This article looks at why the rise of bespoke and personalized products and services is now a major component of mainstream retail and shopping. No matter where it takes place, be it in-store or over the internet, people want to be able to buy and own unique items, experiences, and services.
It is a trend that has become the norm in many industries and sectors and the customer is now beginning to become more demanding, insisting on and looking for only the most bespoke or personalized… everything.
What is bespoke?
There are a number of buzzwords bandied about that merely serve to confuse. The fact that customized, bespoke, and personalized have all come to mean and dignify the same concept is the reason that this article starts by clarifying the use of the terms bespoke and personalized.
A bespoke object is generally one that has been made for you specifically, or with your specific needs in mind. Personalized, on the other hand, is about adding a layer of personalization to an already existing product.
Both bespoke and personalized are used here to denote and show the changes that are occurring in all forms of industry as consumers want to remain as individual as possible in a world where we all strive for the same end result.
The top sectors innovating around personalization or bespoke
Fashion
Making your own clothes is a sure-fire way to have bespoke clothing, and it is now easily possible to do just this. There has been a movement away from fast fashion and just as some move towards vintage and gently worn clothing exchanges, others have looked to small independent clothes-makers and designers to produce one-off pieces of clothing that are bespoke to their core. Alternatively, many online fashion brands have added the ability to choose colors and add design elements to the clothes or shoes that you choose. One more notable platform facilitating this trend is “Sock Club” (https://custom.sockclub.com/), an online service that allows you to customize your socks to your liking.
Automotive
Being able to wrap your vehicle in whatever color and design that you want is the main difference in automotive design and allows for a level of personalization that has not been seen before. The vehicle has always been a great way to show individual taste and style, and even though you won’t necessarily be able to get a car made just for you, you will be able to add layers of personalization that will make it your own, while also saying a lot about your personality.
It is even possible to incorporate various work functions, tools, and marketing into a work vehicle that will make it stand out above your competitors. TCS Upfitting work truck accessories is a perfect example of exactly how the bespoke vehicle sector is impacting businesses around the globe and making more personalization available to more people than ever before.
Architecture
The houses that we live in and the buildings that we use are a great way to personalize and go bespoke. Whether for a business brand or an individual, it has become more important than ever to make a statement using home and building design, color, and then interior furnishings and design as well. There was a time when prefabrication and similarity ruled the housing sector, but there has been a huge change, and even those who live in neighborhoods where all the houses may look the same have begun to use color and interior design to make their homes all very different and incredibly bespoke.
Experiences
The rise of social media, interactive vlogging/blogging, and the metaverse have seen an increase in the sharing of experiences. It is now common to share everything: from the holidays that you go on to the specific meals and clothes that you buy and enjoy. This sharing has seen the need to be as individual as possible. There is thus a huge market opening up for unique and bespoke experiences. Yes, many are ok with a personalized touch, but it is the bespoke experience that is trending the highest. People want to be able to plan, design, and then enjoy and experience a holiday or adventure that will be unique to them and those whom they wish to share it with.
Concluding comments
In conclusion, many have begun to argue that the ultimate in personalization and being bespoke is actually the ability to live a one-off life. Being able to be as individual and authentic as possible is the ultimate goal and the products and services that we now have access to are all part of this process. It is an opportunity that presents for many a business out there, and the ability to personalize existing products and services for specific customers and clients is arguably going to be the first step towards a bespoke product or service offering.
