Hooked: Maison Martin Margiela x Michael Stipe

There was a reason Michael Stipe couldn't be spotted at the Paris shows sans his Margiela mono-shield (including after hours at Le Baron). It turns out the R.E.M. frontman had been in cahoots with the elusive triple Ms, putting his arty proclivities to good use. We give you the Maison Martin Margiela x Michael Stipe collaboration, an inspired union of conceptual rigor and general weirdness titrated down to one little microcassette cast in sterling silver.

Continuing where Stipes’ first sculptures (his cast bronze Polaroids, exhibited in New York at Rogan) left off, the piece is part accessory, part object d’art, and comes equipped with an unraveled tape that serves as a chain. Yet we’re not entirely sure of the actual function of the mysterious little trinket. Is it a necklace? Bracelet? Knuckle duster? Eyepatch? Whatever, we love it. And aren’t questions the domain of vulgar dilettantes? We say art for art's sake! But start plotting now, since only a limited edition of 199 will be available at Margiela boutiques and select retailers.

• Posted November 18, 2009
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