French luxury brand Rabanne has introduced a new contender for the title of the world’s most expensive bag, challenging the iconic Hermes Birkin. The 1969 Golden Bag, made entirely from 18-karat gold, was revealed during Rabanne’s Spring 2025 runway show at Paris Fashion Week.
This stunning purse is a tribute to the brand’s iconic minidress designed for French singer Françoise Hardy in 1968. That original dress, made of 1,000 gold plaques and encrusted with 300 carats of diamonds, was once considered the “Most Expensive Dress” in the world.
Created in collaboration with renowned jeweler Arthus Bertrand, the 1969 Golden Bag carries a hefty price tag of €250,000 (approximately Rs 2.32 crore) and required over 100 hours of meticulous craftsmanship. The bag’s chainmail design is made from interlinked gold discs, adding to its luxurious appeal.
Since its founding in 1966, Paco Rabanne has been known for its avant-garde approach to fashion, often using unconventional materials like metal and plastic. The brand first gained recognition with its “12 Unwearable Dresses in Contemporary Materials” collection.
In addition to the Golden Bag, Rabanne introduced two other innovative accessories at Paris Fashion Week: the 1969 Glass Bag, made from glass pastilles by Italian glassmaker Venini, and the 1969 Ceramic Bag, crafted from small clay discs by Parisian workshop Astier de Villatte.