Our IYKYK Gift Guide
Gift Guides

Playing the Angles: Our I.Y.K.Y.K. Gift Guide

Like the angular geometry of the Audemars Piguet [Re]master02, the following accessories are presents that “if you know, you know,” and if you don’t, no one will know.

By Rhonda Riche
Editor-At-Large

When Audemars Piguet unexpectedly announced the limited edition [Re]master02 in May, collectors were a little surprised that AP would reimagine a space-age, asymmetrical watch from 1961 with a design inspired by brutalism.

In the watch world, the term “IYKYK” (If You Know, You Know) doesn’t only mean you have unusual access to the big events and behind-the-scenes tours. That is because to “get” certain timepieces, you must be a connoisseur with a deep knowledge of a brand’s history. This phenomenon can be observed in trends across all sectors of the luxury markets – from shoes to handbags.

One of the most seismic shifts in the design of late is a return to edgy, angular objects like the [Re]master02. Designers are having fun exploring shapes and planes to construct things that are both minimalist and bold at the same time.

So, if you have a fan of experimental design on your gift list this season, here are a few high-end abstractions they will enjoy.

Audemars Piguet [Re]master02 Selfwinding Reference 15240SG

The idea behind the [RE]master line was to find classics from the Audemars Piguet archives and update them with modern materials and movements. The first in the [RE]master series, the [RE]master01, was a more traditional choice: a 40mm x 14.6mm flyback chronograph based on the 36.5mm ref. 1533 from the 1940s.
 

The [RE]master02 stands in almost complete contrast to that reissue. A time-only timepiece, it may be minimal in function, but with its brushed 41mm wide by 9.7mm thick sand gold asymmetrical case and facetted crystal, it’s all about looking at time through a different prism. Even the radiating lines of the “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” dial (the colorway of the original Royal Oak) seem to point to the past, present, and future all at once.
 

The [RE]master02 ref. 15240SG is limited to 250 pieces.

Elisa Johnson Lori Sunglasses

Independently owned, Elisa Johnson is a luxury eyewear brand designed by the brand’s namesake, based in Los Angeles, California, that launched in 2021. Elisa Johnson’s sexy specs prioritize design, materials, and craftsmanship while simultaneously merging different perspectives, like classic and current or luxury and street.

For us, the frames that best befit the LA state of mind are the Lori in Navy. They share a mix of hard lines and curves – just like architect Richard Maier’s Getty Center – while also projecting a movie star going incognito in a pair of vintage Cazals.
 

Poubel Charms

If you’re in the know, you already follow the parody account @gstaadguy on Instagram. The popularity of his affectionate swings at the jet set has led to collaborations with old-school luxury brands like Loro Piana. Now, the anonymous content creator has launched his own jewelry collection called Poubel by The Gstaad Guy.

Poubel (a take on the French Poubelle, a.k.a. a garbage can) is a build-your-own-accessory-adventure comprised of rhodium-plated sterling silver charms and pendants. First, you pick the enameled charms that best personify you (including a cute little vicuna, a wooden speed boat, and a pair of maillot-de-bains). Then, you select a bracelet or necklace made using recycled metal links that function like tiny carabiners to hang your charms. It’s interchangeable; it’s modular; it’s utterly cheeky and charming.
 

Maria McManus Shawl Collar Sweater in Vicuna

The clothing made by Irish American designer Maria McManus may be minimalist, but it puts a premium on materials. This classic Shawl Collar Sweater in Vicuna is inspired by the vintage après ski style, but it’s also a bit of knitted origami. Wear the outsized collar standing or folded over for two completely different looks.

McManus is also committed to sustainability. For example, this pull-on sweater is made from a blend of 50 percent recycled cashmere and 50 percent organic cotton.
 

Telfar Large Puff Shopper

Fashion designer Telfar Clemens, who grew up in New York and Maryland, started his fashion line in 2005 and gained attention in 2014 for a handbag known as “the Bushwick Birkin.”

However, while Clemens’s unisex collections have established Telfar as one of the most sought-after labels in the world, his approach to shape and construction is still shaking the foundations of the fashion industry.

Take, for example, this quilted nylon puff – (which is now available for the first time in large). It features a double strap so that it can function as a handbag, over-the-shoulder, or cross-body. It also does triple duty as a roomy everyday purse, a weekender, or if you have holiday travel plans, it can be the ultimate carry-on.
 

Loewe Toy Slipper in Nappa Lambskin

Formerly a traditional but slightly stodgy Spanish luxury Maison, Loewe has been reinvigorated by the surrealist stylings of creative director J.W. Anderson. Anderson loves to futz around with fashion norms, such as sending minaudières shaped like pigeons down the runway and featuring 88-year-old Oscar-winning actress Maggie Smith in an ad campaign.

Here, with its toy slipper in nappa lambskin, Loewe presents a slightly less subversive take on that old money classic, the mule. These slippers are made from super soft lambskin and don’t seem much different than something Cole Porter would wear lounging around the penthouse.

Finally, take a closer look at the molded, petal-shaped toe. It’s a welcome touch of avant-garde flair that would be welcome under any tree this season.
 

Happy Holidays!

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