It's reassuring to know that Bespoke still survives in our age of mass production. But let's not put aside the values attributed to producing in mass, the quality is evident and prices affordable, but there is something very appealing about knowing that some one is applying a personal hand to the product, individual attention. The piece is being made to order, so there is a lot of value in this, as it creates a story, which upon wearing can be told to friends and family countless times. And each time told adds more value.
What Is Bespoke
Let's define the word Bespoke: Made to order, Made to measure, Custom made, Customized. This movement is still very strong in England , where family companies have survived since the industrial revolution and continue the tradition of individualising. This fits with human physic
Why Bespoke
Gifting can be further individualised through bespoke, going that extra yard to find and deliver something special for a special person in your life. However quality can also be found in mass production. Manufacturing production Technology is a very precise science and the quality is often benchmarked. In jewellery production the use of laser cutting technology has reduced tolerances to almost zero, something that cannot be achieved by hand. But it is the inconsistency in form created by hand that adds value, art is bespoke.
In Jewellery
Before and during mechanisation bespoke still holds a strong position especially in England where the craftsman survives in respect of his skills handed down through many generations. This heritage is also awarded to India ; here is a culture that can straddle both cultures of Bespoke and high tech. In fact Indian Jewellery is considered amongst the finest in the world and one of the largest consumers of precious metals, gold and silver. Many renowned jewellery designers rely on the consistent qualities of the Indian craftsman.
A Classic Modern Day Bespoke Jeweller
When it comes to enamelling techniques England is still a world leader, this is particularly evident in steeped history of the Birmingham Jewellery Precinct, which thrives to this very day. One gleaming example is KJD Jewellers, a family run business founded in 1996 by Keith Davis, is the British manufacturer of some of the world's finest cufflinks and expert hand enamellers of cufflinks and men's accessories.
Continuing the tradition KJD uses real oven-baked enamel on all their products. Just like in the days of old from the Parisian gold snuffboxes of the 18 th Century to Carl Faberge's eggs of the early 20 th Century, the same exacting standards of craftsmanship are followed.
Manufacturing in the heart of Birmingham 's historic Jewellery Quarter , KJD Jewellers is a division of Toye, Kenning & Spencer, and a 320 year old family company who holds a Royal Warrant from HM Queen Elizabeth II for the supply of gold & silver laces, insignia and embroidery.
Textiles And Print And Silk Ties
The same is true in fabrics and textiles where centuries of silk weaving and silk screening have paid off in so much as international brands continue their loyal custom with these producers. The quality and Bespoke nature of the English rag trade, silk tie and men's fashion accessory market lends itself to small orders and a personal touch. Just like Savile Row there is a marked demand for the return of handmade values, this puts England and India at the forefront of maintaining heritage while maximising modern technology in harmony. A way of sustenance in tune with environmental awareness.
An Interesting Historic Anecdote
The English silk weaving history is richly textured, but began only a few hundred years ago when Huguenots, French and Flemish Protestants fled their own countries. There were two main waves of Huguenot migration in the latter half of the sixteenth century and towards the end of the seventeenth century. In all, over 200,000 Huguenots fled to the UK and Netherlands .
They possessed great knowledge of the textiles industries, especially silk making. The Courtauld family established a prospering silk industry at Braintree , Essex , while Huguenot weavers also concentrated in the Spitalfields area of London , which is also the area that Charlie Chaplin made his first public appearances on his way to stardom.
Last Words
A balance of heritage and technology, like a balanced lifestyle is a generalist approach to the future.
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