Lot Essay
Rabanne's characteristic surfaces of overlapping metal discs were originally inspired by butcher's metal aprons. In 1968, Rabanne added a lavatory chain to a handbag, a reference to Marcel Duchamp's 'ready- mades', and an irreverent homage to Coco Chanel's famous chain handbag strap. 'He's not a coutourier, but a metal worker', explained Coco Chanel of Rabanne.