Made For You

By Jack Bettridge

In a world of fast food and one-size-fits-all sensibilities, how often does something feel made especially for you? The "Made for You" section celebrates those items that are created with such high quality of hand workmanship and degree of customization that they become individual to you. In each issue, our editors will endeavor to bring you special things from anywhere on the globe, choosing them solely on the basis of outstanding quality. Our goal is to give you guidance on the best of everything.

DRESSING BOND—ALFRED DUNHILL
Alfred Dunhill's bespoke tailor Martin Nicholls is again pleasing Oscar fashion critics, this time dressing the new James Bond, Daniel Craig. Nicholls, who has garnered awards for wrapping Hugh Grant and Orlando Bloom in evening wear, fashioned a black double-breasted wool and cashmere tuxedo with an off-white voile twill four-stud shirt for Craig at this year's Oscars. Dunhill offers bespoke service to mere mortals too. www.alfreddunhill.com

PLAYING IN THE RAIN—SUN MOUNTAIN GOLF BAG
You expect the sun's glare, but occasionally it rains on your golf parade. Sun Mountain's H2O Tech waterproof golf bag won't let sudden rain put a damper on your game. High-quality synthetic keeps water at bay, even on the zippers. The matching rain hood easily fits over the top of the bag so your clubs remain dry. The H2O is superlight and features taped seams, a built-in top-collar handle, a patented Roller Bottom stand mechanism and dual straps for comfortable, easy transport. The various pockets can hold your outerwear, water bottle, golf balls and cigars. www.sunmountain.com

CHAMPAGNE CHAIRS—VEUVE CLICQUOT LOVE SEAT
Modern love seats allow two people to recline cozily, side by side. But that hasn't always been the case. In the eighteenth century, love seats, or courting seats, were two-piece affairs, shaped like the letter "S," to cramp attempts at intimacy. Industrial designer Karim Rashid has taken that old design and put a modern spin on it. The limited-edition six-by-three-foot Veuve Clicquot Loveseat promotes comfort while sitting face to face or reclining on the large and deep petal-shaped, pink fiberglass seats while sipping Champagne from a removable ice bucket. www.E-Clicquot.com

$10,000 HAT—HARTFORD YORK
What could make a Panama hat worth $10,000? Consider what goes into the Montecristi Masterpiece from Hartford York. It takes 500 hours of work, combining the skills of six master craftsmen to weave just one hat from toquilla palm. The thread count of the straw in these superfino hats is 1,600 a square inch. Only five weavers remain in Montecristi, Ecuador (no, Panama hats are not made in Panama), who can work to that level of delicacy. Hartford York also offers Panamas from $700 to $1,000, but if you still want the Masterpiece, call and ask for Steve. 775-463-7648

ERGONOMIC GASTRONOMICS—AR+COOK
It's easy to get drawn in by the slick look of AR+COOK's (pronounced Art and Cook) kitchen utensils and the provocative nature of its cookbook, but don't think it's just another pretty face. Inspired by the air-filled soles of running shoes, the O2 Zinc and Titanium collections have air-infused handles that improve comfort and grip in their 49-tool spectrum. They are also exceptionally well balanced and durable. Then again, between the sleek design and the hot color choices, it's hard to ignore they look cool. www.artandcook.com

STEALTH STEREO—JL AUDIO
The quickest way to improve your car's stereo is to add a bass-thumping subwoofer. The problem is finding a place to mount one. JL Audio clears that roadblock with its Stealthboxes, a series of speaker mounts for its 10-inch subwoofer, each designed for a different car. JL has created boxes for over 100 different models, from Bimmer to VW. Each is customized with handcrafted fiberglass and complex composites molded into unique shapes to hide away on a specific vehicle. JL will even match your carpet color. www.jlaudio.com

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