BRANDING CRIME #16

The Over-Sophistication Overdose

“Let’s remove everything relatable so we look luxurious™.”

How it kills

  • ”We are not for everyone.” And to prove it, they use “curated” language that sounds pretentious (”Curated artisanal solutions for the discerning consumer.” Translation: ???).
  • Opts for needlessly complex visuals (abstract logos that mean nothing, impossible-to-read fonts, a color palette best described as “expensive fog.”).
  • Strips away personality in favor of mystique until the brand feels like a modern art installation—intriguing, possibly brilliant, but mostly in need of an exhibit guide to explain it.

What Works

  • Luxury ≠ unreadable. Clarity is still queen, even for premium brands.
  • You can sound sophisticated and approachable—being understandable won’t make you less expensive.
  • If your brand identity requires an explainer video just to read the tagline, it’s time for a rethink.

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