A Closer Look

Two exceptional dresses by one of fashion’s most forward-thinking designers, Iris van Herpen, sold for a combined price of €125,000 during our Luxury Week sales in Paris.

The gowns, which were worn at the 2021 Met Gala by musician Grimes and the actress Gabriele Union, were the final two lots in Paris Jewels on 25 May 2022. They were offered with no buyer’s premium, with all proceeds from the sales donated to the Amazon Conservation Association and the Rainforest Trust Foundation.

Take a closer look at these special Iris van Herpen dresses:

“The dresses are spectacular, worn by Grimes and Gabrielle Union to one of the fashion highlights of the year – the Met Gala. With cutting edge technology and breath-taking design both dresses occupy an important part of fashion history, and truly are works of art that need to be seen to be believed.”
Meg Randell, Head of UK & Europe for Fashion and Handbags

Lot 270

Iris van Herpen: The 'Bene Gesserit' Gown

At the 2021 Met Gala, Grimes wore this custom designed gown entitled the ‘Bene Gesserit’. The dress is inspired by a distant future as part of the 2021 Dune movie and the Bene Gesserit cult. It is made from silver liquid silicone with a mirror finish and arranged in a laser-cut labyrinth culminating in a 3-dimensional relief on a nude illusion bodice. Each silicone piece is individually hand-casted in three layers. This process took over 300 hours.

From the intricate bodice, twenty-six meters of dramatically draped silk was hand pleated and gradient-died from white to black; the process of making the ‘Bene Gesserit’ Gown from start to finish took over 900 hours.

Looking to buy a Iris van Herpen dress? Our Designer Handbags & Fashion team can help you find one at auction or via a private sale. Contact your local specialist

Original sketch, signed by Iris van Herpen.

Grimes at the 2021 Met Gala.

Bodice detail of Lot 270. Iris van Herpen: The 'Bene Gesserit' Gown. Estimate: €10,000 - €15,000.

Original sketch, signed by Iris van Herpen.

Gabriele Union at the 2021 Met Gala.

Back of dress detail. Lot 271. Iris van Herpen: The 'Aeternus' Gown. Estimate: €10,000 - €15,000.

Lot 271

Iris van Herpen: The 'Aeternus' Gown

The ‘Aeternus’ Gown, worn by Gabrielle Union, is composed of over 10,000 spheres, cut and layered in size gradients from a translucent white ‘liquid’ fabric and laser cut with a fine silver reflective outline. The numerous spheres were then handstitched individually to create a seamless and multilevel optical illusion from which three-dimensional waves flare out weightlessly. The delicate and most intricate handwork took over 1,400 hours of making alone.

All proceeds from the sale of the Iris van Herpen dresses were donated to the Amazon Conservation Association and the Rainforest Trust Foundation.

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