Visionary designer Paco Rabanne first made a name for himself in the 1960s when he introduced dresses, handbags and other clothing and accessories that went against the common sensibilities of the time and challenged the public's perception of what fashion should be. By working with unlikely materials such as paper and Rhodoid — a cellulose acetate plastic often used to line baking pans — Rabanne forced the fashion world to reconsider materials and form.
Rabanne was born Francisco Rabaneda y Cuervo in Spain’s Basque region. His mother was the head seamstress at Balenciaga when she relocated herself and her son to France in 1939 to escape the Spanish Civil War. Once in France, he took on the name Paco Rabanne.
Rabanne studied architecture at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris but pivoted toward fashion and began to design accessories and costume jewelry. Rabanne collaborated with many acclaimed luxury houses — his early clients included Charles Jourdan, Givenchy, Pierre Cardin and Dior.
By 1966, Rabanne was working on avant-garde designs in his own newly-opened studio. He introduced a couture collection titled “Twelve Unwearable Dresses in Contemporary Materials.” The garments — made of aluminum, plastic and eco-friendly paper and fastened with wire — were unveiled at a show that featured music and models of color (both uncommon characteristics for such an event). Sculptural, sexy and solidly Space Age in appearance, Rabanne’s experiments turned heads. Pop star-actresses Brigitte Bardot and Françoise Hardy would soon be seen in the designer’s iconic metallic dresses, and Rabanne found enthusiasts in the likes of revolutionary couturier Elsa Schiaparelli and art collector Peggy Guggenheim. In 1968 Rabanne designed leather boots and erotically charged dresses made of molded plastic and chain-mail mesh for the science fiction film Barbarella.
Rabanne called Salvador Dalí a close friend and drew on the Surrealist movement in his designs. He continued to use unconventional materials in his work. From aluminum jersey and fur to ostrich feathers and Velcro, everything was suitable for his pioneering garments. And Rabanne’s talents are diverse — his prolific output even includes stylish furniture.
In 1999 Rabanne retired from the fashion business. In 2010 he was named Officer of the Legion d’Honneur by the French culture minister. Today, under the creative direction of French designer Julien Dossena, the Paco Rabanne brand continues to innovate and offer looks that nod to the past as well as the future.
Find vintage Paco Rabanne clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
Paco Rabanne Chainmail Necklace
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Nice, FR
PACO RABANNE vintage necklace showcasing a bronze-tone chainmail grid adorned with dangling clear glass chips. Lobster clasp. Adjustable length. Marked PACO RABANNE Paris. Indicat...
Paco Rabanne Paris Futuristic Chrome and Enamel Necklace
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Atlanta, GA
French designer Paco Rabanne, Paris, designed this rare, geometric Space Age necklace. The fabulous piece was crafted in France. This unique, futuristic piece features black enamel m...
Enamel
PACO RABANNE Vintage Silver Tone Modernist Chain Necklace
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Nice, FR
PACO RABANNE vintage silver tone double chain necklace featuring two large 3-dimensional modernist square links. Lobster clasp closure. Embossed PACO RABANNE. Indicative measureme...
PACO RABANNE Vintage Electric Blue Bead & Silver Tone Metal Choker Necklace
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Nice, FR
PACO RABANNE vintage choker necklace featuring four strands of electric blue facetted glass beads alterning with tubular silver tone elements. Lobster clasp closure. Marked PACO RA...
PACO RABANNE Vintage Rhodoid and Metal Discs Necklace
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Nice, FR
PACO RABANNE vintage necklace featuring articulated silver tone metal discs embellished with black and clear rhodhoid disc cascade. Lobster clasp closure. ...
Paco Rabanne Pastille Necklace
By Paco Rabanne
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
PACO RABANNE - (Made in France) Necklace made of silvery metal pastilles, and black and transparent rhodoid pastilles. Additional information: Condition: Good condition Dimensions: ...
Silver Sautoir with Wood Beads by Paco Rabanne
By Paco Rabanne
Located in PARIS, FR
This long necklace is a creation by Paco Rabanne. This long necklace is composed of oversized dark wood beads, joined by a silver-toned fine chain. There is no clasp for this necklac...
Base Metal
Paco Rabanne Golden Necklace Made of Articulated Plates
By Paco Rabanne
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Paco Rabanne - Golden metal necklace made of articulated plates. Additional information: Condition: Good condition Dimensions: Length: from 52 cm to 55 cm Seller Reference: BC216
Paco Rabanne pendant necklace
By Paco Rabanne
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
PACO RABANNE - (Made in France) Silvery metal pendant necklace. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Length: 70 cm - Pendant: 11 cm x 11 cm SKU:BC8
Paco Rabanne 2010s Multi-String Black Beaded Necklace
By Paco Rabanne
Located in CAPELLE AAN DEN IJSSEL, ZH
Designer Background: Paco Rabanne, a pioneering force in avant-garde fashion, is renowned for his unconventional use of industrial materials and futuristic aesthetics. Known for crea...
Paco Rabanne Silvery Necklace with Rhinestones
By Paco Rabanne
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Paco Rabanne - Dark-silvery metal necklace with rhinestones. Additional information: Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Length: 40 cm to 44 cm Seller Reference: BC167
$29,500
H 7 in W 1.5 in L 30 in
Massive and Important Moghul Style Necklace by Maison Gripoix For Chanel
By Chanel
Located in Riverdale, NY
Large and Important Moghul Style Necklace by Maison Gripoix. Luxuriously colored pate de verre, crystal pastes and faux pearls, completely hand made by Maison Gripoix and caftan ready. This is the kind of necklace that evokes a different time and place, as well as a style of living that rarely exists nowadays. The Iris Apfels or Dodie Rosenkrantz's would have worn this necklace, layered 10 deep, to a casual event in Venice or Palm Beach, bare feet in the sand. Exquisite quality in a process no longer used by the house of Chanel. Marked "France". Made in France 1960's. Excellent condition. The drop on tassel from necklace is 7". Tassel is 1.25" in width. Length is 24" with 6" extender. Width of links is 1.5" Another Short Example of this Moghul necklace...
