A Breton sale of objects that belonged to Paco Rabanne generates 440,000 euros in revenue

Sculptures, drawings, crystal ball: 300 objects from the last resting place, on the Breton coast, of the Spanish fashion designer Paco Rabanne were sold for a total of more than 440,000 euros (costs included) on Saturday at an auction in Brest .

The highlight of the sale was a chainmail dress with floral motifs, created by Paco Rabanne in 1966, which was sold for 29,000 euros (excluding costs). It was acquired by Maison Paco Rabanne, auctioneer Yves Cosquéric told AFP. "They bought a lot of things: the two dresses, the thimble and the gold needle, drawings of dresses and awards" that the couturier had received, said Yves Cosquéric. Generally speaking, “all the lots were disputed. It's a great success”, rejoiced the auctioneer.

A crystal ball that belonged to the fashion designer, who in 1999 predicted the fall of the Mir station in Paris, sold for 1,050 euros. A bottle of perfume was sold for 1,400 euros, while the confidant sofa, created by Paco Rabanne for his house in Portsall (Finistère), was sold for 7,200 euros. The golden die and the golden needle of French Haute Couture found takers at 3,000 euros each. A long purple velvet dress was sold for 6,500 euros while a batch of 55 dress designs was sold for 2,700 euros. “Paco Rabanne gave little importance to the aftermath. He was a mystic, he lived in daily life. He said (to his universal legatee) you do what you want, if you want, you sell everything. That's what happened," Yves Cosquéric told AFP before the sale.

Among the income from the sale (approximately 353,000 euros excluding costs), "60% goes to the State to pay inheritance tax", specified the auctioneer, because the universal legatee is not a close relative of the couturier. Famous for his futuristic metal outfits, as well as his eccentric statements, the designer died aged 88 at his seaside home in Portsall. His family had taken refuge in France after the Spanish Civil War.