A Bespoke Portfolio: Suited Just For You

Written by Rita Silvan

Full disclosure: I'm not one of the “happy few." That's what Chanel's president has called the estimated 2,000 haute couture clients worldwide.

But with fall fashion season upon us — New York, London, Milan and Paris are all on the September calendar — I'm reminded that in 2009 I was one of the lucky few at Le Grand Palais in Paris to watch models parade the latest couture collection in all its sequined, feathered and gilded splendor.

Chanel’s head designer and creative director Karl Lagerfeld on the runway in Paris for Chanel’s Haute Couture 2009 Spring/Summer show.

Couture, or bespoke as it's usually referred to for menswear, is about an absolute level of individualization for maximum comfort and impeccable fit. In another example of the worlds of fashion and finance colliding, bespoke can relate to investing, too, when you think of custom-made portfolios suited to your values, tastes, goals and risk tolerance.

Crafting a personalized portfolio takes time and effort, but the resulting product might just be a perfect fit. While the world of couture remains largely for the privileged, customizing a personal investment portfolio is open to all investors. Gone are the days of limited choice. Today, an explosion of investment offerings allow us to design a tailored portfolio of our choosing.

For example, some investors may:

• Opt for a global focus in their portfolios
• Lean toward investing in what they know, or
• Decide to follow their social conscience when making investment decisions

Of course, aiming for a bespoke investment portfolio doesn't have to be complicated. One of the joys of self-directed investing is that you get to research and craft your plan just the way you want. It's based on your goals and timelines, and if the fit changes over time due to a shift in your original plan, there's room for nips and tucks along the way.

In Paris, I realized that to be an actual couture client is no easy feat. Having the financial means is just the start, and doesn't necessarily guarantee admission to this select club. Social introductions from existing couture clients are a prerequisite. A “vendeuse" (saleswoman) at the house must agree to work with the client. Teams of seamstresses working in two separate ateliers — “flou" for dresses under the direction of Madame Cecile, and “tailleur" for suits — ensure that every stitch and embellishment is hand-sewn.

But the result? Unique clothes and accessories that fit perfectly and can practically last forever. (Just don't order the Spaghetti alla Pomodoro.)

This article was updated on September 14.