• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.92-108
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• 2024

This study examines the measures and implementation strategies needed to develop sustainable design from an international perspective, using examples of sustainability practices and product planning from Helen Kaminski, a representative fashion brand of positive luxury. The research method includes a literature study on positive luxury, a case study on positive luxury brands, and an empirical study where the researcher participated in the development of Helen Kaminski's design. The study identifies the following measures needed to develop designs for sustainable products: First, the development of designs that increase circularity; Second, the use of certified materials and strict adherence to material usage; Third, the simplification of production methods or development of new technologies for this purpose; Fourth, ensuring that design development incorporate the traditions and unique handicraft techniques of the local community. The implementation strategies required for a sustainable product planning process are as follows. First, changes in the product planning stage and expansion of participating members are needed. Second, securing and conducting prior inspections of the supply chain for ethical sourcing is required. Third, prioritizing the use of eco-friendly materials and material development. Fourth, establishing a stage for selecting and evaluating objects that will become representative designs with sustainability. As a result, this study can serve as basic data to strengthen corporate competitiveness and establish itself as a fashion brand for sustainability through actionable strategies applicable to the domestic fashion industry in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.252-265
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• 2010

Most luxury fashion brands have a strong brand identity and the product design characteristics of a brand are critical factors that influence brand identity. The design of products influence brand identity and play an important role in the choice by consumers in which brand to purchase. This study investigates the impact design characteristics of luxury brands on brand attitudes as well as purchase intentions in the examination of the differences in the impact influence by product category and consumer characteristics. The product design of brands was evaluated and measured by innovative and traditional characteristics. The product categories were divided into apparel, bags, shoes, and accessories. The consumer characteristics used in this study are fashion involvement, age, income, and the amount of money used for purchasing fashion products. Sample brands, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermes, Burberry, and Gucci, were extracted from the Intel-brand's Luxury Brand Ranking 2008 and pilot tested for appropriateness. The data collected from 120 luxury consumers and 92 samples were statistically analyzed with SPSS 15.0, reliability test, factor analysis, ANOVA, frequency test, regression, and t-test. The findings are as follow. First, luxury brands were divided into two groups by innovative design characteristics and traditional design characteristics; innovative design characteristics show a significant influence on brand attitude and purchase intention. Second, only fashion related behavior factors among consumer characteristics became moderators when design characteristics influenced brand attitude and purchase intention. Third, the differences in purchase intention affected by design characteristics were found in bags, shoes, and accessories category. It is necessary for luxury brands to focus on innovative design characteristics and to specify the different needs of consumers through fashion related behavioral factors. This research will be useful to luxury brands in designing products and planning marketing strategies by offering specific information for luxury brand consumers.

• Asia Marketing Journal
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.69-102
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• 2012

Owing to increased number of luxury brand users, both genuine and counterfeit luxury product consumption continues to increase every year. Luxury brand is defined as use or display of a particular branded products which brings the ownership prestige apart from its functional utility(Grossmand and Shapiro 1988). Some luxury brands have imitations sold in marketplace due to their popularity. These imitations or counterfeits have been jumping on the bandwagon of the upturn in sales of their originals. The purpose of our study is to understand consumer's underlying motives to consume luxury brands, genuine and or counterfeits. To do this, we propose functional theories of attitudes, decision-making styles, and life attitudes to form the determining causes for different consumption choices of luxury brands: genuine brands, counterfeit brands, both genuine and counterfeit brands, and no consumption on luxury brands types. In proposed causal pathways, we examine moderated effects of socio-psychological factors to further investigate if consumer profiles would exert influences in causal relationships. From the existing theories of functional attitudes: value-expressive and social-adjustive attitudes, we developed and introduced a new measure of rationality-consumptive attitude. From the existing eight decision-making characteristics of consumer styles inventory(CSI), three measures of high-quality, hedonic-shopping, and price-shopping styles were primarily applied in the study along with newly introduced measure of 'high-price' being added, which makes four total. Seven life attitude measures of life purpose, life control, will to meaning, goal seeking, future mean to fulfill, life satisfaction, and religiosity were applied. Finally, such socio-psychological measures as age, gender, marital status, income, and age-gap between couples were assumed to function as moderators. With 430 valid study samples, ages from 20s to 50s, with more females(316) than males(114), with average personal possessions of 5 genuine and 9 counterfeit luxury brands, we conducted questionnaire survey. Results indicated that social-adjustive function is totally disappeared in the relationship due to current social trend of widespread consumptions on both genuine and counterfeit brands which in turn, make consumers feel less special on wearing or carrying them unlike in the past. Self-expressive function and rationality-consumptive functions act as strong catalysts for genuine brand consumption and counterfeit brand consumption, respectively. On consumers' decision-making styles, high-price sublation is the most powerful indicator anticipating counterfeit consumption, even more powerful than personal incomes. In life attitude, the overall model fit was not validated, and only life control and life satisfaction are proven to be significant on both genuine and counterfeit product consumptions. Employment of socio-psychological factors in the model improved understanding of users further. Young consumers tend to go for genuine products over counterfeits. Consumers in different income groups; low, medium and high, all significantly consume genuine products for reasons of different decision-making styles. The results indicated that consumers whose personal disposition is predisposed to consume products in the form of reflection of his or her personality, go only for genuine brands for quality reason, while consumers who rationally consume products for its function or usability, go only for counterfeits for high-price sublation reason. Meanwhile, both product users support for high-price orientation who are not well off.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.11 no.10
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• pp.5-15
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• 2013

