The "democratisation" of luxury, was cited as "the single most important marketing phenomenon in modern times" (Twitchell 2002:29), and was a direct result of the market economy and democratic political system. Market segmentation based on socio-demographic information was rendered as oboslete "commodified minimilieus" developed with shared stylistic tastes based on "status goods, and the drive for self-expression though consumption" (Prada and the Art of Patronage")

Four dimensions of luxury goods:

Haute Couture

Boutique Luxury

Diffusion Line

High-Street Brand Designer Collaboration

(c)