Luxury thy name is Packaging

For a discerning consumer , the Product is the key reason for a Luxury Brand to be considered an item of Luxury, thus the product really is the key differentiator. However , for a Luxury Brand to Look luxurious is of extreme importance, thus the complete presentation and the emotions it arouses in the target consumer is of no less significance. The packaging defines the Luxury, from the not so Luxurious and is evident in all Brands which claim to be in that league.
When it comes to Luxurious packaging, one view is that the understated and the minimalistic execution, brings in the ultra premium appeal. Thus designs which are simple yet elegant, muted yet with a premium finish and in treatments not so commonly seen , are the way to go. However on the other hand there are Brands which have Packaging which drips of luxury, right from the materials used to being ultra engaging and over the top.
Truly there are no set rules for a packaging to be defined as luxury, it lies in the way the entire execution and the treatment is worked out. However one fact remains, one look at a Luxury packaging and the immediate response that it should elicit is that it is prepared with a lot of patience and care. This feel of patience and care reflects in the detailing, finishing and the ' No short cuts ' approach.
The consumer of a luxury product needs to be given the feel that all the care is being showered upon him/her and this has to start right from the first experience of the packaging itself. Thus for a packaging designer for a Luxury Brand , one needs to keep in view the reflection of ' Care and Patience ' in the complete development and the execution, because that is what differentiates Luxury from the others, after all !