When economist Thorstein Veblen coined the term "conspicuous consumption" in 1899, he was describing a new kind of social display: one where people bought goods not out of need but as "trophies of success." To Veblen, the emerging "leisure class" proved its superiority not by labor or contribution but by its seeming exemption from work and its power to waste.
Charles Frederick Worth, the nineteenth-century designer widely credited as the inventor of haute couture, embodied the excesses of his time, attracting an elite clientele with extravagant gowns rich in detail.
The 30-carat ring worn by the bride, along with her A-list friends and lavish outfits, signifies a shift towards conspicuous consumption at billionaire weddings. These events emphasize status through elaborate celebrations and public displays.
