People Divulge The Luxury Brands That Only The Super Rich Know About
Reddit user Halyycon asked: 'What are the “quiet” luxury brands that only the super rich know about?'
We all have brands or companies that we might admire from afar (or at the very least via their website or catalog), but know we will likely never shop there ourselves.
For the simple reason that their products and merchandise are simply out of our price range.
As a result, we may find ourselves like Holly Golightly at Tiffany's while window shopping, but never actually making a purchase.
However, there are some brands that are so luxurious, that even catalog or window shopping is out of the question.
As they are not only luxurious but also exclusive, only a certain few even know of their existence.
Redditor Halyycon10 was curious to learn about any and all of the luxury brands that cater exclusively to the wealthiest people on earth, leading them to ask:
"What are the 'quiet' luxury brands that only the super rich know about?"
Allow Me To Take You Upstairs...
"An Italian friend arranged a visit to a Murano glass gallery."
"After the general public cleared out of the public showroom, the gallery's people took us up some stairs to the 'real deal' gallery with shelves full of breathtaking art pieces."
"We admired one vase on a shelf, but were told that it would never be offered for sale -- it was too important as part of the island's legacy & heritage."
"I think that the way we zeroed in on it somehow convinced them that we were top art dealers "'in stealth mode'."
"For the rest of the afternoon, we were treated like VIPs."
"What a day that was...."-- funhousefrankenstein
Uncharted Territory
"I work in the Luxury Travel industry."
"I know quite a few."
"Exclusive Resorts is an invite-only membership club for very high-end travel."
"They don’t post their prices online, but I know people that work there."
"They have personal cell phone numbers for people like Jeff Bezos, Waltons, and people that live at that stratospheric titan of industry level."
"Their cheapest membership package is $100,000 to join, and can run up to $250,000."
"That’s just the price to join the club."
"You have to pay for any travel you want to book on top of that."
"They have a $600M portfolio of properties they own throughout the world, that only their members have access to."
"Want to guarantee availability for a finish-line view villa in Monaco during the Grand Prix?"
"Want to get a ski-in cabin next to the Walton’s cabin in Aspen over Christmas?"
"Want a luxury penthouse in Paris during fashion week?"
"These are your guys."
"They cap their membership at 3,000 people, so you may have to wait for a long time until you can get in."
"Another interesting one: White Desert is your tour operator of choice if you want a private expedition with your buddies to the South Pole."
"Their packages can run $100,000+ per person for a private jet to their base camp on the Antarctica plateau and then another custom-build ski-plane transfer to their camp on the South Pole."- El_mochilero
GiphyNothing More Valuable Than A Good Night's Sleep...
"Duxiana."
"For people who can buy a mattress that costs as much as a car."- Hot-Dress-3369
A Perfect Fit...
"Tailors on Saville Row."
"Wealthy people get their clothes custom made."- mecyh
Nothing To Give It Away...
"I had a rich friend once tell me that Gucci is what poor people think rich people wear."
"Since then I noticed that all of her clothes fit perfect, but she never has logos on anything."- hoptownky
gucci GIF GiphyThese Boots Might NOT Be Made For Walking...
"John Lobb bootmaker in St James."
"Make beautiful handmade shoes for royalty, celebrities and rich types."
"They are well known but not a household name."- queenirv
Free For All...
"I used to be of the opinion that really wealthy people wore stuff that you wouldn't really notice, but disappointingly (having spent some time around folks with extreme wealth recently), the true answer is just: whatever the hell they like."
"If someone really liked branded gear before they were wealthy, you'd better believe they're going to be dressed like Ali G once they make it big."- AvaRCordero
Pay Up To Dress Down...
"Jeff Goldblum was on the Conan podcast and talked about where he got his jeans."
"It was from this hard-to-find shop in New York that not many people had heard of.
Come to find out, not surprisingly, their jeans are insanely expensive, and only the very rich could afford them." - Reddit
Jeans Pants GIF by Post Malone GiphyFor All Your Million Dollar Needs...
"Buy a copy of The Robb Report magazine at a bookstore and marvel at the insane ads in the back for private jets, yacht brokers, military level trained personal protection Belgian Malinois guardian dogs, personal protection security firms staffed by former US Secret Service and retired Tier 1 operators only in their early 40s and fit with 20 years experience, and even crazier stuff."
"Pfft buying a $400 pair of jeans is pedestrian when you have Taylor Swift money and roll in 2 fully armored Escalades and are escorted on errands by a phalanx of guys in black polo shirts and jeans who have been places and done things in sandy countries that are still classified."- scots
Cruisin...
