Economists have a term for these kinds of things where the demand rises as prices rise: Veblen goods

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veblen_good

Buying unnecessary expensive stuff is one thing. But it's hard to understand why anybody would want to display that total loyalty to a brand signal.

Harley Davidson, anyone?

"There is only sex. Everything is sex" - Robert California

It taps into a very primordial "I'm better than you" urge some people need.