use, taking some time to unplug and reflect on what you have accomplished is essential. Enjoy the spaces that you have created and make sure that they are aligned to your values, goals and purpose.
Celebrity stylist Allison Bornstein reminds us: when it comes to luxury, sometimes less can be more. To capture her message, it’s worth remembering that true luxury isn’t measured in how much we have- it’s measured in how much we don’t need.
