The Facts
Bonhams will present '1910-2010, 100 years of Haute Couture' on 21 October 2026 in Paris, featuring vintage pieces from two European collections. The sale charts the evolution of haute couture from the 1920s to modern designs, with a focus on early creations by Gabrielle Chanel and Madeleine Vionnet. Leading lots include a 1928 Chanel Nile green tulle evening gown (estimate €6,000–8,000) and a circa 1925 short embroidered dress (€5,000–7,000), alongside Vionnet's 1923 checked woollen coat. The auction also spans designs by Christian Dior, Hubert de Givenchy, Cristóbal Balenciaga, and Thierry Mugler.
The Signal
The sale offers collectors a rare opportunity to acquire museum-quality pieces from formative periods of fashion history, particularly the 1920s and 1930s when Chanel and Vionnet redefined silhouette and construction. Bonhams' director Hubert Felbacq emphasized the collection as a dialogue between designers and eras, highlighting how haute couture responds to cultural shifts. For vintage fashion collectors and institutions, this auction provides a curated cross-section of 20th-century style, with accessible estimates that may attract both seasoned and new buyers.
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- Artists: Gabrielle Chanel, Madeleine Vionnet, Christian Dior, Hubert de Givenchy, Cristóbal Balenciaga, Thierry Mugler
- People: Hubert Felbacq
- Auction Houses: Bonhams
- Locations: Paris
- Prices: €6,000–8,000, €5,000–7,000, €3,000–5,000, €4,000–6,000, €2,000–4,000
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