PENS
01 The Bespoke British Pen Company Ltd
Fancy having a pen made just for you when you ink that multi-billion dollar deal? Now you can whip out a writing instrument and impress your business associates and competitors alike. The Bespoke British Pen Company Ltd specialises in making pens showcasing British craftsmanship at its finest. Using traditional techniques and the finest materials, you can have a uniquely design pen, crafted just for your own use, one made to commemorate a special occasion or have your company logo emblazoned on it. With brands like Conway Steward, Onoto and Jack Row under its stable of pens, its scope is only limited by the clients’ imagination. (bespokebritishpens.co.uk)
02 Montegrappa
Montegrappa has been making pens in north-eastern Italy since 1912 on the banks of River Brenta in the historic town of Bassano del Grappa. Originally known as Elmo, it has counted Italian leaders, Victor Emmanuel III and Benito Mussolini, among those who have used Montegrappa pens. Former Russian leader, Boris Yeltsin, gave his Dragon pen to Vladimir Putin on 2 January 2000, symbolically handing over power to him, while current Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev, signs all official documents with a Montegrappa Extra 1930. Although it has regular lines and collections, Montegrappa’s bespoke service includes a portrait pen, where a master engraver will carve a portrait onto the surface of the pen using the traditional technique of burin engraving. Additional bespoke services include engraving anything you like onto the precious metals of the pen as well as a broad range of colours for the celluloid barrel. (montegrappa.com)
03 Montblanc
Montblanc, purveyor of fine writing instruments, has also jumped onto the bandwagon by offering a bespoke nib service. Having developed a special technology to identify the personal characteristics of an individual’s handwriting, this data is then used to create a customised nib. Among the countless measurements needed to ensure a perfectly personalised nib, five are key: writing speed and pressure, pen rotation, swing range and inclination angle. Once these measurements have been taken by Montblanc’s writing culture experts, the bespoke nib is created in an iterative process of hand grinding by craftsmen. Precision is crucial to the process and only a perfectly crafted nib will ever make it into the hands of its owner. To make it even more personal, the gold nib can also be inscribed with the customer’s name. (montblanc.com)
CUFFLINKS
01 Benson & Clegg
Nothing spells class and refinement like having French cuffs on your made-to-measure dress shirt. With French cuffs, you will need cufflinks to secure them and here is where you express your individuality. Benson & Clegg, which designs cuff links for Cambridge University and is by appointment to HRH the Prince of Wales, has a bespoke service that creates cufflinks especially for you. Whether it’s a portrait of your loved one, a pet or your home, its artists can hand-paint any design with astonishing detail directly on the sterling silver cufflinks, which are coated with a layer of vitreous enamel before being oven-fired to harden and seal it in. (bensonandclegg.com)
02 Villa
With four generations of making exquisite cufflinks under its belt, Villa Milano was founded by Benvenuto Villa in 1876 and this tradition of crafting the male accoutrement is today carried on by Filippo and Marco Villa at their atelier on Via Mazoni in Milan. Benvenuto’s son, Giuseppe, perfected the antique gold maille technique, which led to the patenting of the inimitable ‘tessuto Villa’, a versatile gold wire weave that is woven like fabric to produce very flexible and soft parures that adapt to the body like velvet. Its cufflink collection was re-introduced in 1995, using materials like jade, rock crystal, lapis lazuli and rare sea shells, often with a humorous and irreverent twist to the designs. (villa.it)
BELTS
01 Roger Ximenez
Can’t find a belt where the notch fits exactly on your waist? Don’t fret because there are bespoke belts that are specially made to your waistline. Roger Ximenez custom crafts casual and dress belts in leather and exotic skins in the United States to customer specifications. Using the finest leather and specialising in crocodile and suede, Ximenez did his apprenticeship in Germany before returning to Miami to set up his own belt atelier, earning a reputation as one of the most respected leather artisans today. (rogerximenez.com)
02 Elliot Rhodes
Elliot Rhodes of Covent Garden, London, has a wide range of buckles and belts to tickle any gentleman’s fancy. Elevating the status of the belt from just an afterthought to an essential and desirable accessory, Rhodes’ belts are hand-made by skilled craftsmen using traditional belt-making techniques from Spain and Italy. Customers are spoilt for choice as they can pick from a huge selection of leather and exotic skins in a multitude of colours and shades, as well as a wide array of buckles, many of which resemble sculptural works of art. Whether it’s a snake motif in aged silver or laser-cut horn buckle, the customer is only limited by his own imagination when it comes to creating a belt and buckle of his choice. Rhodes’ design team conducts a one-on-one consultation with each customer before coming up with a unique belt that promises to make you stand out. (elliotrhodes.com)
BOUTONNIERES
01 Tim Fritts & Erin Rosenow
What better way to add that finishing touch to your jacket than a bespoke boutonnière on your lapel? Yes, you can pluck a carnation from the bouquet you meant to give your wife or girlfriend, but looking generic on your wedding day isn’t really something that you should aspire to. San Francisco based Tim Fritts & Erin Rosenow specialises in boutonnière art, which is not just unique in its concept but also interesting and guaranteed to be a conversation starter. Thematic or inspirational, throw them any idea and see what they come up with. (frittsrosenow.com)
02 Suitedman
Lapel pins add a touch of flourish to any jacket or suit, and some of the best ones, specially made with felt, burlap, satin, velvet, leather, metal and Swarovski crystals, are by menswear accessory company, SuitedMan, based in the United States. These rosette flowers come in a variety of colours and patterns, which can be coordinated with the colour of your suit. They are perfect for weddings, engagement parties and school functions. (suitedman.com)
SHOES
01 Superglamourous
When the dress code says black tie, your shoe could be a shiny black patent leather lace up or a pair of evening slippers, which will enhance your stature among all those ball beauties. Italy’s Superglamourous makes the most eye-catching evening slippers in velvet, pony skin, fabric or tapestry, often embellished with its trademark tassels or, if the mood takes you, glittering Swarovski crystals. With leather lining and padded insoles for that extra comfort when you are navigating the dance floor, Superglamourous offers a bespoke service where you can customise your own evening slippers with your choice of colours and material, including exotic skins such crocodile or lizard skins. (superglamourous.it)
02 John Lobb
Style and comfort are not mutually exclusive when it comes to bespoke shoes. No man should have to suffer just to look smart. Uncomfortable shoes are the quickest way to ruin a good day or an eventful night. The solution lies in specially made-to-measure shoes. John Lobb is the ultimate when it comes to bespoke shoes and, if you decide to splurge on something sartorial, make it your footwear as you can be sure it will be money well-spent. With two royal warrants and a client list that reads like a who’s who of the international glitterati, John Lobb’s handmade shoes are works of art created by a team of craftsmen who served long apprenticeships to acquire their expertise. Whether it’s an Oxford or monk shoe, owning a John Lobb is akin to entering a private gentleman’s club, whose membership is restricted to those with refined taste. (johnlobb.com)
