In case you needed one more sign of the coming apocalypse, this one is at least very entertaining. The Bling Dynasty is a six-episode series from GQ TV (don’t worry, each episode is only around five minutes) that follows the recent explosion of billionaires and multi-millionaires in China. It also focuses on the efforts of the Chinese nouveau riche to become more like their European counterparts who possess not only money, but class and elegance. Add the panache of a Kardashian and what ensues is a high-priced education in caviar, champagne (gold-flecked!), luxury handbags, polo tournaments, and, lest we forget, the ultimate symbol of wealth and power -- yachts! Lots and lots of yachts.
The issue is, according to one of the European affluence educators in episode 1 is that, “The Chinese used to work hard and don’t know how to enjoy their free time.” Ah, but fear not, into the vacuum a cadre of high society educators, both Chinese and foreign, have stepped. Armed with ivy league pedigrees, impeccable manners and exquisite horsemanship, they arrived to elevate the Chinese palate to the highest of European standards teaching everything from how to properly eat caviar and oysters (you’ve got to twist your fork to free it neatly from the shell), to how to compete in equestrian jumping. They even offer courses designed to get precious Chinese children into Europe and America’s top boarding schools. (Forget about Harvard and Oxford, Phillips Exeter Academy is the new fourteen-year-old must have!)
What’s especially fascinating here is how Western luxury brands have managed to align themselves with a culture that places tremendous value on maintaining face, status, success and the advancement of your children to an even higher station in life. According to Tom Doctoroff, luxury consultant extraordinaire, “Luxury in China is not frivolous, it’s not a superficial pursuit. Luxury is a tool for success on the battlefield of life.”
Hmmm, I wonder what Confucius would say about that? I wonder what some expats who have lived in China might say? And I wonder what some Chinese now living abroad might say? Is this a culture coming to terms with its newly attained wealth and power, or is this a case of culture run amok and being manipulated by the trappings of wealth and their mostly foreign handlers?
