Gilles Lipovetsky

What Are His Conferences Like?

Gilles Lipovetsky’s conferences combine philosophical analysis with keen observations about modern life. His accessible yet thought-provoking style invites audiences to question the world around them, exploring how individualism, consumerism, and mass culture shape contemporary life. His talks cover topics from fashion and luxury to globalization and the role of media in creating social values. Lipovetsky offers a critical, yet not fatalistic, view of hypermodern societies, highlighting the paradoxes of contemporary culture and social dynamics.

Selection of Conferences

The Age of Emptiness: Individualism and Culture in Postmodern Society

In this talk, Lipovetsky explores how contemporary culture has evolved toward extreme individualism, characterized by superficiality, mass consumption, and the pursuit of personal satisfaction. Through examples from fashion and media, Lipovetsky analyzes how existential “emptiness” defines today’s society.

Luxury in the Hypermodern Era: Between Excess and Vulgarity

Lipovetsky examines how the concept of luxury has transformed in modern society. What was once a symbol of exclusivity and beauty has, in some cases, become a manifestation of excess and bad taste. This talk reflects on how luxury has changed in an era of democratized consumption.

The Empire of the Ephemeral: Fashion, Consumption, and Democracy

Based on his book *The Empire of Fashion*, Lipovetsky explores fashion’s role as a cultural expression reflecting democratic values and individualism in contemporary societies. Fashion, he argues, is no longer just an aesthetic phenomenon but a tool for individuals to express themselves in a complex society.