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As children of simpler discernments, nothing thrilled us more than the mere sight of humble tree houses and Fisher-Price play sets. Whether it's mass-produced plastic kitchenettes or wooden clubhouses haphazardly constructed by our parents, we still found solace under their big blue roofs and nailed-in skylights all the same.

Today’s tots enjoy the escapism of a playhouse on a far more luxurious scale. “The most expensive playhouse we’ve done was over US$75,000,” says Michelle Pollak, interior designer at La Petite Maison. “It was for a movie producer, and was built on a cliff overlooking the Hollywood Hills. It had to have a lot of safety features put in, including an earthquake foundation.” Another extravagant order called for a playhouse “with its own working powder room and child-sized toilet, as well as a garage with remote-controlled door for the kids’ collection of kid-sized cars”, which Pollak and Al Mowrer, the company’s owner, gladly delivered. After all, they’ve become rather accustomed to the costly caprices of their quirky clientele. “We work primarily with luxury clients, they’re used to things above and beyond the norm,” explains Pollak. “Now that ‘luxury’ has become mass market, I think our clients are looking for something that truly remains bespoke. We custom design and craft each house so the craftsmanship can clearly be seen!”

In addition to custom-making downsized sanctuaries for sophisticated preschoolers, La Petite Maison has also fashioned an extensive collection of charming abodes for some very well-heeled customers of the four-legged variety. “Many of our dog houses are the size of children’s playhouses, and can accommodate several people standing up inside,” says Pollak. Though the price tag on such palatial pet homes depends on the intricacy of the design and special details, the company has produced some custom-made doggy domiciles that have fetched upwards of US$25,000. Nonetheless, numerous dog lovers worldwide have added their names to the waitlist, pawing at the chance to shower their precious pooch with some tailor-made TLC. Supermodel Rachel Hunter asked for “an exact replica of her Spanish style home, down to the wrought iron balconies and crystal chandelier”, while other outstanding canine creations include a doghouse that was made entirely handicap-accessible for its disabled occupant, and an order from a client in Hong Kong requesting a replicate of her Canadian home. The only catch? “It had to be typhoon-proof!”

In this present economical hardship, only truly top-tier individuals can consistently afford to lead a charmed life and cosset their wildest expenditures. To spend it like it’s going out of style is hardly a new notion in our consumer society, though depending on where you hail

Design Your Life

Custom-made palaces for your pet and unique scents profiled to your personality? You can have anything your heart desires made exactly to your liking… if money is no object BY Kim Visudharomn

from, customary displays of wealth will tend to vary. "New luxury" is no longer characterized by brand names or designer goods but is centered on personal experience, individualism and inimitability. Invitation-only products, private viewings, and limited-edition items have all proved effective measures in securing luxury consumers, while the rapidly flourishing sector of bespoke has persuaded purchasers that they simply can’t place a price on their identity.

The word "bespoke" was coined in the 17th century, when stately men of royal stature would cruise Savile Row in search of custom-made suits and shirts of exceptional quality and fit. A slew of skilled tailors would salute them with a rainbow assortment of fabrics and patterns to choose from, and once a selection was made, the chosen fabric was said to "be spoken for" and hence, made unavailable to any other customer until the initial suit was finally completed. A pattern was then hand-drafted and cut in strict accordance to the individual’s measurements.

Today, the rich tradition has remained unaltered, and the Golden Mile of Tailoring is still paved with tailors who have upheld the practice of personalization. “There is a huge interest in where and how things are made today. Customers know that their suit has been made by hand in the UK by skilled craftsmen. People are interested in owning [branded] luxury goods, but know that their bespoke suit is true luxury, yet discreet at the same time, too. This is very much in line with how true elegance should be defined,” reveals Poppy Charles, merchandising manager of H Huntsman & Sons. With its stag head wall fixtures and conservative interior, the Huntsman store shares its coveted Savile Row street address with some of the world’s most respected tailors. There’s the royally warranted Gieves & Hawkes, Ghana-born Ozwald Boateng whose suits have found favor with celebrities Jamie Foxx and Mick Jagger, and Henry Poole & Co. — aka the "Founders of Savile Row" and creators of the tuxedo.

“Savile Row is unique and the only place in the world dedicated to menswear,” Charles elaborates. “You join a special club when you order on Savile Row and know that you, too, are becoming a part of its history and heritage. Customers maintain a wonderful tradition, and are assured of having clothes made by some of the best, most experienced and highly skilled tailors in the world. It is a unique and indulgent experience, and for the most part, a suit ordered from one of the top Savile Row houses proves an investment for life.” And invest they have — Charles has reported a 10 percent increase in clients patronizing Huntsman’s bespoke services, while their new range of shirts and ties have proved most popular.

As with most fanciful habits of the rich and famous, the concept of customization appealed almost instantly to middle-income consumers. The term "bespoke" soon strutted off the streets of Savile Row and onto sneakers, cell phone plans and cake decorating services, where it has since become somewhat of an overused commodity, misinterpreted and misused by brands and buyers alike.

"Many of our doghouses are the size of children's playhouses, and can accomodate

several people standing up inside"

1 The sweet and soft interior of the Florida Cottage Playhouse is every little girl’s dream come true

2 The Mansion Doghouse is a scaled-down replica of the pet owner’s own grand abode

3 The Victorian Playhouse is only one of many sumptuous playhouses crafted by the La Petite Maison team

For more information, visit www.lapetitemaison.com or call +1 877 404 1184

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The genuine definition of "bespoke" should denote objects and services of utmost exclusivity, supplied by a handful of highly specialized professionals and artisans.

