Here we are (thanks to Getty Images) on the town last night to celebrate the International Herald Tribune Herritage Luxury Conference. It’s not really the point of this blog to gab on about parties (unless we’re talking noteworthy décor of course) but… I had really wanted to meet the uber cool and legendary Suzy Menkes, whose book on the Windsors was a very early purchase when I began my library years ago.
Of course she is a great friend of Nicky’s so it was lovely for them to see one another too.
I really like how she phrased her wording when interviewed about this conference, and what she is espousing: ’Heritage Branding’:
“Heritage is what movie makers call ‘the back story’. It is about where you come from, your roots and the essence of what you stand for. This is so relevant and pertinent to luxury companies. They need to look back in order to spring forward. ‘Authenticity’ is more than a buzz-word. It represents true values. The word ‘luxury’ has been banded around so freely that it needs to be re-examined. By looking at the heritage of a company, you are looking not just at core products, but about the emotion that is engendered at the heart of brand.”
Exactly Ms Menkes…SUBSTANCE, now that’s what I’m talkin’ about, and looking back to spring forward – EXACTLY! Emotion at the heart of a brand – yes…bring it on girl!
What, dear reader, is your idea of substance and ‘heritage branding’?
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I think this is one of the most important posts I have read in some time.
Why?
The question you ask: “What….is your idea or substance and ‘heritage branding.’”
Can the two even exist without each other? I think not.
So now, right now, as I prepare a minestrone soup and eggplant parmigiana for dinner, you “really got me” thinking about my heritage and how it relates to my life and art. And I thank you.
Here, from a much longer poem:
Mary Queen of Scots
It is rumored from whom
I am descended, it says here
Questa famiglia originaria della Scoizia
E nobilissima in molte citta,
Ed e divisa in molti rami
The Barone family, my family
Originated from Scotland
Mary’s son King James VI of Scotland
Became King James I of England
King James great grand daughter married
The King of Itlay
It is noble in many cities and
Is divided into many branches it
Had many fiefs and illustrious men in court
In the magistrature, in the army
And in the church it was
Conferred high chivalrous honors and
Was vested with the holy orders
Of Malta from the 15th Century
It includes, as branches, the Counts
Of Casola and the Marchesi di Liveri
The title was granted in 1710
To the celebrated literary figure Domenico
Director, San Carlo Opera, Naples
Praised even by Giambattista Vico
In an assembly of praise of him
Made by the Academitrician in 1735
The family is listed in the Registry of Neopolitan
Feudal families and numbered among
The patricians of the Republic of Marino
The Republic was represented in Lisbon
By the Court of Casola and Marchese di Liveri
By Napoleon Barone son of Marchese Pasquale
Who had as his grandmother Maria Filomarina
Of the Principality of Bocca
Title to Alfrede Domenico Barone
Held from 1869-1952 also as the Count
Of Casoli in the Registry of Nobility
Melchizadek descendant of Pasquale
And likewise Alfred my father
Or so the story goes there is
A castle and a title
Or at the very least a story
That belongs to me in Italy
I create to know
Well that is a thought. I come from both high and low places. The high gave me a beautiful education and surroundings, the low kept me real. I must say I got more love from the low, but I am still glad for high exposure. The way it affects my work is that I respond to what I love, even nobody else is listening. I do for myself, what I tell my children to do-follow your bliss. When things are terrible I tell myself and them to be the best person you can be in the moment, even when all hell is breaking loose. Authentic is the new buzz word. Its scares me. How do people strategize authenticity. It is an oxymoron and brand talk gibberish. You’ve either got it right, or you don’t.
Best,
Liz
Oops! I left out a word and can’t edit. Forgive me, the phone rang!
wow - cool. Where is the poem from? And DD i dont think of Authenticity as scary - i think of it as inspiring - looking for the ‘back story’, and wanting to ‘feel’ greater depth to our creations and decisions. Anyway - you’ve clearly ‘got it right’! thanks for the comments.c
The excerpt is from a long poem I wrote 6, 7, maybe 8 years ago. My brother and I continue to peer into out family history.
Meanwhile, I continue to contemplate “heritage branding.”
BB….meanwhile, i continue to contemplate your poem.
Wonderful blog, great post! I may borrow Suzy Menkes’ quote from you (fully credited back to your blog, of course) ~
Of course you may!