A Choo of Your Own

Jimmy Choo is the latest brand to offer a bespoke service on its products, joining the likes of Fendi, Burberry and Prada who currently offer a made-to-measure service on some of their most iconic products.

Burberry initiated its 'Burberry Bespoke' offering in 2011, allowing customers to essentially design their own classic Burberry trench coat right down to the cut, lining, length and collars. Whilst the bespoke trenches are at the higher end of the brand's price range, they allow affluent customers to have their own take on a product that has been a part of the brand for decades and add to the aspirational value that most luxury brands hold sacred.

As of this month, British label Jimmy Choo is now offering a bespoke service on some of its most popular shoe styles. Sandra Choi, Jimmy Choo's creative director, has selected her favourite styles for the service - the Nouk, Lance, Xenie and Tite models. Previously only available to the likes of red-carpet customers, this move to offer personalisation on Jimmy Choo shoes is a wise move in an industry landscape that is increasingly shaped by the demand for innovation in marketing and design, requiring designers to build on their previous offerings.

Customers can choose from a variety of colours and materials, with an option to have each pair stamped with a monogram of choice.

The Jimmy Choo personalisation service started on May 9 in the Sloane Street store, will be offered in Paris boutiques from May 19 and will roll out globally throughout the rest of May.

How long until we can design our own Manolos?

- A.T.

What Goes Around Comes Around: 1960s Trend Revival

Fashion is always retro, but always on the basis of the abolition of the passé (the past): the spectral death and resurrection of forms. Its proper actuality (its 'up-to-dateness', its 'relevance') is not a reference to the present, but an immediate and total recycling.

JEAN BAUDRILLARD, Symbolic Exchange and Death

Jean Baudrillard hit the nail on the head. Fashion is total recycling. How many times have you worn a trend and your mother, for example, has said 'that used to be in fashion when I was young'? Think about it. Many times. 

In reality, some trends are meant to stay in the past - I look back at the trouser-skirts I wore in the 90s and shudder - but I'm very open to trying out recycled trends. I prefer not to call them 'recycled' though, I think 'revival', or 'reawakening', or 'revitalisation' are more accurate. I could go on and on. With this revitalisation of trends happening more or less every year, there's bound to be one that we all love in particular. And this is what the current 1960s trend revival is for me. I've got 1960s fever; a longing to be part of the sixties scene. 

What's not to love? The 1960s trend revival encompasses more than just a knee length swing skirt or an a-line hem, it means bright colours, bold prints, cat-eye shades, and looking oh-so-fabulous all at the same time. I don't care if it's been done before - revivals happen for a reason, and this one is so that we can all enjoy what those youth of the sixties did: fabulous shapes, prints and colours. 

I've scoured the internet and compiled lists of my three favourite elements to 1960s fashion - all items are available right now, either online or in store. Most of these items are on my current wishlist (emphasis on wish).

1. Topshop, £70
2. Alice & Olivia, £180
3. Motel, £35
4. Miss Selfridge, £25
5. Forever 21, £10
6. Miss Selfridge, £35

1. ASOS, £35
2. Topshop, £55
3. Next, £28
4. Mango, £64.99
5. Michael Kors, £120
6. Zara, £59.99

1. MSGM, £290

2. Topshop, £20

3. ASOS, 18

4. Louis Vuitton, £750

5. Louis Vuitton, £2,150

6. ASOS, £52

7. M Missoni, £350

Want to channel the 1960s vibe? I hope I've convinced you. If not, take a look at this webpage focused on the 1960s in fashion to see key designers, looks and styles. Feel free to share any comments/ queries about the products and the trend itself.

- A.T.