Many believe that those who buy hybrids, implement solar panels in their houses, recycle their products and wear expensive eco-friendly clothes are the people who do show off. The clash between green and luxury is heating up. I don’t want to break all earlier notions, neglecting the other side of the coin would be doing injustice to efforts put by the luxurious green warriors.
Recently, Swiss firm Code-X has taken an initiative to combine luxury with sustainability and has introduced a solar hybrid yacht. It is the first yacht to combine solar power and Formula 1 engine technology. The stylish yacht generates power from lithium batteries and reaches speeds of up to 80 knots powered by twin Ilmor F1 engines with 710hp apiece or 9 knots by the twin motors. In case the lithium batteries are not working, the yacht can be powered with the help of solar panels for an unlimited period. By making use of the electric motors to maintain a motionless position, the luxury yacht is equipped with a touchscreen control and a GPS-controlled “virtual anchor” system. The code-X AG is located on Lake Lucerne, Switzerland.
Is “green luxury” really an oxymoron?
No doubt, the starting cost of these luxury goods is high. Those who opt for it actually take an initiative to bring green luxury at home and have taken a step forward to think better for the future.
Luxury consumers cannot be termed as green culprits. Recently John Maienza and Gregg Wilson have completed a project of five-bedroom houses in Santa Barbara. The houses contains all multiple eco-friendly elements. The best part of these houses is that instead of tearing down the whole house, which others normally would do, they have been renovated keeping the existing structure. The material used in the houses has been totally recycled. So, we cannot outcast green altogether whenever talking luxury.
If one is utilizing his or her capacity to buy when the product is available, what’s wrong with it?
Luxury consumers are the trendsetters
It would not be wrong to say that luxury is giving the green movement a huge impetus. Living green doesn’t mean living like a hermit. It’s all about making conscious choices; every green step, doesn’t matter how small it is, counts. Moreover, it’s also about necessity. While mocking your neighbor’s solar-heated swimming pool, you might be ignoring the gadgets you use in your day-to-day life.
Consumers of green luxury, most of who are early adopters too, are in fact the flag bearers of the green movement. Not all can afford a Tesla. But those who can are showing the way to the rest. People with money are ready do more experiments with new products and ultimately set the trend. Buying luxurious things doesn’t mean that the products are not green. Introducing green luxury in itself is green.
Luxury brands going green
It’s good to see that most of the luxury brands are now redefining luxury. Designer Linda Loudermilk has given a new face to green luxury fashion through the dresses made from 100% biodegradable fabrics like vegan silks and organic lace. She sells $350 sweaters, which are made from cashmere and spun milk.
According to a latest trend report on luxury, “Green Marketing and the Luxury Consumer”, luxury consumers are worried about environmental issues. They are finding different ways to protect the environment through global warming and avoiding water and air pollution.
Despite of introducing various environment friendly luxury products and technology, people have set a barrier in their minds regarding what living green actually means. However, what I feel is, whatever you wear, whatever you build and how you stay, you can do it greener. If you have made a single green choice in your day-to-day living, you are going in the right direction and by introducing more greener products and services, the greener you become directly affecting the world around you in the process.