"Amels."
"They are one of the best super yacht manufacturers in the world with over 100 years of experience."- theassassintherapist
Before You Show Off That Logo...
"Almost all of the well known luxury brands have several lines. "
"The ones with logos all over them are typically the cheapest (I’m looking at you LV, Gucci) etc. which is why they’re so common."
"The same companies will have more exclusive lines that are much more expensive, usually more classic in style, and they’re not covered in logos, so you’d never know what brand they are unless you’re really into that kind of thing."
"For example, my wife wanted to buy me a nice wallet, so we went to the LV shop."
"I liked one that had no logo on the exterior of it, just simple grey leather, and it cost twice as much as the ones with 'LV' stamped all over them."- ToothbrushGames
Black Friday Christmas GIF by FOX TV Giphy
People Go Nuts For Interior Design
"Zuber & Co."
"Crazy expensive wallpaper and room dividers/panels."
"I love old rococo and baroque things so happed to walk by their store in NYC."
"Stopped in due to the patterns and quickly realized I do in-fact NOT have thousands of dollars per ft for wallpaper."
"For example $5,000 - $30,000 per panel."- Reddit
It's About Time
"When I met my wife she worked selling high end watches."
"Talking about it on our first date I said ‘oh like Rolex and stuff?’"
"She said ‘Rolex customers are just new money, drug dealers and old men'."
"'If people contact us wanting one we just direct them to a watch shop'."
"Then rattled off a list of about 10 makers I’d never heard of which her international clients would fly here just to try on."
"I was wearing a Luminox at the time which I thought was pretty badass but all of a sudden I felt like a kid running around with that gadget from Ben 10."- StrangledByTheAux
As the saying goes, "if you have to ask, you can't afford it!"
Though it must be said, there is also absolutely NOTHING wrong with shopping for watches at a watch shop.
When I was little, I used to imagine all the things I would buy if I were a billionaire: a fancy car with a driver to go with it (because I was too young to drive back then), a huge mansion with 50 bedrooms, and a personal chef who would cook me pizza anytime I wanted.
While those aren’t the things I want anymore (well, I still do want the house… and the driver), I still have a list of things I would buy if I were a billionaire.
Redditors do as well, and they’re ready to share what the first things on those lists.
It all started when Redditor TrinityLisbon asked:
“If you suddenly became a billionaire, what's the first thing you would buy?”
Some people chose decadence.
The Good Life
“Someone to rub my feet while I eat $5,000 lobster tails drenched in truffle butter.”
– 8inchSalvattore
Spend It All In One Place
"I’m finally gonna try that Avocado toast I’ve heard so much about."
– Tigerchestnut13
"Aaaaaand it’s gone"
– Woolbuckle
Eat And Eat And Eat
"If we were to say literally the first thing, I’m thinking a crazy expensive dinner. I live in NYC. There would be something freeing about walking into a Michelin star restaurant and buying a $500pp tasting menu maybe with another $200pp wine pairing plus dessert, and not caring about the cost. I would drop several grand on an amazing meal and not think twice about it."
– Runningaroundnyc
"From the perspective of a lifelong cook who's tired of figuring out what to make for supper, I'd hire a top notch chef and not deal with having to prepare meals, ever. Enjoy amazing food all the time."
– DamnDame
Others were ready with the humor.
What Kind?
"House"
– HuguenotPirate
"Yes! The House of Representatives! Maybe the Senate too…"
– NorthNorthAmerican
"I feel like Hugh Laurie is still worth more than that"
– Flimsy_Finger4291
A Lot Of Green
"I would go do a mega grocery shop. Buy like four heads of broccoli."
– butt-sandwich
"Baller. Stop stuntin' on us."
– OHPAORGASMR
"I think you could afford to splurge a little bit..."
"You can finally buy some lettuce!"
– ApricotPenguin
A Whole Country!
"Italy. Definitely Italy"
– honeydewslayer
"You would buy Italy? I'm not an expert but I think it would cost more than a billion."
– MatureHotwife
Some were practical.
My Shiny Teeth And Me
"I'd fix my teeth. Buy a new roof."
– GeekyBookWorm87
"Teeth are my first lottery win priority as well. I’m lucky I have dental insurance- but I still can’t afford the copays on the major work I need done. That and the anxiety I have around being in a dentist chair. With too much money to care what it would cost I could hire a good cosmetic dentist that could put me under twilight anesthesia and I’d wake up and be done with it."
