Essentials: Dolly Cohen, Custom Grill Jeweler

Dolly Cohen may not be a name that you’re familiar with, but you’re definitely familiar with her work. She’s a celebrity jeweler and her specialty lies in grills. Previously a dental assistant, Cohen began making these hip-hop favorites in 2005. Now 10 years into the game, she’s proud to count the likes of A$AP Rocky, Rihanna, Cara Delevingne, Drake (plus the whole OVO crew), Madonna and many more as loyal customers. Oh, and those mouthpieces on the runway at Hood By Air’s Spring/Summer 2016 show and the ones at Givenchy’s Fall/Winter 2015? Also the work of Cohen’s. She stands by just one rule — that no set is ever remade, so you can be rest assured that yours is as customized as they come. All of her grills are handmade to fit the teeth and jaw of the wearer, and are constructed of sterile chromium chromate.

Needless to say, her work is in high demand. She travels to her customers but is based out of a laboratoire in Paris’ seventh arrondissement. Having to meet her clients means she needs to carry her grill-making essentials with her, which include a range of dental items such as scalpels, rubber gloves, spatulas and clamp mold sets. Additionally, basic necessities such as her glasses, passport, lipstick and of course, phone and iPad are always nearby. While each tooth takes Cohen around a day to make, they definitely do not come cheap. Not too shabby for a jeweler whose network was built through word of mouth.