My Little Luxury': A Consumer-Centred, Experiential view

摘要

This article departs from traditional views on luxury by focusing on consumers' experiences with what is perceived to be luxury. The empirical study is exploratory in nature and relies on consumer narratives regarding consumer luxury experiences. Beside numerous communalities with traditional conceptualisations of luxury, the findings allow characterising consumer-defined luxuries, for instance, as (a) transient - a fact that is reflected in the flexible, escapist, and unlocking power of luxuries; and (b) private in that these luxuries support consumers' identity projects. Building on these findings, this article contributes to existing literature by conceptualising luxury from a consumer perspective.