Being Leader in the Luxury Market. from the Early Modern to the 21st Century

Condemned because morally "pernicious" and therefore carefully regulated in Medieval and Early Medieval Europe; re-evaluated in the 18th century because of its positive impact on the economy and its close correlation with «the sociable virtues, the humanity, the perfection of the arts, the glory of the Nations»; leading sector of the current Italian economy. Luxury has always aroused interest among historians, and will be the topic of four lectures in our PhD.
The analysis of some case studies will allow a close understand of the tastes, the culture and the strategies that regulated the demand for luxury goods. Attention will be also paid to the challenges faced in the luxury market in the Early Modern and to the contemporary luxury industry.
The lectures are intended to raise awareness of the historical changes that have involved luxury over the last six centuries. Particular attention will be paid to the analysis of the historiographical debate