Boom and Bust

Abstract

This chapter discusses years of “boom” and “bust” with reference to globalization, fashion and luxury. It argues that during a period of economic prosperity Tatler promoted an identity of (female) restraint through the consumption of symbolic goods to secure distinction, while also celebrating the more excessive bling-bling in the new millennium. While female and male hedonism and excess was lauded, this was shown as performative, and it argues that what has been seen as vulgar when applied to working-class women, here becomes a symbol of admiration. Implicitly class is seen a “natural”, a denial of the “normative performative”. Representations of wealth, luxury and excess draw attention to the way groups mark themselves as exclusive; the concepts of time and space were important in defining luxury. The response to the financial crash examines insider reports, which suggested the fault lay with individuals, not with neoliberalism. Some features suggested the impact on the wealthy was more assumed than actual.