The Musings Of An Opinionated Sod [Help Me Grow!]


Money Doesn’t Buy You Class …

For all the shit I get about my fashion, music and gadget tastes, at least it comes from a place of actually liking and valuing the stuff.

The reason I say this is that a while back, I wrote a bunch of posts about vulgar displays of wealth.

I talked about a Merc that had been covered in diamonds.

And a gated community that wouldn’t let anyone – even family members – enter without a prior appointment.

And a TV that cost over US$130,000.

In all cases, it says more about the ego/stupidity of the creator than any positive influence they so desperately seek from those around them.

[That’s why from an ad perspective, I still think the Bentley approach beat the ‘classic’ David Ogilvy Rolls Royce approach, despite the ridiculously good headline]

But as much as we know there’s far worse than the things I highlighted above, I recently was sent a picture of possibly the most vulgar display or wealth – and taste – I’ve ever seen.

Even worse than the choices of the entire Kardashian family put together.

This …

Yes, it’s a Lamborghini.

With a huge, unsubtle Supreme sticker on the door.

Topped off with – in what is an act of genius or a mental health issue – a Peppa Pig head.

WHAT?

WHY?

Isn’t the Lamborghini enough?

Has owning a supercar become so mainstream that you have to put the logo of a skateboard brand on it to make it look cool?

Even if that is the case – and Supreme are an amazing case study for both the new rules of luxury and fan management [as covered in our America In The Raw book/presentation] – what the hell does Peppa Pig add?

Is it because it shows you have so much money you literally don’t give a shit what people think about you?

Is it because it lets you show you have so much cash you can piss on the sort of thing most people could only dream of owning by covering it in the sort of thing they don’t want to own.

Or is it because Peppa Pig is the biggest diva of all of them?

Whatever the reason, the owner deserves either the gold medal for money madness or a chair in the face … though to be honest, given they make me almost look financially responsible, maybe I should be shaking them by the hand,


29 Comments so far
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I bet when you first saw that car your first thought was “goals”.

Comment by DH

hes ordering one now. the fucking asshole.

Comment by andy@cynic

My first thought when I read this post was “wifi cup”.

Comment by DH

I DO NOT HAVE A WIFI CUP!!!

Comment by Rob

you fucking bought one. the fact you got ripped off doesnt take that away.

Comment by andy@cynic

After reading this post I was going to tell you about a book I thought you’d like, then I saw this.

https://instagram.com/p/Bk_tyDUgt8S/

Not only have you got it, it seems you didn’t pay for it which is another sign of the wealthy. Those who don’t need it, get it. For free. (Sorry Robert, good post though)

Comment by Pete

You’ve taken your time, but welcome to the comment dark side.

Comment by DH

fuck me, petes finally become a snarky little bitch. nice work.

Comment by andy@cynic

Thanks for pointing that out Pete. Thanks a lot.

Comment by Rob

Is the book good? I read about it in this weekends Guardian and it sounded fascinating. Of course you already have it and got it for free.
Pete did some great research on wealth a few years ago. He identified a group that I think he called “the reluctantly wealthy”. I very much doubt they will appear in your book.

Comment by George

I remember that … would be good to see it.

And you’re right, no one of that description will be in this book. One person said …

“American evolved to judging people just by how much money they have. Morals serve as an obstacle to achieving that goal.”

Jesus …

Comment by Rob

I’ll send it to you Robert.

Comment by Pete

Get wit da programme. Peppa is da shit.

Comment by Chikashi

shes more diva than mariah.

Comment by andy@cynic

You mean Peppa is shit.

Comment by Rob

ive seen shit of yours that has been uglier and a bigger fucking waste of money. for fucks sake, you thought buying a fucking windmill was a good idea. twat.

Comment by andy@cynic

The windmill was not a waste of money.
Potent_Pixel was a waste of money,

Comment by Rob

fuck you. it was gold if it wasnt for that fucker from big brother. rip.

Comment by andy@cynic

So tell me more about the Supreme case study and make this post worth reading.

Comment by John

It was the most desired brand among teens all across America. Even the stickers had social currency. For a brand with only 11 stores [though with a market value bigger than Abercrombie with almost 900] that’s impressive … but it also highlights how the internet is changing the accessibility [at least in terms of knowledge] of what is cool and desirable.

Comment by Rob

Scarcity is the true luxury. And word of mouth is always good at exaggerating that.

But I’m not fully convinced by the comparison with Abercrombie because Supreme doesn’t really have a market value as it’s not a public stock.

Comment by John

I don’t know if it’s scarcity …

Sure there’s only 11 stores, so there’s a natural limitation of stock … but it’s generally much more accessible than the old school version of luxury.

As for it’s value, don’t blame me, blame the WSJ:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-streetwear-brand-supreme-is-worth-1-billion-and-abercrombie-isnt-1508331601

Comment by Rob

I know where the valuation comes from – a hedge fund buying into it. But that’s not public market. Hedge funds bought into Theranos too.

Comment by John

As for accessibility, why do they have overnight queues when they announce new lines?

Comment by John

That’s more to do with stock control, not price control.

Comment by Rob

Stock control = scarcity.

Comment by John

I didn’t recognize the 5th Horseman of the Apocolypse. War, Famine, Conquest, Death and now Fucktard

Comment by Hilton B

keep up the fucking sarcasm and you might have potential on here.

Comment by andy@cynic




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