Have you ever thought about what a "lifestyle" is? This now fashionable term was actually coined by psychologist and thinker Alfred Adler. He used it to describe our unique reactions to the basic aspects of life: relationships, love, work, and so on. Today we use this term to emphasize or justify some aspect of human life. For example, "he leads a rock and roll lifestyle." And "she has an alternative lifestyle" may mean that she wears a piercing, she has strange musical preferences, causing makeup and an eccentric outfit.
The same can be said about people leading a "luxurious lifestyle", to which our magazine is more dedicated. But even if they realized their material dreams, this does not mean that they have a luxurious relationship. After all, life is not limited to the objects that you possess. And things, even luxurious ones, do not make you a real man or woman and, of course, do not form a lifestyle, at least in Adler’s understanding.
And yet this does not mean that we should feel guilty for loving beautiful things. There is an obvious difference between the correct perception of aesthetics and the senseless consumption of fashionable goods. What is bad if you like some exquisite item? Or a beautiful evening dress? Or a new sports car?
Coco Chanel believed that luxury is a necessity that begins where necessity ends. And indeed, after all, no one has yet found themselves on the brink of survival just because they could not purchase the products of their favorite brand. The essence of the luxury industry is to realize dreams and sell symbols of success and prosperity. Because when buying a luxury item, you get a certain image, which is much appreciated.
But in the end, it seems to me that life style does not come down to what we spend our money on. He talks about how and with whom we spend our time. And here is where real luxury is just visible.
Irina Malkova