Purpose - With the increase in fervor to purchase luxury brands, new social problems have arisen, such as excessive preoccupation with luxury brands and high preference for forged luxury goods. Therefore, the issues related to luxury brands, termed "Luxury Syndrome," have emerged as an area of great interest for researchers and practitioners. However, previous studies neglect to categorize this preference for luxury brands. Therefore, this study aims to identify the different purchasing behaviors of consumers using the types of luxury brands preferences as parameters. Research design, data, and methodology - This study arranges a causal relationship model assuming that purchase behaviors positively (+) affect typified preference for luxury brands and purchase intentions. We administered a questionnaire survey to the purchasers who bought luxury brands from department stores to secure additional data necessary to verify the hypotheses in this study. We then processed the data using SPSS 19.0. We further analyzed the basic data using frequency and descriptive statistical analysis, and verified the measurement tools through feasibility and reliability analyses. Moreover, this study uses multiple regression analysis to verify the hypotheses. Further, this study tests the path effect between luxury brand purchase attitude and purchase behavior, with non-intrinsic preference and intrinsic preference as the mediating variables. Results - Based on the results, the impact of tendencies of conspicuous consumption and self-monitoring on non-intrinsic preference was significantly positive (+), while the impact of tendencies of pursuit of a reference group, conspicuous consumption, and self-monitoring on intrinsic preference and purchase intentions was significantly positive (+). Further, non-intrinsic and intrinsic preferences positively (+) influence purchase intentions and the impact of non-intrinsic preference took an absolute portion. However, the tendency of dependence on brands negatively (-) impacts purchase intentions. The results showed that self-monitoring and conspicuous consumption tendencies have greater effect on purchase intention, which is mediated by non-intrinsic preference. In contrast, reference group following tendency has a greater effect on purchase intention, which is mediated by intrinsic preference. Conclusions - Based on the results, the study verifies that the consumption of luxury brands in Korea has not yet entered the settling period. The tendency for conspicuous consumption and the tendency for pursuit of the reference group were relatively important aspects for the consumers who prefer luxury brands non-intrinsically and intrinsically, respectively. Especially, it was found that the purchase intentions for forged brands originate from the tendency to depend on brands. Based on these findings, this study suggests the measures to develop and mature the luxury brands market, and reinforce marketing performance at the three levels, that is, government, distributors, and manufacturers. The luxury brands manufacturers should devote themselves to the production and design of products to catch the attention of mature consumers of luxury brands. The luxury brands distributors should then raise the level of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) for opinion leaders. Finally, the Government should prepare effective policies for the development of luxury brands and provide a variety of economic support.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.386-398
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• 2022

