Hopefully, you all had a great break and made it through the dreaded January work comeback. Back Row is officially posting again, like usual.
I just got back from a few weeks with family—my two kids and three nephews. We played tourists around NYC, then spent a few rainy but fun days in Vermont. I had virtually no time or energy to “be online.” When my daughter napped and I caught a break, I read books or occasionally checked a few odds and games on 22Bet for fun.
Not being glued to email or social media felt amazing. I opened Instagram by habit a few times, then immediately shut it—I had no urge to post anything. I also had no interest in news about Kardashian Christmas parties or minor celebs in St. Barths for New Year’s Eve.
Offline is the New Luxury: Why Privacy is the Ultimate Status Symbol
I’m not alone here—time off boosts happiness, but social media usually does the opposite. During my break, I barely looked at my phone. Being offline and focused on real life felt great. I enjoyed not scrolling through all the internet noise. (And yes, I’m lucky that I enjoy spending time with my family.)
That feeling made me think about quiet luxury—a trend I believe will define this decade. It’s not about rich people wearing simple, expensive clothes instead of flashy designer brands. It’s also about valuing privacy. Today, anyone can become internet famous overnight. Because of this, a private, offline life is now the ultimate luxury.
Nearly 60% of the global population—and 93% of internet users—are active on social platforms. Some people use it casually, or keep their accounts private. For many people in creative roles, being on social media is necessary. Whether it’s LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, or more, they must be online to share their work and stay visible. Being Private Is the New Power Move: Why Staying Offline Is the Real Status Symbol
Social media has made fame easier to reach than ever. On Instagram, people get famous for looking good. On TikTok, anyone—from scientists in Antarctica to mini cow owners—can go viral. Fame brings attention, and attention brings money. Some influencers earn hundreds of thousands—or even millions—each year from their content.
But imagine not needing fame at all. What if you had enough money to stop posting online? You could avoid trolls, backlash, and cancel culture altogether. Being private now feels rarer and luxurious than being known. Imagine meeting someone and finding nothing about them online. That’s true exclusivity.
If privacy is rare, then privacy is a luxury. The next big luxury brand will sell that idea—quiet, subtle, complex to access. Brands like Telfar already do this well with secretive product drops. Most other brands are loud, using ads and celebrity posts to get attention. But absolute luxury might soon mean being unseen. When Presence Mattered: Tom Ford, Exclusivity, and the Lost Art of Being There
In 2010, I reported on Tom Ford’s debut women’s collection for The Cut. His men’s line was already thriving, and buzz about his women’s launch was intense. I didn’t get an invite, which was fitting since exclusivity was the point. Twitter had started heating up. It was still new, and self-promotion was changing in exciting ways. Ford banned recording devices. He brought big names like Beyoncé and Julianne Moore to walk the runway. Then, he held a show at his Madison Avenue store, describing each outfit. People didn’t see the collection until months later, when it appeared in Vogue. After that, images of the entire collection appeared.
Ford eventually shifted toward more standard runway formats. Over ten years later, he sold his brand to Estée Lauder in a $2.8 billion deal.
Still, that first Ford show stands out, especially looking back. You had to be there in person to witness it—it wasn’t made for online consumption. You couldn’t lurk on YouTube for a livestream or open TikTok before bed for a recap. In today’s world, when do we ever need to show up physically anymore? You can now easily find fashion’s exclusive events online. Couture week, the Met Gala, and influencer trips are all online. So, invitations are not needed. This year, Apple’s new mixed reality headset could change how people enjoy fashion online.
Final Thoughts
Consumers will want an escape from tech. It’s stressful, and the marketing is overwhelming. People crave real experiences. They’re willing to pay for something refreshing, like an escape, not another thing to escape from.