In an era of online shopping and e-luxury, the resurgence of bespoke has served to restore customer relationships through the means of personalized services. “The process is very much a personal one, which involves the customer at every stage,” explains Kate Starkey, founder of Kate Starkey Couture, an intimate company that offers both bespoke and custom-made services. Contactable only via phone or email, Starkey has individually catered to countless women of various vocations and volumes. “Each client chooses the exact fabric and styles that suit their lifestyles and body shapes. We then finish off each item with unique details, which makes every piece a one off... and then we book the client in for their fitting — this is to ensure that the items fit them absolutely perfectly.” No fast fashion here; couture, including fittings, can take as long as 16 weeks to complete.

Patrons of the personalized are discriminating individuals, assured in their own taste and style. And while a perfectly tailored outfit makes an impactful arrival, it’s your unique fragrance lingering in your wake that reinforces your departure. Guerlain’s Sylvaine Delacourte believes there is a scent for everyone. Through a series of words, images, and material association exercises over two sessions, the perfumer will seek to uncover the perfumee’s "olfactory heritage", utilizing their memories of smells and flavors. During this "multi-sensory experimentation", the client will receive a personalized scent book, detailing their "olfactory experience" through photographs, drawings and scent blotters. After the final meeting, they will be presented with a confidential box containing a collection of their favorite items as identified from the first session. Several months later, the client’s patience is rewarded with 500ml of precious fragrance in a Baccarat bottle, which can also be customized upon request.

Mathilde Laurent, chief "nose" at Cartier’s Rue de la Paix boutique, employs a similar process when sniffing out her client’s desires. However, Laurent is more inclined towards a three-hour tête-à-tête during which she will intently interrogate her clients on a variety of topics. From inquiring about their fondest childhood fragrances to cataloging their favorite cooking ingredients, Laurent soon discovers her subject’s innermost sophistication, and proceeds to create three perfume prototypes for their consideration. Be warned that individuality in a bottle comes neither fast nor cheap; according to Cartier, the process can take anywhere from six months to three years, and cost around €60,000, while Guerlain’s olfactory offerings cash in at approximately £20,000.

The customization curve doesn’t end with just tangible goods and physical possessions. The era of bespoke travel has come to full fruition, and visits to off-limit destinations have become benchmarks by

which the well-traveled should measure their vacationing worth. “The concept of ‘luxury’ has been changing, and it now goes hand-in-hand with personalized services,” says Townley Peters of Blue Parallel. With extensive on-site staff present at all available vacation destinations, the boutique travel agency prides itself as the finest provider of personalized tour programs to the exotic, untapped regions of South America. “Our travelers have a growing desire for unique, tailor-made travel experiences that are very luxurious and off the beaten path — the kind of experiences that will give them ultimate bragging rights and make their friends’ jaws drop.”

The growing demand for dream-like vacations has proved profitable for a handful of dedicated professionals. These individuals specialize in facilitating the travel fantasies of their high net-worth clientele, be they personal cooking lessons with a Michelin chef or the best base-jumping spots money can buy. “Because the Internet only provides static information, but not sound or expert advice, bespoke travel professionals such as myself are called upon to help ‘custom craft’ iconic, and singular experiences, moments and memories. No website can do that,” justifies John Clifford of International Travel Management.

Since founding the company in 1996, Clifford has created some remarkable one-of-a-kind rendezvous, including an "Around the World Honeymoon" that featured a sunset commitment ceremony performed by an authentic Shaman in Bali, a private candlelit dinner at the Teatro Greco in Taormina, Sicily, an isolated island excursion on a private yacht with personal butlers and chefs in the Maldives, and after-hours shopping with an English-speaking personal shopper in Hong Kong. Love may not cost a thing, but celebrating your nuptial bliss in the aforesaid fashion will set you back at an estimated US$400,000.

“Bespoke travel is expensive because it is hyper-personalized, so prepare to spend a good deal of money,” warns Clifford. And like all things bespoke, with extravagant cost comes delayed gratification. “The time required to create a customized travel package is great because of the uniqueness, care and detail in every trip,” elucidates Clifford. “On the average, most of our bespoke trips take upwards of two to three months of planning for a two-week journey.” Nevertheless, what are a few months wait when you and your beau could be the only two souls with private access to The Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice?

The made-to-order industry shows no sign of slowing down. As long as the possibilities for personalization presents itself, those with the means will continue to travel in custom-built Ferraris, fill their mansion with tailor-made end tables, and feast on an exotic spread of carefully modified cuisines. The sky’s the limit when it comes to having it your way.

Now if only you could craft a bespoke man to share it all with.]

1 & 6 True luxury is slipping into the perfect suit tailor-made for you by H Huntsman tailors who have 20 years of experience under their beltsFor details, log on to www.h-huntsman.com or call +44 (0) 20 7734 7441

2, 3 & 5 Go on a bespoke vacation in the untapped regions of South America such as the tropical islands of Angra dos reis and the exhilarating mountains of PurmamarcaVisit www.blueparallel.comor call +1 800 256-5307 for more information

4 Bespoke in a bottle — yours and yours only from the Cartier Rue de la Paix flagship store in Paris for €60,000For details, log on to www.cartier.com

7 Take a whiff, or two, of Guerlain's olfactory magic at its Champs-Élysées boutique For details, log on to www.guerlain.com

Other useful infowww.katestarkeycouture.comTel: +44 (0) 20 7100 1330

www.internationaltravelmanagement.comTel: +1 619 299 2359

"our travelers have a growing desire for unique, tailor-made travel experiences that are very luxurious and off the beaten track — the kind of experiences that will give them ultimate bragging rights"

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