The iconic 1969 bag
The 1969 bag bridges past and present through iconic design and artisanal technique. Assembled by hand as a seamless surface of metal pastilles, the bag is the quintessential expression of Paco Rabanne-avant-garde when created fifty years ago and timelessly modern today.
DiscoverThe story behind the 1969 bag
The concept can be traced back to the steel aprond historically worn by butchers in France. In the spirit of Marcel Duchamp's ready-mades, Paco Rabanne reimagined this protective sheet of scale-like discs as a compact bag. For the straps, he adapted toilet flush chains. With little more than a pair of pliers, the bag materialized as an ingeinous statement; at once redifining traditional methods of savoir-faire and embodying the brand's use of experimental fashion materials. And despite the absence of a logo, the bag became recognizable and coveted-partly owing to Françoise Hardy and Brigitte Bardot who appear in photographs carrying it through daily life.
TIME OUT starring Adèle Exarchopoulos
Departing somewhere; arriving somewhere else. What plays out in-between is Time Out, a story that transcends time and space.
Adèle embodies an alluring protagonist – alone except for our gaze. Her dress signals a certain hedonism; quotidian glamour and opulent evenings. From one moment to the next, she appears captive, then free – as though escaping from an intense and lavish love story. Deliberately placed and draped in her midst are iconic XL Link jewellery and 1969 bags.
The 1969 family
Created from experimental materials, the 1969 metallic handbag embodies the innovative elegance of the House of Paco Rabanne. Our artisanal approach assembles metal pieces and discs by hand, and each golden or silver handbag has a timeless and incredibly modern style. Adorned with chain straps, a regular-sized or mini designer handbag from the 1969 range adds a striking accent to any look.
The iconic 1969 bag design
Recently relaunched as the 1969 bag, the original design features one significant update: a shift away from heavy steel to lighter aluminum with new lustrous finishes in sliver and pale gold. Consisting of 367 pastilles for the original size and 120 for the mini format, the assembly continues to be by hand. As a signature product within the Paco Rabanne offering, this re-edition accompanies Julien Dossena’s runway collections and is available year-round in stores. Fifty years on, the bag gives off a distinctive, familiar swish in sound and feel. To some, it is considered a standout accessory; to others, a bag that doubles as jewellery; and to others still, a piece of design art worthy of display.
The new address of Paco Rabanne
Paco Rabanne opens the doors of its new Parisian boutique in the heart of one of the most iconic streets in French fashion, at 39 avenue Montaigne.
This new address presents a room entirely dedicated to the House's iconic pieces and its know-how: archival dresses from the 1960s, the iconic 1969 bag, but also more recent collections by Julien Dossena.
