Life's little luxuries in big demand

WHEN times get tough, women surround themselves with beautiful things.
During World War II, lipstick was promoted as a product that would help satisfy women's desire for luxurious things. It was termed the "Lipstick indicator" and economists have since noted how the sale of small luxuries can increase during uncertain economic times.
This year, despite global economic concerns, women are still finding comfort in life's little luxuries.

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Brisbane-based interior designer Anna Spiro said: "My opinion is that people always find comfort in their home; home is where the heart is.
"At times like these, where everyone's eating at home instead of eating out, or staying at home instead of taking a holiday, people want to make their home their sanctuary; they want to surround themselves with beautiful things at home.

"Rather than going out, people are finding joy and value in spending a little money making their home a beautiful and happy place.
"The financial stuff aside, we're finding the demand for beautiful interior things is huge and we've got customers from all over the country and the world saying, 'Wow, Brisbane has got some beautiful stuff.'"
Ms Spiro, who owns Black & Spiro at New Farm and launched a blog, Absolutely Beautiful Things, in 2006, is a few weeks away from launching her website.
"While there's a lot of competition online for beautiful homewares and furniture, there's also a lot of competition from buyers keen to get their hands on that beautiful one-off lamp. They may be feeling down about the economy - but they have to have that beautiful lamp," Ms Spiro said.
At 18, Jess Bandiera is learning first-hand about the demand for items of beauty.
Since starting her own online homewares, furniture and home decor business JessieLauren.com.au in April, the ambitious teen has had to drop from full-time to part-time in her job at Vivien's Model Management in the central business district to cope with the demands of the site.
In two weeks she will launch her own fashion line, which she will also sell via Jessie Lauren.
With clients from places as far-flung as New York, Ms Bandiera said it was obvious tough times could not dampen the love for beautiful things.
"I think especially when people are feeling worried about the economy, they want to feel good about themselves," she said.
"They want to feel beautiful and whether that comes from a gorgeous top or a pretty vase, it makes them feel good, so they splash out." Ms Bandiera said that she was conscious of keeping to a price point with her clothes and her homewares.
"I want people of all ages to be able to afford my things. As an 18-year-old, that's something I can understand.
"At the moment, the majority of my clients are in that 35- to 45-year age bracket and they're mainly buying the home decor to make their homes beautiful."
On the Gold Coast, customers of online fabric shop owner Susie Wren are stocking up on pretty fabrics which they use to make their own cushions, curtains and artwork.
"We still want to surround ourselves with beautiful things, such as gorgeous cushions - but these things are expensive. Not everyone can afford to spend $150 on a single cushion," Ms Wren said.
"I get ladies buying small amounts of expensive designer fabrics to sew into their own cushions at a fraction of the price.
"If they have any scraps left over, they can create their own artwork out of it.
"There really has been a resurgence of women coming back to craft, sewing and the like, to try to save money, while still getting their fill of pretty things."
Ms Wren, who started her shop ijustlovethatfabric.com.au in 2008, is planning to open a shopfront - but she admits now is probably not the time. "The economy is a bit shaky to be opening a new shop I feel, although I do want to do it eventually," she said.
"At the moment, I'm doing well and am very busy just working online with my customers. The demand for beautiful things is still high but my customers want to do it in a more creative and inexpensive way."

Source http://www.smh.com.au/