There’s S&M done the R-rated version. Then there’s the fashion-forward and arty kind, as seen on the likes of Rihanna and Madonna. New jewellery label Alijst (say “a-list”), which just launched this month, falls under the latter.

Helmed by Singaporean designer Jil Lin and her Dutch-Indonesian counterpart Stacy Noz, their debut collection, entitled Domina, takes a leaf from the titillating art of bondage sans the dominatrix baggage. There are the subtle references to whips, cuffs and studs, but these are done in a more graphic and modern way using 18K gold-plated sterling silver and calfskin leather.

Their USP: newfangled ways to wear jewellery. Think a choker that comes with tassels at the back (perfect for bareback dresses) or a coil ring with an elongated spike that’s part edgy, part subversive. The Lasalle College of the Arts-trained Noz is managing director of the brand and handles the business side of things, while Lin, an alum of Raffles Design Institute, is creative director.

Each piece – from US$150 ($210) to US$850 ($1,190) – is crafted in Hong Kong and is currently stocked on their e-store (www.alijst.com). Imran Jalal picks his favourites.