Perhaps, but I think most luxury brand buyers fall into one of two categories: 1) They are paying more for quality materials, durability and perhaps a hand-mad

Perhaps, but I think most luxury brand buyers fall into one of two categories: 1) They are paying more for quality materials, durability and perhaps a hand-made feel (that may or may not be in line with reality). 2) They are paying more so that they can get something that most others can't only because it's too expensive. I really can't believe that people who buy $2000 handbags think that the handbag company is doing any R&D into handbags. But perhaps they do...