Paris – Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr held its second dedicated Haute Couture sale: 1910-2010, 100 Years of Haute Couture from Paul Poiret to Rick Owens on April 16, 2025. The live sale featured exquisite designs from various collections that evoke the epitome of fashion refinement across the decades from Paul Poiret, Gabrielle Chanel, Cristóbal Balenciaga, Christian Dior, Jeanne Lanvin, Grès, Madeleine Vionnet, Elsa Schiaparelli, Yves Saint Laurent, Paco Rabanne, Thierry Mugler, Pierre Cardin, Rick Owens and Courrèges.

The top lot was a Paco Rabanne aluminium plate dress, circa 1967, which achieved €51,200 against a pre-sale estimate of €12,000-18,000. The dress is a signifier of the 1960s style and saw Rabanne became known for using innovative fabrics, new technologies and embracing space engineering in his designs. Additional impressive results for designs by Paco Rabanne included a Haute Couture collection, circa 1967, short evening dress with gold sequins, which sold for €23,040 against a pre-sale estimate of €6,000-8,000.

The 391-lot sale made a total of €1,045,517, with 81% sold by lot and 100% sold by value.

Hubert Felbacq, Head of Fashion and Bags at Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr in Paris commented: "The world of Haute couture continues to capture people's imaginations, and we were delighted to present one-off pieces of exceptional craftsmanship designed by the ateliers including important designs from the pinnacle of the fashion elite, namely Gabrielle Chanel, Christian Dior and Jeanne Lanvin. The sale delivered exceptional results, notably for a rare 1967 Paco Rabanne dress and John Galliano for Christian Dior evening dress, both sold above pre-sale estimates. The auction achieved more than 1 million euros while the preview exhibition ahead of the live sale, saw over 1500 visitors across three days. Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr is now firmly established as the rendez-vous for Haute Couture lovers, it is a delight to be able to share the secret world of fashion at auction".

Another exceptional result was a John Galliano for Christian Dior, ready-to-wear collection, Fall-Winter 1997, Chinese inspired evening dress. Designed in anise-coloured damask silk featuring a small stand-up collar embroidered with floral motifs and imitation pearls. The dress sold for €38,400 against an estimate of €1,500-2,000.

A John Galliano for Christian Dior, ready-to-wear Collection, Fall-Winter 1997, Chinese inspired evening dress achieved €38,400

Another highlight was a Chanel, designed by Gabrielle Chanel, Haute Couture collection, Spring-Summer 1927, short evening gown in pink silk satin and mechanical lace. The dress is entirely embroidered with small white pearls. A similar model was exhibited in the V&A's 2023 "Gabrielle Chanel, Fashion Manifesto" exhibition. Sold for €17,920 against an estimate of €4,000-6,000.

Other exceptional results included:

• A Madeleine Vionnet, Haute Couture collection, Spring-Summer 1938, long evening dress in ivory crepe. Sold for €32,000, more than 10 times its pre-sale estimate of €3,000-5,000.

• A Yves Saint Laurent, Haute Couture collection, Fall-Winter, 1966, short evening dress in embroidered chiffon. Sold for €19,200 against a pre-sale estimate of €3,000-4,000.

• A Gabrielle Chanel, Haute Couture collection, Spring-Summer 1927, short evening dress in pink silk satin and machine-made lace. Sold for €17,920 against a pre-sale estimate of €4,000-6,000.

• A John Galliano for Christian Dior, ready-to-wear, circa 2000, blackened metal choker and hairpin, fully rhinestoned. The design features multiple chains holding tassels, signed with the house logo. Sold for €11,520 against a pre-sale estimate of €700-900.

• A Christian Dior, Haute Couture collection, Spring-Summer 1954, dancing dress. Sold for €10,880 against an estimate of €2,000-3,000.

17 April 2025