– Taxitaxitaxi33
Pay It Off
"Debt. Pay off all my and my family’s debt, mortgages, credit cards etc Then I’d pay off my friends and keep going Then I’d buy myself something nice"
– azmr_x_3
The Real Necessities
"The first thing I'd buy if I became a billionaire would be a personal assistant to help me manage all of my newfound wealth. And maybe a lifetime supply of pizza, because let's face it, money can't buy happiness, but it can buy pizza, which is pretty close."
– Azekan7370
Still others were thinking of all the good deeds the money could do.
Education Above All
"Start a school for students from low socioeconomic backgrounds who have the drive to succeed. Remove as many barriers to their academic success as possible and track their outcomes. Small classes, full lab activities, teaching assistants, nutrition and health support…coaches, subject specialist teachers, arts programs… I would need a strong team to plan, organize, develop a program. I’ve considered this for a while"
– troutinthemilk
For Those Who Need It
"My state collects $25 million per year for bus fares. First thing I'd do is pay all bus fares for the next 10 years. I figure that will help with global warming, traffic, cleaner air, less oil wars and decrease the power of people like the ones who caused 9/11 and the invasion of Ukraine."
"And most of all, would put money in the pockets of the people who need it most. Thus it would be a great contributor to state commerce."
"Plus, I'd offer double that amount to expand bus service thruout more of my state."
– Adventurous_Oil_5805
Many Thanks (To Family)
"I'd buy my parents their dream ranch. I owe them the world."
– thespeculatorinator2
"My mum a house"
– Key-Ad-264
"I'd buy my mom and my MIL and myself and my bros a house."
– MangoBanana2012
"That house is gonna be crowded"
– ThunderAndSadness
But of course, there's nothing wrong with using money to make life a little bit easier.
No More Chores
"Hire a housekeeper, nutritionist, chef & personal trainer. That way I always have a clean home, tasty nutritious meals & a really personalized workout plan"
– theimpetusme
“I'd get a chauffeur too. I f*cking hate driving.”
– LatexHorseboy
Now those are people who know how to live!
What would you do with the money? Let us know in the comments below!
Rich People Privileges That They Don't Realize Are Actually A Privilege
It's the little things we take for granted.
Buying a cup of coffee from our corner bodega, going to a movie every now and again, and choosing to take a taxi instead of the subway.
Things that seem trivial to us, but are a luxury to others.
Who worries if they spend that $3.50 on a cup of coffee that they won't have enough to pay this month's rent or electricity bill?
A lot of folks.
Even people who don't live in the height of luxury tend to overlook that they live a privileged life in the grand scheme of things.
A life many others deeply envy.
"What privilege do rich people have that they don’t understand is actually a privilege?"
When You Don't Have To Stop And Think
"Been very very poor and now comfortable."
"Not having to worry about bills is something I think rich people will never understand until it happens to them."
"It was awful trying to decide who to pay and dealing with the ones we couldn't pay."
"The stress was absolutely horrific."- CurvePuzzleheaded361
"I honestly just can't imagine a world where money wasn't a constant ache in the back of my mind."
"Gotta pay rent, gotta pay for food, car broke down time to empty our savings again and eat ramen for a month."
"So I'd say the privilege they're least aware of is not having that sword of destitution around every corner constantly dangling over their head."- Magic_Man_Boobs
"Having to check how much you have in your bank account before going into a store."- Reddit
Having The Law On Your Side
"Being able to afford good legal representation."- evmarshall
"Access to a competent lawyer who has time for them."- Dad_Bod_Gain_Train
Not Needing To Contribute To The Family.
"Comfortably doing an unpaid internship as a student."- SuvenPan
The Luxury Of Choice
"Chasing your dreams."- TheClayroo
"Privilege to fail and have a fallback."- AssistantFew7109
"Having money to fix whatever is wrong in your life."
"Having options and choices."- Historical_Ride8963
No Planning For The Week
"Being able to eat something different all the time."- probably_kitsch
Never Being Cold
"Being able to have the heating on 24/7."- Hip_wizard
It's All In Their Behavior...
"As someone who grew up poor, went to a rich private college on scholarship."
"Understanding the norms of upper middle and upper-class life."
"Poor people raise their kids with different values, ways of talking, ways of thinking, accents, different skills etc."
"It was a steep learning curve for me."- miltonfriedman2028
When You Can Hire Someone Else...
"Not having to worry about little things that take up poorer people's days."
