A piece of art you can talk into

Time was when a mobile phone used to be, well, a phone. You could use them to make and receive calls and at the most send text messages.

As technology advanced, sophisticated features were added. Then came designers who added bling for people who wanted more.

Now Peter Aloisson, who made headlines worldwide when he created a Dh5.7 million mobile for a Russian businessman, has decided to take things up a notch. He has introduced jewellery phones, similar to jewellery watches.

The designer's first creation is the limited-edition Dh1m Nokia Arte Pink phone. Only two of these will be made and one has already been sold to an Arab businessman.

"This time we wanted to go one step further," said Aloisson. "Normally we add gold and diamonds to a mobile phone only as an enhancement but still leave it primarily as a mobile phone.

"With the Nokia Arte Pink we wanted to turn a mobile into a piece of jewellery. This is the reason why we have chosen pink diamonds and created "diamond waves" on the lower part of the phone. It took us seven months to finish two of these jewellery pieces.

"The name comes from the original Nokia Arte Sapphire phone. We added the word 'pink' since it is made of pink diamonds.

"The phone remains a Nokia Arte Sapphire with all the same technical features. We have only added 18-carat white gold parts and 799 white and pink diamonds with VVS clarity."

Aloisson told Emirates Business how he got into the phone customisation business. It all started with his desire to own a mobile made from solid gold. "Ten years ago I had the feeling that sooner or later – it actually turned out to be sooner – a mobile phone would not automatically remain a status symbol because everybody would have one.

"Even your maid would be able to get the same phone model you paid Dh3,000 for at a price of Dh800 six to 12 months down the line.

"So I decided I wanted to get myself a phone made of solid gold."

However, he could not find a manufacturer who would create one for him – so he decided to do it himself.

"Ten years ago it was quite difficult to convince manufacturers it was possible to make luxury phones in precious metals and that there was a market for them. Another issue was that phone manufacturers wanted all the proceeds for themselves.

"For example Nokia launched the Vertu line. What they forgot is even Vertu phones are not customised;, they are bought off the shelves like a suit from Marks and Spencer.

"However, there are people who like their phone to be customised according to their style, taste and budget, and I cater to the discerning few."

The designer produces around 40 to 50 individually customised phones per year and there is a waiting period of three to six months.

"Once a client contacts us and tells us which model he wants to have customised and his budget, we come up with designs and solutions. Sometimes customers ask me to visit them to discuss the possibilities at their premises. This is even better as it tells me a lot more about their personality and helps me create something close to their heart," said Aloisson.

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