The paper develops a theoretical framework for studying conspicuous consumption. This is modeled as a device that signals the consumer's social status. Status is some function of the individual's rank in the wealth hierarchy. This approach makes it possible to distinguish between snob and...

Fashion is a popular style of behavior at a given time or place. In this paper we model fashion as a dynamic phenomenon, characterized by fragility of mass behvior and life cycles. Conformity of behavior is generated by a consumption externality, while the typical intertemporal aspects of...