calligraphy and penmanship was once a signal to education and social class. this is lost in our now buttonless world, but it has created the next realm of bespoke, which is made-to-measure penmanship. nicolas ouchenir is one of the only serious calligraphers out there, and is developing his craft beyond beautiful writing, and pushing his chirographic talents by creating bespoke alphabets for each of his clients. “calligraphy might be an age-old trade but it follows current trends,” he says. “from gareth pugh’s violent lettering to kanye west’s signature-like alphabet, it’s a craft both timeless and ephemeral.” by kl