French designer Marie Lichtenberg debuted her most ambitious piece to date at this week’s Couture Show in Las Vegas — a one-of-a-kind suede bandana that signals the brand’s entry into the world of high jewelry.
Priced at $270,540, the bandana is Lichtenberg’s highest-value piece so far. It showcases a unique mix of high-end European craftsmanship with a strong nod to American Western style. The sage green accessory took 280 hours to complete in Italian workshops, where artisans embroidered 386 gold elements onto the soft suede — a fabric off-cut from a French luxury house.
Decorated with gold beads, ruby-set stars, paisley-inspired teardrops, and bezel-set diamonds, the bandana is tied at the back with a gold bead chain. Instead of using traditional gem-setting techniques, Lichtenberg’s team developed a custom embroidery method that combines Italian expertise in gemstones with French leather artistry.
Known for blending pop culture with fine jewelry, Lichtenberg previously gained attention when her diamond star pendants were featured on the cover of Rapaport magazine, styled to resemble the American flag. Her latest inspiration draws from “cowboy culture and the Southern charm of the rodeo — blended with Parisian finesse,” according to the brand.
“This bandana marks a turning point for us,” Lichtenberg said. “It’s our first real step into high jewelry, and it reflects a new direction — combining pop culture with the highest levels of craftsmanship. I see it as a piece of jewelry couture.”
The piece includes 280 grams of gold, 17.68 carats of rubies, and 3.09 carats of diamonds.
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