A recent article in the Independent by Martin Hickman on the decline of Saville Row explains that the adjective bespoke comes from “bespeak”, to order. The article is about how the street famed for bespoke tailoring is in decline, cheaper alternatives and a lack of trained tailors are contributing factors, there’s several obvious parallels with bespoke furniture manufacture and what we do at Couture Furniture.
We too suffer from misuse of the term bespoke. It’s not correct to call something bespoke if it already exists and is just being assembled as a number of possible combinations, a bit like kitchens that are made from a series of standard size carcasses with a range of options to choose from. This is not the same as having something designed and made from scratch, if the cabinets need to be 590mm wide instead of a standard 600mm to get the perfect fit then that’s what will be made, that’s bespoke, made to order, not modified to suit.
All our pieces have been made by trained craftsmen, some of whom have been put through college by ourselves, although sadly the part time City and Guilds Cabinet Making course at London Met University is no longer being offered. The majority have approached us having already studied a related discipline to degree level and want to continue their chosen field. It’s very rewarding profession, making beautiful things for appreciative customers is a great combination for feeling good about what one does with their day!