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This Is What True Luxury Really Looks Like—According to AI

The conflict China-USA brings new paradigms about what luxury really is. AI tools like DeepSeek, ChatGPT, and Grok now offer insights into authentic luxury.

Por: Raquel Seijas
Travel experiences like Savute Elephant Lodge, A Belmond Safari, Botswana / Photo Mike Eloff & Carlinn Meyer /Belmond
Travel experiences like Savute Elephant Lodge, A Belmond Safari, Botswana / Photo Mike Eloff & Carlinn Meyer /Belmond

The tariff war, now in a truce, revealed that many “luxury” products were not actually exclusive. Rather, they were produced in Chinese factories instead of “Made in Italy” or “Made in France.”

 

This brings new paradigms about what luxury really is. AI tools like DeepSeek, ChatGPT, and Grok now offer insights into authentic luxury.

Races with vintage cars / Photo Bentley
Races with vintage cars like the Bentley Speed Six / Photo Bentley

The European Commission’s 2021 trade data shows China’s exports of “luxury materials” (fine leather, silk) to France and Italy surged 72% pre-tariffs. Why? Because globalization taught brands a brutal truth: Consumers pay for the “dream” of craftsmanship, not its reality, reveals DeepSeek.

So where does that leave us? What is luxury?

True luxury in 2025 is about discernment—choosing what aligns with your identity and values. It’s an investment in meaning, not materialism, sourced from creators who honor their craft and the world around them (Grok).

 

True luxury today transcends mere opulence or material wealth; it embodies a sense of rarity, authenticity, and meaningful experience. In a world where tariffs and global supply chains have blurred the lines of exclusivity, genuine luxury finds its roots not solely in expensive products, but in the narratives and values they represent (ChatGPT).

Exploring the Constantia Winelands on the "Wild Wine Adventure" in Mount Nelson / Photo Erika Hobart/Belmond
Exploring the Constantia Winelands on the "Wild Wine Adventure" in Mount Nelson / Photo Erika Hobart/Belmond

While DeepSeek states that True luxury today is about discernment—knowing that real value lies beyond branding, in things that cannot be outsourced or mass-produced. It is the antithesis of fast fashion and disposable wealth. In a world of overpriced illusions, true luxury is authenticity.

Craftmanship and heritage: stories, not logos

  • Tradition: The essence of true luxury lies in craftsmanship, heritage, and sustainability. High-quality craftsmanship, often linked to centuries-old traditions, ensures durability, uniqueness, and soul—qualities that mass-produced items cannot replicate. Sustainable sourcing and ethical production further elevate luxury, aligning with values of responsibility and respect for the environment and artisans (ChatGPT).

 

  • Artisan Mastery: The finest leather goods from small Italian ateliers, Japanese hand-forged knives, or Swiss independent watchmakers who produce fewer than 100 pieces a year. These items are made by true masters, not assembly lines (DeepSeek).

 

  • Stories: True luxury originates from rarity, heritage, and ethical production. It’s found in bespoke creations by artisans who pour decades of skill into their work, like a hand-stitched leather suitcase from a small Italian atelier or a custom timepiece from a Swiss watchmaker. These items carry stories, not just logos (Grok).

Curated experiences: enriching life’s journey

  • Emotional impact: Luxury also lies in curated experiences—private vineyard tours in Bordeaux, chartering a yacht to explore the Amalfi Coast, or dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant with a months-long waitlist. These moments are exclusive not because of cost but because of their uniqueness and emotional impact. (Grok)

 

  • Enriching life: An investment in experiences becomes paramount. Rare travel to untouched landscapes, private art collection additions, or personalized wellness retreats offer intangible yet lasting value. These investments enrich life’s journey, fostering memories rooted in authenticity rather than transient trends. (ChatGPT)

 

  • Moments: Private vineyard tours in Bordeaux, bespoke safaris in Botswana, or a seat on a suborbital spaceflight. These are moments that cannot be replicated.  Billionaires now commission ‘anti-AI’ experiences: private concerts with Yo-Yo Ma, or handwritten letters from Nobel laureates. The ultimate luxury? Attention from those who cannot be bought. (DeepSeek)
Timepieces from F.P. Journe Limited Editions / Photo: Philippe Auctions
Timepieces from F.P. Journe Limited Editions / Photo: Philippe Auctions

Rarity, not marketing

Scarcity: Bordeaux’s 2022 vintage yielded 30% less wine due to climate shocks—driving prices up 200% for “authentic” bottles. Scarcity, not marketing, dictates value. 

 

Luxury should not be disposable. Investing in ethically sourced materials (e.g., conflict-free diamonds, responsibly harvested rare woods) ensures long-term value.  (Deepseek)

Where to spend on?

Spend on: Custom-tailored clothing, limited-edition art, and ultra-exclusive travel.  Invest in: Rare vintage wines, independent watchmakers (like F.P. Journe), and land in untouched locations (e.g., Patagonia, Icelandic retreats).  (DeepSeek)

 

Spend on products like limited-edition art from emerging global artists or sustainable, handcrafted furniture from local designers. Invest in services that enrich life: private wellness retreats, personalized education from top mentors, or real estate in culturally rich, stable regions like Tuscany or Kyoto. (Grok)

 

Ultimately, true luxury resides in authenticity, uniqueness, and the capacity to enrich one’s life ethically and meaningfully. It’s about owning fewer, better things and investing in experiences that deepen personal growth and cultural appreciation. (Grok)

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