THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING: BERNIE'S BUCKLE

Ivaan and his friend Bernie could have been brothers.  Strikingly good-looking and smart, they shared an ironic sense of humour, liked many of the same things, and both had a streak of individualism that abhorred convention. Recently, Bernie was telling me about a one-of-a-kind brass belt buckle Ivaan had made for him 30-odd years ago, which he still loves and wears frequently. I love seeing Ivaan's earlier work, especially the one-offs, so I asked Bernie to photograph it for me.

BERNIE'S BUCKLE © ESTATE OF IVAAN KOTULSKY

I love how it has the patina of age, yet the design is as fresh and current as though it were made just last week. Bernie had a custom belt made for it and treasures his buckle to this day.  It's amazing how well it has stood the test of time. Anyone who really knows Ivaan's work would recognize it immediately, yet it's unique.  I can almost guarantee that once I post this photo, people are going to start asking me if they can have a buckle just like it.  But I know what Ivaan would say: that, like his and Bernie's friendship, it's one of a kind, and that's the way they'd want it to remain.