Style file: this month’s editor’s picks – from Fendi’s transformable Origami bag to Audemars Piguet’s Matthew Williams collab and a celebration of skateboarding street fashion

Nov 7 , 2023

Three fashion highlights from October, including the Fendi Origami bag. Photo: Handout

As winter approaches, the twin worlds of fashion and luxury are hotting up ahead of the holiday season. From big launches to timely trends, here’s our wrap of three fashionable finds every self-respecting Style reader should know about this month.

Audemars Piguet’s epic 1017 Alyx collab

Audemars Piguet x 1017 Alyx 9SM Royal Oak. Photo: Handout

We let out a silent squeal when Audemars Piguet unveiled its collaboration with American fashion designer Matthew Williams, the founder of contemporary streetwear brand 1017 Alyx 9SM and the creative director of French brand Givenchy. This limited-edition release from the Swiss luxury watchmaker introduces four new Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore references. Available in sizes ranging from 37mm to 42mm, the three distinct finishes – 18k yellow gold, 18k white gold and a two-tone version – are infused with the Chicago-born designer’s pared-back aesthetic, and mark the first time that the same design has been used for both Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore lines.

Instead of a tapisserie dial – the patterned motif that appears on all Royal Oak timepieces – all four models feature a minimalist design with a vertical satin finishing and the Audemars Piguet and 1017 Alyx 9SM signatures. The fact that there are no hour markers gives the series a super-clean look and contemporary feel. In addition to these four limited runs, Williams also collaborated with the brand on a unique Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph 41mm – the preserve of one lucky buyer only.

A skateboarding exhibition invades London’s Design Museum

A current exhibition at London’s Design Museum looks at the history of skateboarding and its connections with street fashion and art. Photo: Handout

After making its debut at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, skateboarding is now getting the museum treatment with an exhibition at London’s Design Museum. Named simply “Skateboard”, the show looks back at the beginnings of the sport in the 50s, when the first versions of today’s boards originated in California. Made of rudimentary roller skate trucks nailed to wooden crates, those pieces sit next to modern-day creations such as the Long Live Southbank deck made by London cult streetwear label Palace in 2017.

Among other rare items on display are the first professional board owned by the legendary Tony Hawk in 1982, and VHS tapes, magazines and other memorabilia charting the history of skateboarding and its close connection with street fashion and art. Runs until to June 2, 2024.

Fendi’s functional new Origami bag

Silvia Venturini Fendi, artistic director of accessories and menswear at Fendi, knows how to make desirable bags without compromising on comfort and practicality. Her latest creation, the Origami, switches from a bucket shape into a tote just by pulling leather straps on the side. The bag is named after the ancient Japanese folding art of origami, which transforms sheets of paper into striking decorative models.

Fashion

Former Givenchy creative director Matthew Williams is behind hip streetwear brand 1017 Alyx 9SM – which just made an unlikely foray into high horology alongside Audemars Piguet
Silvia Venturini Fendi took cues from the ancient Japanese art of paper folding for the Origami handbag, while skateboarding’s influence on streetwear is celebrated at London’s Design Museum