A remarkable chapter in fashion history is currently unfolding as PENELOPE’S auction house, in collaboration with the Rabanne fashion house and its Heritage & Archives department, presents a once-in-a-lifetime auction celebrating the avant-garde genius of Paco Rabanne. Running online from April 23 to May 5, 2025, on the Drouot platform, the auction spotlights the deeply personal and artistic legacy between Rabanne and his long-time muse, model Kathy Jean-Louis.
At the heart of this curated event is the rare opportunity to acquire over two decades of haute couture creations and jewelry from Jean-Louis’s private collection—each piece a vivid reflection of Rabanne’s innovative spirit and fearless aesthetic. With standout lots like an ethereal wedding gown from the 1984 Spring/Summer collection and an unforgettable 1993 sequined evening dress, collectors and fashion connoisseurs alike are offered a rare look into the creative partnership that helped define Rabanne’s fashion identity during the 1980s and ’90s.
The sale also features three couture pieces from directors Jacobo Romano and Jorge Zulueta, in addition to iconic designs spanning the 1960s through the 1990s. These include everything from sharply tailored smoking ensembles to futuristic metallic pieces that exemplify Rabanne’s reputation as a rule-breaker and visionary.
More than a fashion sale, the event is an emotional tribute to a bond rooted in mutual respect, artistry, and inspiration. Kathy Jean-Louis was more than a model—she was Rabanne’s confidante, his muse, and the living embodiment of his vision. As the world turns its attention to Paris for this auction, it also reflects on the quiet intimacy and creative fire that powered one of fashion’s most iconic partnerships.
With this event, fashion lovers can do more than admire history—they can own a piece of it.
