Why Dubai is the perfect spot to create bespoke jewellery
ALONGSIDE SINGAPORE AND Hong Kong, Dubai’s reputation for custom tailoring is one of the most enticing aspects of the city for those who wish to shun the ‘off-the-rack’ experience and venture into the more personalised fashion realm. The creativity exuding from various designs not only shows off the wearer’s individuality, it can provide inspiration for those looking to get in on the act. The same notion, courtesy of companies like TT Custom, can be applied to cars and motorbikes. You now have the opportunity to drive something truly unique.
So why is jewellery not included in the same bracket? We’re a nation filled with gold souks, gem stores and online promotions for investing in precious metals. Why do we so readily settle for others’ creations when it comes to the bangles we wear? While jewellery stores across the land do offer beautiful pieces, surely the ultimate expression of affection (if you’re going for an engagement ring), bling (anything with iceberg size diamonds) or just a way to show off is to point to the item when someone asks where it’s from and say, ‘it’s bespoke’.
This is the thinking behind jewellery brand La Marquise’s custom service in Dubai. While purveying lovely pieces in their showrooms here and all over the world, their factory at the Gemplex near Jumeirah Lakes Towers will also take care of everything you need to create your one-off masterpiece.
“Dubai is known as the city of gold. Fewer people know it is also the city of diamonds,” director of branding communications Julian Serrao told us as we sat in an office just off the busy factory floor, tens of thousands of precious stones and kilos of expensive metal just through the next door. “We decided to set up our only manufacturing unit here because it’s safe and it’s easy in Dubai. It’s right in the centre of the world meaning there are a lot of people coming through simply to purchase jewellery.”
Julian said the majority of business is done in the wholesale trading of jewels and precious metal, although the retail side has expanded exponentially in the last few years. And then we came to the reason we were there, why making your own jewellery makes sense.
“What we try and do is educate the customer. We have a lot of male customers coming in asking for engagement rings. They have done a lot of stressful research alone. What we do is have people here that can tell you exactly what is available for your budget, how much time it will take and you get to give your input on the design, meaning no other ring is like yours anywhere in the world.
“The whole experience should be luxurious. If you come to the showrooms or even down here to the factory, you’re part of the jewellerymaking process.”