Following a standout moment dressing pop star Chappell Roan in a striking medieval-inspired chainmail ensemble for the MTV Video Music Awards, Rabanne is set to captivate the fashion world once again. The brand will showcase three extraordinary accessories, including what is touted as the world’s “most expensive bag,” at its Spring 2025 runway show in Paris on Wednesday.
This unique piece, a one-of-a-kind 1969 Nano bag crafted from 18-karat gold, pays tribute to the legendary “most expensive dress” created by Paco Rabanne for French style icon Françoise Hardy in 1968. The dress, made from 1,000 gold tiles and adorned with 300 carats of diamonds, marked a significant moment in fashion history and will serve as a thematic cornerstone for this latest collection.
Paco Rabanne, who launched his brand in 1966 with the innovative collection “12 Unwearable Dresses in Contemporary Materials,” garnered acclaim for his pioneering use of unconventional materials, including metal, paper, plastics, and gold. Creative director Julien Dossena continues this legacy, steering the house—now owned by Puig—into a new era with this special project. He reflects on the remarkable publicity generated when Hardy wore the dress to a jewelry trade fair in Paris, arriving in an armored truck with a security escort, reminiscent of a “precious treasure.” This spectacle captured global attention and remains a defining moment in the brand’s history.
The handcrafted 1969 Golden Bag, set to be featured in the upcoming show, represents over 100 hours of meticulous work by Maison Rabanne in collaboration with esteemed French artisan jeweler Arthus Bertrand. Priced at €250,000, it stands as a testament to luxury craftsmanship.
In addition to the Golden Bag, Rabanne will unveil two other striking pieces. The Handcrafted 1969 Glass Bag, made of Murano glass pastilles, is crafted by the renowned Venini glassmaking house, established in Venice in 1921, famous for its distinctive marbling effects.
Moreover, the Handcrafted 1969 Ceramic Bag is constructed from ceramic discs by Astier de Villatte, a Parisian workshop that honors 18th-century manufacturing traditions. Utilizing the art of “estampage” (stamping), this technique allows for delicate textures and unique finishes, highlighting the exceptional craftsmanship of these accessories.
“They were really exceptional pieces to work with,” Dossena remarked. Following the runway show, these remarkable bags will be available for order at the Paris Rabanne boutique, inviting fashion enthusiasts to partake in this unique blend of art and luxury.
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