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A Record-Breaking Lalanne Hippo, Kering Unloads Major Real Estate & More

Lalanne’s $31.4 million hippo, Chanel’s record-setting bag, Kering’s Fifth Avenue play, and Sotheby’s Abu Dhabi debut all signaled a clear appetite for bold, rare, headline-making moves.
December 26, 2025
Photo: Sotheby’s/iStock

The year’s closing stretch serves as a reminder that , at its peak, still thrives on some good theatrics. From a surrealist hippo that rewrote the rules of collectible design to a Chanel bag that transformed runway wit into auction gold, the market showed its appetite for the unexpected.

Elsewhere, Kering treated Fifth Avenue real estate as both asset and stage, while Sotheby’s planted a confident flag in Abu Dhabi, drawing a new generation of global collectors. Together, these moments sketch a landscape increasingly defined by bold bets, crossover appeal, and the enduring power of objects that command attention and, yes, a lot of capital.

The Hippopotame Bar Reemerges in Historic Fashion

Photo: Sotheby’s

In quite the moment for both the design and the auction worlds, François-Xavier Lalanne’s Hippopotame Bar—a one-of-a-kind, hand-wrought copper creation—commanded US$31.4 million at Sotheby’s New York, shattering pre-sale expectations all the while setting a new global record for a design object at auction.

François-Xavier Lalanne, Hippopotame Bar, pièce unique, as seen in 1976. Photo: Sotheby’s

Commissioned in 1976 for the French heiress and patron Anne Schlumberger, the quirky yet impeccably crafted hippo-shaped bar sparked a fierce bidding duel, ultimately tripling its high estimate. This sale further underscores the surging appetite for rarified pieces that marry function and an audacious imagination.

The Chanel XXL “Shopping Basket” Bag Stuns at Auction

Photo: Christie’s

We love an unexpected twist on haute couture. The Chanel XXL “shopping basket” bag, with its whimsical lambskin and chain trim, comes from the house’s 2014 runway. And recently, it fetched a whopping US$152,400 at Christie’s online auction, marking a new record for a Chanel bag at auction.

More than a cheeky nod to everyday utility, the piece has become a testament to the power of those conversation-starting accessories in the luxury resale market lately. It seems as though collectors are now chasing iconic intrigue as much as they do classic cachet.

Kering Makes a Big Property Move

The Kering headquarters (former Hôpital Laennec) in Paris. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Kering moved decisively on Fifth Avenue this week, finalizing a US$900 million partnership with private-equity firm Ardian and selling a 60% stake in its prized New York retail property. The deal injects roughly US$690 million in fresh capital into the French group while allowing it to retain a meaningful foothold on one of the world’s most powerful shopping corridors.

Rather than retreat, Kering just unlocked value from real estate while safeguarding long-term prestige for maisons like Gucci, Saint Laurent, and Balenciaga. It’s a calculated play that underscores how conglomerates now treat trophy property as both brand theatre and balance-sheet leverage.

Sotheby’s Bets Big on Abu Dhabi

“Three Studies of Lucian Freud” (1976) by Francis Bacon sold for US$3.82 million Photo: Sotheby’s

Sotheby’s made a bold debut in the Gulf last week with its first-ever Abu Dhabi Collectors’ Week, a four-day festival of auctions and exhibitions that generated US$133.4 million in sales. The event drew in global collectors to the Emirates’ shores.

This Patek Philippe Star Caliber 2000 set is as rare as it gets. Photo: Sotheby’s

From a $25.3 million McLaren F1 and a US$11.9 million Patek Philippe Star Caliber 2000 set to record-setting Hermès Birkins and rare jewels, the week confirmed Abu Dhabi’s ascent as a must-stop luxury capital for cars, watches, handbags, and, yes, art. Nearly one-third of bidders were said to have been under 40, too, which sort of highlights a generational shift in the collector landscape.

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