Gucci has been named the #1 brand in the world, according to Nielsen research:

In the latest survey, one in five global consumers said they would choose to buy Gucci (over any other luxury brand) if money was no option, making the Italian fashion brand that was revived by Tom Ford in the 1990’s the most coveted and aspirational luxury brand in the world today. Photos and quote: LIFE Files

I don’t think this means celebrities and socialites will put their Louis Vuitton or Hermes bags up for sale on eBay. It also doesn’t mean you’ll see less “Stars and their LV” posts on Sandrarose.com. LV and Hermes are still a considered status symbols to the elite who can afford them.

Speaking of Hermes: I saw this interesting photo of Pharrell Williams carrying a man-size Hermes handbag on his way out of his hotel in NYC yesterday. I searched other photo sites and there were no other pics of him with this bag. Which leads me to assume the bag isn’t his. Which is a good thing because a Hermes croc half that size would set him back about 17k.

He’s still a fashion plate though with his his LV scarf, and hat and jacket from his Billionaire Boys Club line.