Our Favourite Fashion Monograms

Few things communicate luxury as thoroughly as bespoke designer goods. Earlier this week, when guests arrived at their hotel in advance of Dior's 2016 Cruise presentation, they found their bedsheets monogrammed with their initials alongside a set of customised pétanque balls – the warmest conceivable welcome (and a thoroughly Instagrammable moment). But this level of detail is not exclusively available to those who are invited by Raf Simons to the French Riviera. Here, we outline some of the greatest monogramming available to purchase from some of our favourite fashion houses, from Fendi to Prada.

Prada Dècolletè
Today (and for one week only), Prada have re-launched their bespoke Dècolletè service at their Bond Street Store. While customers are able to pick their preferred model of shoe from a selection of eight, their optimum heel height and the material, print and colour they like best, perhaps the most charming aspect of the service is one's ability to monogram the sole of the shoe. Printed in the same format as the Prada logo, it is the chicest way to make sure nobody ends up stealing your dream footwear; the grown-up equivalent of writing your name in your P.E. kit trainers.

Louis Vuitton Mon Monogram
While British traditions of the 19th century dictated full first and last names be printed onto one's travel trunk to avoid embarassing mix-ups, French custom was initials only. These days, one of the most celebrated French purveyors of customisable leather goods – Louis Vuitton – offers a contemporary personalisation service called Mon Monogram, which offers the heritage opportunity to have your initials painted onto an assortment of leather goods in one of four fonts and 16 colours. Hard cases are hand-painted with a PVC ink by specialist artisans, while soft goods are screen-printed for optimum durability. Princess Diana had a white letter D painted onto hers: the ultimate in classic chic.

Fendi A/W15
When Julia Van Os appeared on the Fendi A/W15 runway earlier this year, not only did her handbag contain a protruding bird of paradise, but attached was also a green pompom with her initial dyed into the fur. The first appearance of the ABCharm (which won't be available until in boutiques until November), Lindsay Wixon also got her own special verison and three further models got to display the Super Karl – the version of the charm with Karl Lagerfeld's head attached. M Lagerfeld, fox fur and customisation: a triptych of super-luxury.

La Perla Made To Measure
In the spirit of the Italian atelier which fits pieces perfectly to one's body, the made to measure service from La Perla not only perfectly tailors your lingerie but it also uses 18 carat gold thread to embroider your initials into whichever garment you choose to have hand-made by their specialists in Bologna. In addition to using gold thread, you can also choose to have Swarovski crystals attached wherever you please, for lingerie that is both perfectly shaped to your measurements and brilliantly extravagant.

Anya Hindmarch's Sticker Shop
Possibly the matriarch of customisation (Anya Hindmarch even offers the opportunity to have your handwriting embossed within your leather goods, or a photograph screenprinted on the front), her collaborative initiative joyfully named Sticker Shop is a range of embossed leather 'stickers' that can be applied with permanent leather adhesive to anything that you wish. From application to Anya Hindmarch wallets, handbags or notebooks to your mobile phone or pencil case, not only your initials but an accompanying assortment of cute symbols can be attached to anything that you could possibly want them on.

Poplin
Inspired by men's tailoring, British loungewear brand Poplin is a testament to a time when your pyjamas were as thoroughly considered as the rest of your wardrobe. With hand-printed silks and the opportunity to embroider monograms however you see fit, they are the sort of elegant nightwear that ought be a staple part of your clothing and will surely encourage a good night's sleep.

Goyard
With nearly two centuries of experience producing trunks and bags, Goyard are one of the fashion industry's most understated brands. Their subtle yet distinctive patterning is synonymous with luxury, and to go one step further you can request your monogram to be hand painted onto your purchase. Their website even allows you to simulate your personalisation in a broad range of shades and fonts: updating their renowned legacy for the digital era.

Wool and the Gang
Pioneers in the production of sustainable fashion, Wool and the Gang offer you two choices: a full knitting kit and pattern to DIY your own personalised pieces or, for the lazier among us, the option to simply commission one of their styles personalised with your monogram and produced by their "knitwork". Shooting to fame after being incorporated into Giles' A/W14 runway, they create everything from cactus pots to baby bibs and all within a reassuringly ethical framework.

New & Lingwood x Alex Eagle
Alex Eagle's collaboration with Saville Row tailors New & Lingwood offers the luxuriant menswear styles of the acclaimed tailors adjusted for women. With silk dressing gowns, shirts and slippers, it is one of our favourite collaborations of 2015 thus far – and, sold exclusively in Eagle's new Walton Street boutique, offers an excuse to visit the spectacularly curated concept-store-cum-art-gallery.

Smythson
It wouldn't be a complete list of bespoke monogramming without mentioning Smythson's consistently elegant offerings. From stationery to passport holders, purses to jewellery boxes, if you want luxuriant leatherwear embossed with your monogram, they are the people to turn to. From Katherine Hepburn to the Indian Maharajas, their pieces have accessorised the handbags and writing desks of some of history's chic-est figures – and surely everyone needs their own headed notepaper.