Ed Hartley is a cultural expert with extensive knowledge of gaming, music, fashion, and technology. With a background in launching tech start-ups and growing online communities, he now works on innovative marketing campaigns in the gaming industry.

In a hyper-connected world, it feels like everything previously ‘insider’ is more available than ever: from behind-the-scenes access to the lives of public figures to travel experiences immersing people into worlds previously deemed unattainable. But while people embrace this community-based inclusivity and unprecedented access to their icons, they still yearn for touches of exclusivity to define their status.

As the age-old understanding of exclusivity is eroded, people are redefining status for themselves using a broad range of factors beyond solely economic ones. This new iteration of status is often based around increasingly niche and local signifiers – from luxury dupes to the rise of members clubs and closed-community spaces based on shared interests. Status is becoming a mode of belonging and connection with like-minded people.

People are erecting walls of their exclusive communities, relying on more subtle markers of identity. This is apparent with middle-class people fetishising working-class aesthetics, athletes turning to niche sports like padel, and social media groups organising around niche interests – spawning companies. As status-defined micro-trends on social media accelerate, brands face a challenge to keep up. If previously certain legacy items were automatically associated with exclusivity, now people are much more trusting of the UGC-defined vision of what status means. More than ever, speed, knowledge, inventiveness, and being plugged into the community determine what – and who – is in.

Insider Status

Matt Zabala is an emerging fashion designer from New York now based in London in the UK. Since graduating from Central Saint Martins, Matt has worked alongside designers like Alexander McQueen’s creative director Seán McGirr and his accessories have been worn by globally renowned musicians like Lil Yachty.

Luxury

Fashion and Style

Clothing, footwear, and accessories

Apparel and department stores

LS:N Global

Interview with Matt Zabala conducted by the author

Agility PR

SHOWstudio

Culted

The Business of Fashion and McKinsey & Company

TheIndustry.Fashion

Instagram

The Business of Fashion

Statista

As e-commerce casts doubt over the future of physical stores, Dover Street Market reaffirms the importance of experiential spaces in luxury retail. Integrating fashion, art, and emerging designers to revolutionise the customer experience, the famed store is shaping fashion commerce.