Evan E. Lambert is a journalist, travel writer, essayist, and short fiction writer with bylines at Thought Catalog, Business Insider, Mic, 

, Queerty, BuzzFeed, Going, The Discoverer, and many more. You can check out his other work at 

In a hyper-connected world, it feels like everything previously ‘insider’ is more available than ever: from behind-the-scenes access to the lives of public figures to travel experiences immersing people into worlds previously deemed unattainable. But while people embrace this community-based inclusivity and unprecedented access to their icons, they still yearn for touches of exclusivity to define their status.

As the age-old understanding of exclusivity is eroded, people are redefining status for themselves using a broad range of factors beyond solely economic ones. This new iteration of status is often based around increasingly niche and local signifiers – from luxury dupes to the rise of members clubs and closed-community spaces based on shared interests. Status is becoming a mode of belonging and connection with like-minded people.

People are erecting walls of their exclusive communities, relying on more subtle markers of identity. This is apparent with middle-class people fetishising working-class aesthetics, athletes turning to niche sports like padel, and social media groups organising around niche interests – spawning companies. As status-defined micro-trends on social media accelerate, brands face a challenge to keep up. If previously certain legacy items were automatically associated with exclusivity, now people are much more trusting of the UGC-defined vision of what status means. More than ever, speed, knowledge, inventiveness, and being plugged into the community determine what – and who – is in.

Insider Status

One of the world's leading experts in authenticated resale, Graham Wetzbarger's passion for luxury led him on an unprecedented career path. His unique experiences and insight keep him in high demand from analysts, resale platforms, and the media.

United States

Luxury

Esquire

International Olympic Committee

Savoir Flair

Interview with Graham Wetzbarger conducted by author

Financial Times

Wood Fountain Pens

Interview with Graham Wetzbarger conducted by the author

Vogue

Statista

Marketing Charts

Montblanc has been associated with luxury and refinement ever since the launch of its first pen collection in 1906. The brand has since diversified into leather goods, clothes, and its beloved watches – all while retaining its elegant identity. What’s the secret to its long-term success?