Tucked away off a quaint courtyard near the Louvre in Paris, designer Christian Louboutin and his team work in a secret atelier on their most special made-to-measure requests. This might be a collection of shoes for burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese’s latest revue, bridal pumps to match the fabric of the wedding dress, or even like one recent commission, a 100 per cent vegan shoe.
“Bespoke styles have always been something important to me,” Mr Louboutin told the Financial Times. “It’s a way for me to keep an intimate connection with my clients and to have direct feedback on how they perceive my work.” Last year, the designer said, bespoke requests rose by a fifth.
From Gucci’s “DIY” service, through which customers can personalise knitwear, tote bags and its Ace sneakers with letters in different colours and materials, to Burberry Bespoke which allows customers to choose the style, fabric, colour and hardware of their trenchcoat, brands are increasingly offering personalisation and customisation.