In an overcrowded fashion landscape, luxury houses, emerging designers and mainstream brands are all searching for fresh ways to appeal to the masses. And with consumers rebelling against throwaway fashion in search of meaningful pieces with lasting power, the world is starting to see a rise in made-to-order services, limited-edition runs and a rise in the personalisation trend.
At the higher end of the market, Hermès offers bespoke riding saddles to its elite clientele with a process that starts out on horseback, when the rider’s measurements are taken along with the measurements of the horse. Thirty hours of craftsmanship and concentration later, a sports accessory is completed in the luxury house’s Parisian workshop.
Hermès’ equestrian saddles exemplify handcrafted customisation at its finest
For something more within reach of the rest of us, shoe customisation services allow the footwear-obsessed to create the designs of their dreams. Bally allows clientele to create bespoke shoes with an abundance of styles, colours and luxurious materials, as well as a choice of soles to meet every need. At Jimmy Choo, customers are treated to a made-to-order menu of signature colourways, textures and finishes that help them build footwear made to exact specifications. The iconic brand also offers personalisation in the form of dates as well as monograms in silver, gold or something blue — the perfect memento for brides.