I am beginning to hear a lot of conjecture on the meaning of the word 'bespoke' in our industry's press and in some home interest magazines. There's a subtle suggestion that we in the industry must not wrongly claim that our kitchen/bathroom/bedroom furniture is 'bespoke', if it is not - and thus misguide the consumer.

So, what about this word 'bespoke' - my introduction to the word came when I first visited the tailor to buy suits of clothing, those businesses either offered suits to set-sizes (off-the-peg) or made-to-measure, which was often called bespoke. I would be measured up and, in the case of an off-the-peg suit, jacket, or pair of trousers, I would then be guided to the places on the racks of suits which best fitted my size.

Some retailers like Marks and Spencer only offer this system, major tailors like Burton's offer both.
In the case of made to measure, or bespoke, I was also measured up, shown a style of suit, say double or single breasted and then I looked through a set swatch of fabrics, made my choices and then discussed which buttons to fit, whether stitching was to be by hand and exposed or by machine and hidden, whether the lapels were to be pencil thin or 'flappers' (or anywhere in between) - perhaps we discussed whether or not to have turn-ups on the trousers - and eventually I would have my bespoke suit.

Moving away from my own experience to the dictionary and the meaning of the word begins to match up - the Concise edition of the Oxford Dictionary tells us that bespoke is the past tense, or the past particle of 'bespeak' and adds the codicil "of goods, (especially clothing) made to order".

Bespoke comes from bespeak and that means to 'speak about before an event' as in discuss what the client will want from their suit of clothes or the design of their room.

If this is an acceptable definition to the industry then it fits most of the kitchens supplied by kitchen specialists, who measure up the room, discuss the clients' needs and help them make the choice that gets them the colour and shape of the kitchen that works for them (not just furniture, but including choices of sinks and appliances etc.).
I think, if we insist on continuing with this 'tailoring industry' word then we need to accept its limitations as a description of individual quality. Perhaps instead we need to think about the difference between a mass market, High Street tailor and a gentleman's tailor on Saville Row  - or better still look at the individual retailer's reputation.

One off
Where all of this conjecture could become dangerous is if the suggestion that our industry is misleading the consumer was to be taken up by the broader press - it could undeservedly darken the reputation of kbb retailers in general.

That this could happen was illustrated recently, when I read in a consumer magazine that the word bespoke (or 'truly' bespoke - or '100%' bespoke) referred to a kitchen that is made with no reference to a previously created range, as the solution for an individually designed kitchen that will last a lifetime - but it isn't. That's not bespoke - that's a One-Off. There are then some companies, such as mine, that can make one-off and often very unusual pieces that require classical joinery skills, but that is a further service that goes beyond bespoke.

That is rather like the golden suit that Elvis wore, or, moving into the realms of ladies haute couture, like the wedding dress especially made for Princess Diana.

Even then, I'm still not sure that buying a One-Off will guarantee individuality, the fact is that, no matter how hard I object afterwards and I always do, I can create a piece for a particular client that is a complete one off and then, when it appears in the press, it can be copied by many other manufacturers and become an off-the-peg piece.

For a furniture design to truly have longevity, I prefer to design classical ranges, which 'belong' to the building that they are installed in, I believe that is the way to ensure that a piece of furniture will 'live' beyond the time that its original owner occupies the house. I believe that such a design principle is by far the more environmentally friendly, discouraging as it does a change in the kitchen, bedroom or bathroom furniture every time a new owner takes occupation, or every time fashion changes.

Meanwhile I would advise that we not get too hung-up on the descriptive 'bespoke' - in my opinion, even though we at Mark Wilkinson Furniture could claim the title, it is not the best way to describe fine furniture for a top quality kitchen, bedroom or bathroom.

What do you think? Letters@kbbreview.com