Bespoke Beschmoke

London Design Festival is now over, of which more later. Speaking to the designer-makers at these events is always one of the high points for me. I find it energizing  and inspirational. It did make me reflect on how often the word ‘bespoke’ is bandied around nowadays, as though appending it to any product is some guarantee of excellence. I’m looking forward to hearing about bespoke baby nappies, bespoke school pencils, bespoke pork chops. It’s beyond ridiculous; doubtless these items already exist somewhere.

What I have observed in the past is the amazing difference it can make to any piece of work if the maker is passionate and knowledgeable about what they’re doing. I was watching a documentary earlier in the week and I saw this guy in Sri Lanka make up bundles of cinnamon sticks. He cut off the branches, took off the outer layer and then painstakingly stripped off layer after layer of cinnamon bark. He then inserted one piece of bark into another to make up the bundles. It was hypnotic– the skill, assurance and patience involved was just wonderful. I’ve seen the same thing in really good cooks, joiners, car mechanics, nurses, even chemists 🙂 etc etc. I’ve concluded that it doesn’t really seem to matter what the task is, the glory is in seeing something small, good, and entire being done well. I have a theory that this is one of the main contributory factors to the allure of pop/rock stars – their concerts are probably the first occasions where their teen-fans have seen anyone doing anything con brio. I do have to concede that the tight leather trousers/skimpy, sparkly leotards (presumably not worn together???) may have something to do with the resultant adulation.

Bespoke, non-bespoke; do all as best as you can and to the glory of God, that’s my motto. In that spirit I’m going to share my most excellent cheesy joke du jour with you.

Did you hear about the cats that had to be rescued on the River Seine? Un, Deux, Trois, Quatre, Cinq.

(photos: Gareth Neal; Overgaard & Dyrman; Georges Mohasseb; Sebastian Herkner; Fredrikson Stallard)