There’s nothing more disheartening than discovering that perfect piece (whether it be a pair of jeans, cross-body bag or fine-banded gold ring) only to come face to face with someone else who has also recently discovered, purchased and is now also wearing it. It’s, understandably, the impetus for the current trend for bespoke. When something is so loved and cherished, you want to know, or at least feel, as though it was made for you.
And whilst our funds don’t quite stretch to custom-made haute couture, personalised scents or bespoke beauty, they will afford us monogrammed totes (from The Cambridge Satchel Company to Anya Hindmarch), stationary (Smythson, natch!) and now, thanks to the uptake of the beauty and fashion industries, all manner of covetable, made-for-you signature style pieces.
Charlotte Olympia’s Cosmic Collection features twelve slip-on shoes and corresponding clutch bags all embellished with zodiac charms, piped with gold in the softest suede. The obvious purchase would be of your personal star sign, but when the other symbols are this cute (I’m strangely drawn to the Cancer crab, despite being a Scorpio), it may be hard to stop at just one.
Charlotte Olympia shoes £495, and Pandora clutches £695, Charlotteolympia.com
Sticking with the astrology theme, we love the latest SteamCream collaboration which sees the softly whipped, all-natural, all-purpose cream housed in the cutest of zodiac-sign tins. Created by Mako Kikkawa, the sweet and kooky designs reflect the persona of each star sign, as taught by her favourite astrologer Ryuki Kagami.
And at just £12.95 per tin, they’re the perfect, personal gift.
Zodiac Steamcream £12.95 Steamcream.co.uk
Whistles’ effortlessly cool Delilah clutch, all soft slouchy leather and perfect, grab-able size became ever-more-covetable when the brand announced that it can be made that touch more bespoke. At London’s Dover Street store you can choose from two fonts, in shades of blue, lavender or lime green, to have your monogrammed initials added to the accessory.
Whistles Delilah Clutch, £45 or £95 with monogram Whistles.co.uk
Cara Delevingne and ‘wifey’ Rita Ora recently highlighted their love for all things personal and personalised when they bought and then swapped the gold Daisy long-chained Halo pendants with Cara wearing an “R” and Rita sporting a “C’. Sweet!
But forget the pendants for a moment, because as we all know where Cara goes, we inevitably follow. But when it comes to bespoke, fight your urge to copy Cara and instead plump for fingers-full of the Daisy Alpha Rings, equally as gorgeous but just that little bit more you!
Daisy Halo necklace £75 for the 18″ chain, £85 for the 30″ chain and Alpha rings from £37. Daisyjewellery.com