How To Personalise Your Look
From custom-made shoes to bespoke lipstick - personalisation is big news in the world of fashion, beauty and lifestyle. I gave three a go...
I've always liked to experiment with my style and beauty looks, probably something that comes part and parcel with my eventual career as a stylist and creative director. Actually, a few fun facts for you, at one point in time I owned an online boutique with my sister and designed and handmade jewellery that was stocked in a few boutiques.
And while I haven't quite ticked designing my own fashion collection off the bucket list just yet, the current customisation trend that has taken hold across fashion, beauty and lifestyle has definitely made it easier for me to hone my designing skills!
Over the last few months I have roadtested a few design-your-own and customisation services. I've designed my own leather tote from Mon Purse, created a unique pair of smoking slippers from Shoes Of Prey and even mixed my own custom colour of lipstick from the The Lip Lab. Check out my all my creations below.
Mon Purse Design Your Own Bag
I had been on the hunt for a large, stylish leather tote for a while. As a freelancer I am often working on the go, and I needed something that was not only fashionable, but also big and and sturdy enough to carry my laptop, diary and notebook (oh and also make up, water, snacks, and pretty much everything but the kitchen sink!). When I couldn't find anything that suited my needs, I decided to design my own on the Mon Purse website.
There are many design your own styles to choose from on the Mon Purse website, but I decided to go with the BOSS LADY tote, $399 from the Laura Brown Collection.
Offering more than the monogramming that shot the brand to notoriety, I was in complete control of my bag.
In seven steps, and with every design decision being reflected on a 3D prototype and with the ability to zoom in and view to bag from every single angle, I designed my bag, choosing every element:
- Size of the tote
- Type of leather, texture and what part of the bag to apply this to. I chose one colour for the body of the bag, and a contrasting printed leather for the handles.
- Colour of suede bag lining
- Colour of metal detail
- Monogram - choose your initials or a word, max 8 characters. I chose R.M.
- Monogram your pouch
- Finalise your design
Given it's a bespoke creation, the delivery time is four weeks. But I can definitely vouch that your creation is worth the wait. The quality of the leather and finishes on my tote were on par with a luxury brand, the size was perfect and after a few months the tote has proven to withstand the wear and tear of lugging everything but the kitchen sink!
The Prototype
The Real Deal
Shoes Of Prey
For a shoe lover like me who often day dreams about having my own line of footwear, Shoes Of Prey is my version of heaven - a magical place where you can design the shoes you've always wanted in your size, which by the way start from a US 2 and go right up to a US 15. It even gives you the option to choose how wide or narrow you require your shoes to be, so for all you ladies out there who struggle to find shoes, Shoes Of Prey is for you.
While some people find it hard to stop at one chip, chocolate or lolly, my vice is shoes, so needless to say it was so hard to just stop at one design. The choices on Shoes Of Prey are endless - from styles (there's heels, sandals, boots and flats), heel heights and type, colours and leather and fabric choices, including vegan options.
And yes you guessed right, I didn't stop at one design. I actually created three different bespoke pairs of shoes before deciding to send one to production - but that is the beauty of Shoes Of Prey, using the 3D Designer you can easily design a unique, one-off pair of shoes exactly to your specification and to suit any occasion.
As with my Mon Purse bag, every design decision you make is reflected on a 3D prototype and with the ability to zoom in and view your design from every single angle, making changes or experimenting with different options as you go. You can save your designs, so you can sleep on your decision, or perhaps like me, come back and send another pair of shoes to production! Best bit? Your bespoke shoes will be delivered within two weeks.
My Design Options
My Custom Flats
Even though I am a self-confessed heel lover, once I finished designing these flats, I couldn't resist them! The effortless mix of print, texture and shine won me over - even though they were sans a 4-inch heel! The fit was perfect - I am a regular 6.5 / size 37 and the sizing was spot-on. However, if the sizing was a little off, the package of complimentary inner soles would have sorted me out quick smart (genius!). But also rest assured if the shoes were completely ill-fitting, there is the option to send the shoes back entirely and replace in the the correct size.
The Lip Lab
Love a good lip colour, then you're going to love The Lip Lab create your own lipstick service, where you get to choose, mix (and name!) then apply your custom shade of lippie - and all within 30 minutes.
Working with The Lip Lab consultants the first thing you do is choose the hue you want from an extensive range of micas and pigments, the flavours from a range of essential oils and the finish.
As huge fan of a bold lip, I told my consultant Chantel I wanted a coral shade. For my flavours I chose Rose for the scent and silkening to add a silky, smooth texture to my lipstick base and decided on a creme finish. Using all my preferences, Chantel set to work mixing up all the ingredients to create my custom shade which I named Rosie Posey - after my childhood nickname.
Of course in terms of colour the possibilities are endless - and the same goes for flavours with other options including; anti-ageing ingredients to prevent lipstick bleed, SPF for sun protection and plumping agents. In terms of finishes along with a creme finish, you can also opt for matte, shiny or even gloss if you're not a lipstick girl.
Once you are happy with your colour, your custom lipstick is produced using a specialised heating, cooling and moulding system. Given you will probably love your lippie so much you'll want to reorder as soon as it runs out, your bespoke order is placed on a consultation card and kept on file. Now, how's that for lip service!
The Making Of Rosie Posey
