Do you remember when Tom Ford smashed the glass ceiling for lipstick prices back in 2010? Probably not. I do, because the PR schlepped out to the East End offices where I then worked and laid out each of the prototypes in all their pristine, expensively packaged glory on our sad, skanky desks while we looked on with grudging respect.
Back then, the white and gold casings were considered almost avant-garde in their retro glamour. Just brushing your fingers against those cold, gleaming obelisks made you feel like Bette Davis. But £36? For a lipstick? Our fingers recoiled as if they’d been electrocuted almost before the numbers were out of the PR’s mouth (who knew fingers were financially responsible?).
We didn’t mind using the three samples she left behind, though. And we did, note that plenty of women would be willing to pay £36, because the texture, pigments and staying power were pretty...