"ie yard work, shoveling snow, cleaning the house."- Cynicole24
Not Living In Fear
"Freedom from the constant overhanging worry about money."- The_Safe_For_Work
"Never being afraid some unexpected expense will cripple your entire livelihood and possibly destroy it entirely."- Wimbleston
It's also rather ironic that the number of people who never bat an eye about spending any sum of money almost always feel bad for themselves about something.
Making them in need of an even bigger reality check than they were already entitled to.
Who doesn't dream of becoming super wealthy?
Being taken everywhere in a stretch limousine, having a personal chef cook you 5 star dinners every night, owning homes on every continent, and shelling out thousands of dollars as if it were pocket change.
Surprising as it may seem, there are some people who have so much money to burn, that buying out Disney World for a birthday party or taking a flight on a whim might actually be a reality.
Just ask the people who work for them.
"People who cater to the super rich; What things have you seen?"
Not Everyone Shows Off Their Wealth
"My grandfather died with a 20 million dollar portfolio."
"He lived in a 1 bedroom condo that was build in the 50s, drove a rusted out honda, and his entire wardrobe came from Walmart and was 10 years old."
"At his will reading, a bunch of distant relatives showed up hoping to get a piece."
"In his will, he made fun of all of them, then spent 10 pages detailing how and where he wanted all of his money donated to specific charities and foundations."
"Some of it was even really surprising, as nobody besides him was aware that he casually owned 160 acres of land in Vermont that was just forest."
"The land was donated to a land trust, and turned into hiking trails."- ndisa44
One Room Isn't Enough
"I briefly worked with one of the top Saudi Arabian crown princes in the 80’s."
"He would buy out the top three floors of the best hotels, Four Seasons etc."
"Two floors were for maids/help/security, top floor was for the Royal family."
"Once it was only the prince and his three wives."
"Crazy sh*t."- Elysian-Visions
A Garage Won't Suffice...
"I used to work for a billionaire Russian family as a tutor for their daughter."
"One day we’re in her room studying and suddenly she yells 'daddy’s home!' and runs to the window."
"She’d heard a helicopter and knew is was about to land on the lawn."- DiscombobulatedBabu
Helicopter Republiccoachella GIF by Republic RecordsGiphyFree For All!
"My dad used to work for a private air field."
"They had a ton of people fly in but most of the more richer clients always flew in at night."
"I remember one time in high school, I had to do a 'job shadow' thing and went to work with my dad."
"They had the owner of a California air port fly in for the weekend."
"My job was to stand outside with an umbrella."
"So I stood outside with the umbrella."
"His wife tipped me 20 dollars and said 'the sandwich trays are real silver, have at it kid'."
"After they got in their car, I asked my dad what she meant."
"Apparently, when some richer folks fly, they let the people who detail their planes have the platters and other serving items."
"I always wondered how we got so many weird serving trays."
"Another time when I visited him at work I got to hold an albino kangaroo."
"Most adorable and softest animal I've ever touched."- eggtasticness
Pbs Nature Kangaroo GIF by Nature on PBSGiphyAnd Yet They Probably Still Wan't More Room...
"My dad's client bought a whole block of houses to build theirs."
'It is so wide that they installed a moving walkway like the ones at airports."- atot806
Most Curious As To What Was In The Briefcase And Backpack...
"Worked graveyards as a valet at an ultra luxury boutique hotel."
"It's quite shocking how some of these people live and you'd never have a clue by just looking at them on the street."
"One weekday night I was asked at 2am by a guest to bring around his Bentley."
"Regular looking dude came out with a backpack, got in and left."
"Not 30 min later the same dude pulls up in a Ferrari and now has a briefcase instead of backpack."
"Skip ahead an hour and the same guy orders 5 shot glasses to his room."
"I go up and it's 2 guys in robes and 2 naked ladies on the couch."
ferrari GIFGiphy"They tip me 50 for the shot glasses and I leave."
"2 hours later, just as the sun was rising, the two guys come out together in suits looking like they were heading to the office."
"The ladies left shortly after." - mcmill27
It's certainly easy to judge and think all these people should put their money to more practical uses or charitable causes.
Before we pass judgment, however, we must stop and think if we were given a check for millions or billions of dollars, would we really not make lavish purchases?
Come on, be honest...
The Most Surprising Things People Discovered After Marrying Someone Poorer Than Them
"For Richer or poorer".
Vows people make to their soon-to-be spouses, though likely hoping their situation will only be "for richer".
Indeed, money remains one of the most divisive issues between two people, even spouses.
Particularly when one spouse came from a far less financially stable upbringing, and thus has very different views on money.
Namely, how to spend it.
