Fashion Week: free exhibition of a famous muse's haute couture wardrobe at Hôtel Drouot

The auction of the haute-couture wardrobe and extravagant jewelry of Irina Volkonskii-Rasquinet, designer and muse emeritus of Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, transforms Hôtel Drouot into a veritable temple of fashion. Don't miss the free exhibition of pieces on January 24 and 25, 2024, at the height of Paris Fashion Week!

On the occasion of the first Paris Fashion Week of the year, an exceptional fashion event is set to give the famous auction house in the 9th arrondissement of Paris a makeover:Hôtel Drouot. De Baecque et Associés announces the auction of the haute-couture wardrobe and unique jewelry of Jean-Charles de Castelajac's designer and muse, Irina Volkonskii-Rasquinet. Prior to this, the institution is organizing a free exhibition on January 24 and 25, 2024, which will enable fashion enthusiasts and collectors to discover the world of this extraordinary artist.

The 150 lots up for sale reflect Irina Volkonskii-Rasquinet's audacity and singular personality, blending couture pieces by major houses such as Alaïa, Christian Dior, Viktor & Rolf, Yves-Saint-Laurent, Chloé and, of course, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, with her extravagant jewelry creations.

Originally from Chechnya, she arrived in France in the 2000s, and is now renowned for her sculptures and paintings. She was once a model and muse for Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, whose thirty or so emblematic pieces will be unveiled at this fashion show, including the "État d'Urgence" coat from a fashion show in the Paris metro. Alongside it will be the boarding school blanket-style coat, the glove-covered tunic, the Pollock-style dress and the designer's creations for Disney.

The auction will also offer a glimpse of Irina Volkonskii-Rasquinet's original "jewelry" works, a mix of childhood and preciousness, figurines and gems. A total of 20 unique pieces - bracelets, pendants, sautoirs, watches, candlesticks, brooches - will be presented, most of them paying tribute to expressions of the French language. For example, "les cuillères en argent dans la bouche" ("silver spoons in your mouth") and pendants bobins qui "vous embobinent" ("reel you in") will come to life in the heart of Hôtel Drouot.