If you're unfamiliar with MAD Paris, you may recognise them more for their work. The studio is best known for customising luxury watches the likes of Rolex, Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe, and especially in variations of diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating. Each customised piece is stays true to the original design but is decorated with hand-painted designs, embellished with precious stones or even simply coated in matte black DLC.
As part of Dover Street Market's 15th anniversary celebrations, MAD Paris customised a range of Cartier jewellery that's exclusive to Dover Street Market London. The most expensive piece of the set is the Juste un Clou bracelet at approximately SGD31,192. Like the rest of the jewellery in the series, MAD Paris applied its signature DLC coating onto the Juste un Clou bracelet to give it an incredibly minimal aesthetic that's a fresh take on the iconic bracelet.
If you've ever wanted a Cartier jewellery in matte black—and something that's more scratch resistant—this is one to grab. Besides, the whole idea of wearing a Juste un Clou bracelet is that it's an instantly recognisable piece, and MAD Paris' customised version stays true to the construction but topped off with a whole lot of edge.
Not leaning towards spending that amount of money on a customised piece? Here are five other iterations of classic luxury pieces to get.
White gold Juste un Clou bracelet, by Cartier (SGD9,900 each)
We can't avoid highlighting that the original Cartier Juste un Clou will only set you back a third of the retail price of the MAD Paris iteration. If the flashier rose gold and gold versions are not your style, the clean simplicity of white gold could be the one you'd never one to take off.
Leather Neo Classic large top handle bag, by Balenciaga (SGD3,350 each)
A reworked version of the original that was launched by former creative director Nicolas Ghesquiere, the Neo Classic adopts the signature stylings of its predecessor (which celebrates 20 years this year) but in a more contemporary tone-on-tone design. This large version is a massive 54cm by 34cm size that's more than enough to pack in an entire weekend's worth of essentials.
Kraft paper mini pouch, by Bottega Veneta (SGD1,630 each)
What looks (and feels) like paper is actually, well, a combination of polyamide, polyurethane and paper in the form of Bottega Veneta's now-signature pouch. The exterior may be delicate but the inside is lined and expertly colour-matched in leather for that luxurious touch.
Monogram canvas Voltair loafers, by Louis Vuitton (SGD1,490 each)
Virgil Abloh's collaboration with Nigo for Louis Vuitton plays a lot on the latter's icons. And not many things are as iconic as the Monogram canvas. Here, the Voltaire loafer is completely reimagined in Monogram canvas for a modern interpretation of a beloved fashion and cultural icon.
Velvet Tabi loafers, by Maison Margiela (approximately SGD973 via SSENSE)
Tabis can be for every occasion. Maison Margiela recreated the cult favourite in velvet for an elevated look that's just right for any evening gala; we'd find any excuse to wear a pair of Tabis, to be honest. This is one to add to any Tabi lover's collection.
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