A key look for the Create & Decorate trend is personalisation. Whether it's your name, a patch from your travels, or an embroidered embellishment, it's time to get out there and make your denim your own. Get creative, as anything goes when it comes to adorning your denim. To help get you started we've picked out a few of our favourite bespoke customisation services that are available at the moment.
First up and fresh off the presses is the newly launched, The Denim Girls Project from Mih, the likes of which have never been as accessible and available online in the denim market. The collection works in a similar way to NikeId where you select your base item and then choose from a selection of customisation options. This might be adding some patches, or one of my favourites the collar rope stitch and tassle details on the Stockholm jacket. A collection of seven garments are currently available for customisation including the Stockholm jacket, Mimi jeans and loose fit shirt. Customisation options available include adding patches, embroidery, hem and waistband cutting. If you have specific denim dreams, you can fill out the online submission box and your request will go straight to HQ where they will work to try make your dreams a reality. Cutting is free, and from there prices start at $15 for additional customisations. If you fancy having some more conrtol, you can buy a patch pack to adorn your favourite denim from the comfort of your own home. Here at The Denim Eye we are very excited to try out this new tool and get customising!
Check out mih-jeans.com for all the details, and get customising!
If you prefer to pop in store and watch as your denim comes to life, then we suggest you head to your nearest Levi Tailor Shop. A selection of Levi's shops offer a tailor shop where you can do a whole host of customising to your denim. Add your name with monogramming and embroidery, some patches, or collectable pins. You could get some rips repaired, or have some help to rip some new ones. Maybe you want to get cutting and turn those old jeans to shorts, jackets to vests - the options are endless! It is definitely worth popping into the store to breathe a new lease of life into those old denims at the back of your wardrobe.
Another favourite is the monogramming service from Madewell. This American brand offers personalisation in three easy steps - choose your product from their online denim bar and what you want embroidered (up to 9 letters), call them up to order, and then wait for your denim to arrive at your door. It's as easy as that. They have 18 colour options available, which will be chain stitched in cursive font, and free if you are a member of their loyalty scheme. But not to fret if you're not, as this personal touch can be yours for an additional $10. They even offer the service on a selection of their leather goods. Talk about the perfect present for any denim lover out there!
If you are looking to personalise some of your preowned items, then embroidery studio Hand & Lock could be the perfect solution for you. They want you to "take that piece you like and turn it into a piece you love". Offering a whole host of options from machine stitch monograms and embroidered motifs to a range of ready made patches, they have a wealth of expertise in the customisation field. If you have bigger ideas then you can talk these through with their design staff to help find the perfect solution for your visions. Basic patches and machine monograms start from £5/letter, with more elaborate endeavours priced per design. For more details visit their website or you could stop by their pop up customisation station at Topshop's Oxford St flagship store.