This study was conducted to corroborate the factors that influence consumer characteristics and technology acceptance on online luxury platforms, which are rapidly emerging as distribution channels for luxury brands. To this end, the relationship between the degree of technology acceptance and behavioral intention of fashion consumers on online luxury platforms and the effect on specific factors such as age and gender was investigated to see if there was a difference in behavior and use behavior. A survey was conducted on Korean consumers between the age of 20 and 40 who have used online luxury platforms and then, a statistical analysis was conducted. As a result of the study, performance expectancy and facilitating conditions, hedonic motivation, price value, and habit were found to have a significant effect on platform behavioral intention, but effort expectancy and social influence did not have a significant effect. Additionally, both facilitating conditions and habit were found to have a directly significant effect on the platform use behavior, and it was confirmed that the platform behavior intention also had a significant effect on the use behavior. As a result of confirming the moderating effect of gender and age, there was no difference based on gender, but only the relationship between price value and behavioral intention was found to have a moderating effect. It is hoped that domestic online luxury platforms will grow into channels with distinct characteristics and continue to develop in the luxury market by utilizing specific affect factors of this study.

• Asia Marketing Journal
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-22
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• 2013

This case focuses on Shanghai Tang, the first truly Chinese luxury brand that appeals to both Westerners and, more recently, to Chinese consumers worldwide. A visionary and wealthy businessman Sir David Tang created this company from scratch in 1994 in Hong Kong. Its story, spanned over almost two decades, has been fascinating. It went from what best a Chinese brand could be in the eyes of Westerners who love the Chinese culture, to a nearly-bankrupted company in 1998, before being acquired by Richemont, the second largest luxury group in the world. Since then, its turnaround has been spectacular with a growing appeal among Chinese luxury consumers who represent the core segment of the luxury industry today. The main objective of this case study is to formally examine how Shanghai Tang overcame its downfall and re-emerged as one the very few well- known Chinese luxury brands. More specifically, this case highlights the ways with which Shanghai Tang made a transitional change from a brand for Westerners who love the Chinese culture, to a brand for both, Westerners who love the Chinese culture and Chinese who love luxury. A close examination reveals that Shanghai Tang has followed the brand identity concept that consists of two major components: functional and emotional. The functional component for developing a luxury brand concerns all product characteristics that will make a product 'luxurious' in the eyes of the consumer, such as premium quality of cachemire from Mongolia, Chinese silk, lacquer, finest leather, porcelain, and jade in the case of Shanghai Tang. The emotional component consists of non-functional symbolic meanings of a brand. The symbolic meaning marks the major difference between a premium and a luxury brand. In the case of Shanghai Tang, its symbolic meaning refers to the Chinese culture and the brand aims to represent the best of Chinese traditions and establish itself as "the ambassador of modern Chinese style". It touches the Chinese heritage and emotions. Shanghai Tang has reinvented the modern Chinese chic by drawing back to the stylish decadence of Shanghai in the 1930s, which was then called the "Paris of the East", and this is where the brand finds inspiration to create its own myth. Once the functional and emotional components assured, Shanghai Tang has gone through a four-stage development to become the first global Chinese luxury brand: introduction, deepening, expansion, and revitalization. Introduction: David Tang discovered a market gap and had a vision to launch the first Chinese luxury brand to the world. The key success drivers for the introduction and management of a Chinese luxury brand are a solid brand identity and, above all, a creative mind, an inspired person. This was David Tang then, and this is now Raphael Le Masne de Chermont, the current Executive Chairman. Shanghai Tang combines Chinese and Western elements, which it finds to be the most sustainable platform for drawing consumers. Deepening: A major objective of the next phase is to become recognized as a luxury brand and a fashion or design authority. For this purpose, Shanghai Tang has cooperated with other well-regarded luxury and lifestyle brands such as Puma and Swarovski. It also expanded its product lines from high-end custom-made garments to music CDs and restaurant. Expansion: After the opening of his first store in Hong Kong in 1994, David Tang went on to open his second store in New York City three years later. However this New York retail operation was a financial disaster. Barely nineteen months after the opening, the store was shut down and quietly relocated to a cheaper location of Madison Avenue. Despite this failure, Shanghai Tang products found numerous followers especially among Western tourists and became "souvenir-like" must-haves. However, despite its strong brand DNA, the brand did not generate enough repeated sales and over the years the company cumulated heavy debts and became unprofitable. Revitalizing: After its purchase by Richemont in 1998, Le Masne de Chermont was appointed to lead the company, reposition the brand and undertake some major strategic changes such as revising the "Shanghai Tang" designs to appeal not only to Westerners but also to Chinese consumers, and to open new stores around the world. Since then, Shanghai Tang has become synonymous to a modern Chinese luxury lifestyle brand.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.31-39
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• 2020

