What: A piece from the FT about how much luxury packaging has impacted our psychology in the past 40 years.

Why it is important: For department stores, the notion of image carried through the packaging is even more important today.

At the Sprüth Magers gallery in London's luxury district, Swiss artist Sylvie Fleury's installation showcases dated, possibly empty, luxury-branded bags such as Prada, Versace, and Chanel. Originally introduced in the early 1990s, these bag installations provoke reflections on the powerful allure of luxury branding and our consumerist tendencies. Fleury's work underscores the power of luxury packaging, which has historically signified a certain status. Professor Paurav Shukla comments on the design and appeal of luxury bags, associating their design with feelings of love and gratitude. The growth of online luxury shopping and the emergence of a secondary market for luxury packaging on platforms like eBay emphasize the persistence of this allure. Fleury's London exhibition further delves into consumerism themes, while avoiding a moralistic stance on the subject.

Luxury packaging tells a lot about customers… and the faith they put in retailers