High society

[5] The media lavished attention on them, especially when newspapers devoted whole sections to weddings, funerals, parties and other events sponsored by the local high society.

The new rich typically build a lavish opera house in the mining town, but then moved to a major city, especially Denver or San Francisco, where their wealth could be more suitably displayed and enjoyed.

[16][17] In the 20th century, the London Social Season continued to be held annually with debutantes being presented to court at the Queen Charlotte's Ball until 1958.

Its members included Lady Diana Manners, then considered a famous beauty in England and the daughter of a Duke and Duchess; Duff Cooper, who became a Conservative politician and a diplomat; Raymond Asquith, son of the Prime Minister H. H. Asquith and a famed barrister; Maurice Baring; Patrick Shaw-Stewart, a managing director of Barings Bank and war poet; Julian & Billy Grenfell, Nancy Cunard and her friend Iris Tree.

The 20th century saw some of the most lavish high society parties, including Truman Capote's Black and White Ball in 1966, a masquerade attended by all of New York's elite.

In 1971, Iran's Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi threw the most expensive party ever thrown to commemorate the Persian Empire's 2500th anniversary.

Kings, Queens, Emperors, Empresses, Princes, Princesses, Dukes, Duchess, aristocrats, Presidents, Prime Ministers and all other important people from around the world attended, in one of the biggest gatherings of foreign royalty ever.

[18] However, the rise of social media services such as Instagram and Facebook has given a new outlet to practices of conspicuous consumption that characterize the upper class.

[23] Portraiture became the most common art in order for people in high society to record and have evidence of their accomplishment and valuable possessions.

[21] High society was also immortalized through the building of mansions glittered in decadence and detail that were reminiscent of the Renaissance, and the Victorian Gothic.

Richard Morris Hunt played a large role in giving many members of high society what they were looking for: homes that represented their cosmopolitan outlook and outshine all that was around it.

In many cases an elite member can confirm status by hiring servants, people who remove a mundane task from everyday life, or can patronize artists and performers, whose talent and skills are at their disposal.