Oh, don’t we wonder what products are the hottest luxury brands for 2015?

Don’t we wonder how to keep our closets and wardrobes current with the latest–and wondering why brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton are becoming passe?

It may partly be because these luxury brands have become so common (thanks to millions of knockoffs) and are hence less rare. And that’s what is most desireable in a luxury brand: Rarity and exclusivity. Luxury brands are perhaps the best way to show off wealth  and status, and there’s a flood of new millionaires around the world who like showing off — especially them burgeoning Chinese Nouveau Riche.

Roberta’s  Miami friend and luxury broker in Miami Beach, Kevin Tomlinson, is a fan of fine brands and I’m sure he would be familiar with the hierarchy triangle pictured–compliments of Business Insider’s latest hierarchy of luxury brands for 2015, 

Squint your eyes and you’ll see that Bespoke suiting plus Graff Diamonds and Leviev jewels top the hierarchal list and are considered “ultra high end.” Just below them are super premium brands like Harry Winston, Patek Phillipe, Bottega Veneta, Breguet, Van Cleef & Arpels, Panerai and Swiss luxury watchmaker IWC.

The “Premium Core” brands would linclude Chopard, Hermes, Bulgari, Omega, Cartier, Rolex, Tiffany, Tag Heuer and Berluti. The more “Accessible Core” includes such brnads as Gucci, Tod’s, Prada, David Yurman and Tissot. In these groups you’ll find a larger number of affordable (and very illegal) knock-offs.

The “Affordable Luxury” contingent would include the more available Montblanc, Coach, Tiffany Silver, designer eyewear (including Chanel), and Gerx. Below that are everyday luxuries enjoyed by many including Starbucks, Swatch, designer fragrances, and both craft and imported beer, wines and spirits.

Don’t mean to hijack this luxury blog, but saw this hierarchy and couldn’t resist publishing the most desired luxury brands for 2015. Personally, I’m a big fan of Robert Graham shirts (especially his limited editions) and finely-fitted clothing–regardless of brand.

The post Hottest Luxury Brands for 2015 appeared first on Luxury Home Digest.

1. Homes. Low prices fueled by foreclosures and short sales, coupled with low interest rates and possible income tax credits, make this an opportune time to shop real estate.

2. Cars. Automobile dealers are dealing as never before: 0 percent financing, big cash rebates and other incentives make for some historic deals. Even used car prices are down 10 percent from a year ago.

3. Vacations. Las Vegas hotel room rates are down an average of 34 percent from a year ago, cruises are offering some amazing bargains, like $1000 per person for summer week-long Alaska cruises (including airfare).  Airlines are also offering some bargain fares.

4. Toys. Prices for playthings are headed down this summer and are expected to stay down for holiday shopping.

5. High Dividend Stocks. With the S&P down 40 percent (more or less)  from a year ago and the prospect of inflationary times ahead, now may be a great time for the courageous investor to pick up some stock bargains that have a history of divident payments.

6. Laptop Computers. Prices for laptops are falling, thanks in part to recent buying activity in those handy little netbooks. Computer deals abound almost everywhere.

7. Diamonds. The recession has dulled even the diamond market, with prices for polished diamonds down an average of 14 percent from their highs last summer.

8. Clothing. Men’s and women’s clothing are filling the clearance racks. Remember how Saks Fifth Avenue started their 80 percent off sales before Christmas last year?  There are lots of bargains, especially with more expensive lines.

9. Televisions. We recently had to replace a large flat panel television, and were blown away with the replacement price at Costco.  As more manufacturers enter the flat panel TV business, prices are drooping precipitously.

10. Furniture. With fewer people buying homes, furniture sales have drastically fallen off. Many furniture retailers are going out of business and clearance sales are driving much of the home furnishings market.

As a San Diego Realtor, I find it interesting that Forbes put real estate in the number one position–and cannot help but recall Baron Rothschild’s famous saying, Buy when there’s blood in the streets.

How much blood is the question….

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