Purpose: This study attempts to explain why online luxury shopping malls have implemented a difficult registration process and membership fees. These features weaken online shopping convenience, one of the major reasons why people shop online instead of offline. Therefore, this study scrutinizes the effects of membership features on trust, focusing on the moderating effects of registration difficulty and membership fees. Research design, data and methodology: A survey method with a total of 296 survey data was used. A 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design was employed. The three independent variables are price discount rate (20% vs. 70%), registration difficulty (low vs. high), and membership fees (yes vs. no). Results: The results reveal that a price discount rate has a negative effect on trust, whereas membership fees and registration difficulty moderate its negative effect on trust. Conclusions: A high price discount rate lowers trust for online luxury shopping malls. Meanwhile, registration difficulty and membership fees can be used to prevent consumers from losing trust caused by the high price discount rate. Therefore, registration difficulty and membership fees are signals implying that not everyone can use these private online shopping malls, which provide low prices for luxury items.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.862-871
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• 2004

This research is ultimately to understand the general behavior of luxury goods consumers and to diversify the consumer groups according to the relationships between their benefit seeking and brand loyalty. The subjects used for the research were 223 female consumers who purchased fashion luxury goods. The data were analyzed by factor analysis and multiple regression. The results showed that there were four factors in benefit seeking of luxury goods; self-improvement, aesthetics, uniqueness and quality. Each of the factors was analyzed in relation to brand loyalty and brand variety seeking motivations. Brand loyalty's factors were continuous brand loyalty, trademark brand loyalty and devoting brand loyalty. Brand variety seeking motivation factors were change/novelty seeking motivation, quality/recommendation, discounted price and unique types of product line. The consumers who were seeking self- improvement were showing trademark brand loyalty rather than continuous or devoting brand loyalty. Meanwhile, the quality benefit seeking customers showed continuous or devoting brand loyalty. The most important motivations in brand variety seeking was change/ novelty seeking. The implications and marketing strategies of the research were discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.31 no.3 s.162
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• pp.475-485
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• 2007

The purposes of this study were to examine attitudes toward countefeits among fashion luxury brand consumers, and to investigate the influences or effects of brand loyalty on purchasing frequency of fashion luxury brand and the effects of brand loyalty on attitudes toward counterfeits. The subject used for this study were 214 female consumers who have purchased fashion luxury brand products. For data analysis, descriptive statistics, factor analysis, multiple regression, and ANOVA were used. As the results, first, the brand loyalty were classified into three factors; enduring brand loyalty, symbolic brand loyalty and famous brand loyalty. Second, the attitudes toward counterfeit was composed of four factors; comparison with genuine goods, counterfeits as alternative, approval of counterfeits purchase, and illegality of counterfeit manufacturers. Third, purchasing frequency significantly influenced on the attitudes toward counterfeits finally, higher brand loyalty group had more negative attitudes and lower purchasing intention toward counterfeits than other groups. Based on these results, prevention marketing strategies of counterfeit goods would be provided.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.145-161
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• 2024

This study explored how perceived value-specifically self-expressive, emotional, and utilitarian values-experienced by consumers at luxury fashion brand pop-up stores influenced their sharing intentions. Additionally, it examined how the level of immersion in the pop-up store and brand attachment act as moderators and mediators in these relationships. An online survey was conducted among women in their 20s and 30s residing in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon, who had visited luxury fashion brand pop-up stores. A total of 307 responses were analyzed using the SPSS statistical program, incorporating factor analysis, regression analysis, and tests for moderation and mediation effects. The study found that all dimensions of perceived value-self-expressivesignificantly impacted consumers' sharing intentions. Moreover, immersion levels at the pop-up stores significantly moderated the relationship between these values and sharing intentions, while brand attachment mediated this relationship. The research concludes that luxury fashion brand pop-up stores are an effective marketing strategy offering various consumer values that encourage sharing behavior. The findings provide valuable insights for luxury brands in formulating strategies that enhance emotional connections with consumers and amplify voluntary promotional efforts.