Luxury Labels Flaunt Green Cred

Welcome back, ridiculous $1 million-plus offerings!

(NEWSER) - Well, the economy must be getting better: Neiman Marcus has returned to the practice of putting $1 million-and-higher items in its annual Christmas catalog. Specifically, you can have Dale Chihuly transform your swimming pool into a work of art for $1.5 million. Last year, such items were bumped from the catalog in favor of slightly more budget-friendly fare ... like a $250,000 two-seater plane. More»

From food to handbags, high-cost items are suffering

(NEWSER) - Hundred-dollar melons and pricey designer handbags used to sell so well in Japan that companies considered luxury goods a mass-market sector. But while the Japanese kept on shopping through previous recessions, this one has produced a sea change. The luxury industry has been hard hit, and the change may be permanent, the New York Times reports. The local version of Wal-Mart, in the red for seven years, is finally on track to turn a profit this year. More»

Affluent Americans still snapping up fancy watches, jewelry

(NEWSER) - If America’s economy is failing, at least it’s going down in style. Sales of luxury goods have been surprisingly strong this year, despite the overarching economic gloom, the Wall Street Journal reports. Brands such as Hermès and Burberry have seen double-digit growth, as Americans continue to snap up expensive jewelry, Swiss watches, and French scarves, and fast-growing developing economies produce more wealthy buyers. More»

Tiffany's must police their own mark, decides federal court

(NEWSER) - A US judge ruled today that eBay had taken sufficient steps to stop the sale of fake Tiffany jewelry, the Wall Street Journal reports. Ruling on a suit filed by the New York-based jeweler, the judge deemed Tiffany responsible for monitoring its trademark. It was a pivotal victory for eBay, which has been forced to pay millions to luxury-goods makers in Europe. More»

10 luxury ways to cut carbon waste

(NEWSER) - You don't have to give up the high life to be green. Forbes finds 10 luxurious ways to reduce your carbon footprint:

1. Wear cashmere at home so you can turn down the thermostat.
2. Buy carbon offsets for your private jet.
3. Drive a hybrid Cadillac Escalade SUV.
4. Use occasional perfumed candles instead of lights.