As a result, the half of the couple who came from a slightly more stable upbringing begin to learn more and more about their spouse, and how their financial situation changed them.
Not only their spending habits, but their views of the world.
"Rich people of reddit who married someone significantly poorer, what surprised you about their (previous) way of life?"
Planning A Budget
"Making financial decisions based around the three paycheck month."
"If you're paid every two weeks, most months you get two paychecks, and all of your monthly bills and budgeting is based on those two paychecks."
"But twice a year there are three paydays in a month, and that's when you can actually solve problems."
"That's when you can get the car registered, or fix the dryer, or get the cat spayed."
"The other 10 months you're doing maintenance and trying to scrape by."
"Three paycheck months you can actually try to fix problems."- appleciders
Intimidating Food...
"More of a funny incident, but I was the poor one."
"My husband, at the time still boyfriend, took me out to a very nice restaurant."
"Waiter ask if I want pepper on my Caesar salad that was just made table side. I said sure and he goes about it."
"Thing is, I didn’t know you had to say stop."
"My husband slowly realizes this, but decides to see it play out."
"He did eventually say that I need to say stop."
"I just thought a Caesar was had this way as it was my first time even eating a salad that wasn’t just iceberg and ranch dressing."
"It still tasted fine, just a little bit too much pepper haha."- singlewhitewolf
Vegan Vegetables GIF by Dan WoodgerGiphyHow The Other Half Lives
"I was adopted at age 7."
"I lived in extreme poverty and then all of a sudden I lived with a doctor who bought gifts for birthdays and Christmas."
"I didn’t know that was a thing."
"I didn’t know you could go to the store to get food."
"I just thought you went to the church and had to pray before they give you a bag of food."- 0slinedupon24hrclock
Speaking In Code
"When the family had people over for dinner, if they ended the prayer before the meal with 'F. H. B., Amen'."
"It was a signal to let the children know that they don't have enough food for everyone, so take smaller servings and let the guests get a regular serving."
"FHB = 'Family, hold back'."
"They were always generous to their friends and didn't let their lack of funds embarrass themselves when doing so."- Cartoonlad
Classic Conditioning
"Honestly, food insecurity."
"When we were first married she would get visibly uneasy if the food in the house was running low."
"She never overate or anything, she was just always concerned about it."
"A lot of times when she was younger, she went hungry."
"On the humorous side though, she hates camping."
"Her answer is always the same: 'I camped because it was fun, she camped because they couldn't afford hotels'."- r-cubed
It's Always The Little Things
"She and her mother lived with her grandfather to not be homeless because her grandfather owned a house."
"She was putting community college payments on her credit card and building debt with it."
"I paid off her credit cards when we were dating and she cried from me being so nice."
"It was only like 1,300 bucks."
"I bought a condo, then we got married, then we bought a house."
"I never really considered myself rich until i started dating her and learned that a trip to Wendy's was a treat."
"I grew up middle class, and we are currently middle class, heh."- Amazingawesomator
Simple Pleasures
"My wife was born and raised in the Soviet Union."
"She still goes crazy for fresh fruit like it's the most extravagant luxury."- TheDJFC
Coverage
"The prevailing mindset in his community growing up that insurance was something only rich people had."
"Not health insurance, mind you, well, not just health insurance."
"Auto insurance."
"Going without it was a way of life for most everyone he knew."- captainslowww
Old Habits Die Hard
"I am not well off but my stepfather is."
"I was raised by a single mom who spent money on everything and bills were always behind."
"She just couldn't manage her money at all."
"In her 50's she met and married a multi-millionaire."
"We are in middle-America so that goes further than maybe in a lot of areas."
"They have given themselves $10,000 a month budget to live on, living on interest."
"Own their home."
"Anyway once my mom met him and they got all her finance situated and paid off."
"She won't spend a penny."
"He spends like it is going out of style."
"He has actually begged me to take her shopping to get clothes and accessories."
"She won't do it."
"She spent more when she was a single mom with nothing."
"It makes no sense to me."
"At least buy a new outfit."
"She is hell bent to not use a penny of his money. "
"They barely even have any groceries."
"If they have anything it is because he buys it for them."
"She is a retired nurse that gets a retirement and SS but she won't spend anything."
"She lives poorer now than any other time in her life."- danapca
Many people dream of marrying into money, and being able to buy extravagant things and go on extravagant trips.
Others however, are only grateful that after getting married, they won't have to struggle to pay a utility bill, or worry about whether or not there will be food on the table.
Though, of course, when madly in love, money is often the last thing people think about.