The (future) rise of custom design in luxury goods
I got a chance to try out uncommon‘s online tool that allows user to upload design or photograph to make custom iPhone case.
The uncommon case is not cheap (w/ shipping it’s about 40$ total), and that got me thinking about how custom consumer / luxury good is such an interesting business.
At the low end / day-to-day consumer items, the one-size-fits all model work wells for detergent, tooth pastes, and the soda in the freg. But what about luxury goods? What about the “blings” that make consumer look good *and* feel good? I would argue, Gucci, Chanel, and Dior no long cutting it. After all, anyone can rock a Chanel bag as long as they are willing the shell out the money and the manufacturers are willing to mass producing them.
For expensive non-essential luxury items, I foresee in future we will go back to the middle age craftsman’s like stituation where you have to go to so-and-so for well designed custom desk, or certain designers for clothing items, or just *things*.
Of course, that’s doesn’t mean just the designers / craftsman around you. After all there’s the Internet, and that’s why sites like Etsy is so successful….
Not to mention, the economy is not going to get better for the common folks. Why rock the Chanel when you can have a handbag that’s custom made at a reasonable price and only belongs to you?