Gilt Metal
Philippe Ferrandis Exclusively For Isabelle K Jewelry Chocker
By Philippe Ferrandis
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
One of a kind amazing design. Flowers are one of Phillipe’s favorite theme. Mix of Swarovski crystals, hand painted enameled petals, handmade glass cabochons. 24carat gilded brass. E...
18 Kt Rose Gold and Pink Sapphire Cross Necklace
Located in Cattolica, IT
A beautiful 18 kt rose gold choker with a square cross pendant ( Latin cross ). The pendant is embellished with a pavè of round brilliant-cut pink sapphires of intense and refined co...
Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold
Yves Saint Laurent necklace with rhinestones
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT - (Made in France) Short golden metal necklace with colorful rhinestones. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Length: 42 cm SKU:BC147
Gilt Metal
Cuban Link Necklace 14kt 113 Grams
Located in New York, NY
Classic Cuban Link Necklace 14kt Yellow Gold Weight: 113 Grams 24 inches length. Each Link: 15.2mm Wide / 6.4mm thick Comfortable clasp
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Hermes Kelly Chaine Lariat Diamond Rose Gold Necklace Small Model
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Kelly Chaine Lariat Necklace. Featured in 18K Rose Gold and a diamond Kelly lock clasp in the small model. Set with 41 ...
Diamond, Rose Gold
Francoise Montague Gold & Black Elke Necklace
By Francoise Montague
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
An Isabelle K Jewelry best seller! This famous necklace from Francoise Montague is made with tubes in a gold metallic treatment and black handmade glass pearls. As seen in the book...
A Victorian gold and pearl link necklace
Located in London, GB
A Victorian gold and pearl link necklace, the sixteen rectangular links each set with three pearls in an openwork design, all alternatively set with quatrefoil links each set with a pearl, mounted in yellow gold with two concealed clasps, circa 1860, measuring 45 x 1.1cm, gross weight 48.3 grams. This antique necklace is in very good condition for its age. Unmarked, tested as 18ct gold, with 15ct gold clasps. A gleaming gold and pearl link necklace on sale...
Pearl, 15k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
14 Karat Yellow Gold Collar Necklace
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Material: 14K yellow gold Dimensions: necklace measures 13 inches in length Weight: 9.50 grams
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$952Sale Price|35% Off
W 18 in
Boks & Baum Paris Turquoise, Agate, Amazonite, and Jade Statement Necklace
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
From Boks & Baum Paris, this fabulous statement piece is made with Lurex, Rayon, Swarovski Crystal, African Turquoise, Agate, Amazonite, Aventurine, Chrysoprase, Jade, and Murano gla...
$11,900 / set
W 0.79 in Dm 0.91 in L 29.53 in
Estate Pearl Sautoir Necklace Earrings Ruby Diamond Suit
Located in Napoli, IT
Elegance Spotlight This unique vintage Pearl Ruby & Diamond suit is the epitome of timeless elegance, hand crafted 18 kt gold components bearing English hallmarks for London 1977 The suit consists of a long five strands Pearl necklace...
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage Boho Malachite Three-Stranded Necklace
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This Vintage Boho Malachite Three-Stranded Necklace brings together rich color, natural elegance, and artistic craftsmanship in a striking layered design. Each strand is adorned with...
Malachite
PACO RABANNE Silver Tone Chainmail Necklace
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Nice, FR
PACO RABANNE vintage necklace showcasing a silver-tone chainmail grid adorned with dangling clear glass chips. Lobster clasp. Adjustable length. Marked PACO RABANNE Paris. Indicat...
Paco Rabanne Chainmail Drop Necklace
By Paco Rabanne
Located in London, GB
CONDITION is Very good. Hardly any visible wear to the necklace is evident on this used Paco Rabanne designer resale item. This item comes with the original box and dust bag. ...
Paco Rabanne Gold Chainmail Pocket Necklace
By Paco Rabanne
Located in London, GB
CONDITION is Very good. Minimal wear to the necklace is evident. There are mild scratches on the front engraved plate of this used Paco Rabanne designer resale item. This item comes ...
Paco Rabanne Chainmail Drop Necklace
By Paco Rabanne
Located in London, GB
CONDITION is Very good. Hardly any visible wear to the necklace is evident on this used Paco Rabanne designer resale item. This item comes with the original box and dust bag. ...
Paco Rabanne Gold Chainmail Pocket Necklace
By Paco Rabanne
Located in London, GB
CONDITION is Very good. Minimal wear to the necklace is evident. There are mild scratches on the front engraved plate of this used Paco Rabanne designer resale item. This item comes ...
Paco Rabanne Mesh Necklace
By Paco Rabanne
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Paco Rabanne - Long golden and silvery metal necklace holding a tiny mesh bag. Additional information: Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Length: 65 cm Seller Reference: BC136
Paco Rabanne Black Leather and Silver Metal Choker Necklace
By Paco Rabanne
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
PACO RABANNE - Chocker necklace in black leather and silver metal like a belt. Size M. Additional information: Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Length: 32 cm / 34 cm / 37 ...
Silver
Paco Rabanne Short Necklace
By Paco Rabanne
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Paco Rabanne - (Attributed to) Short necklace made of cabochons, resin and glass paste beads. Not signed. Additional information: Condition: Good condition Dimensions: Length: 38 cm...
Paco Rabanne Golden Two-row Necklace
By Paco Rabanne
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Paco Rabanne - (Made in France) Golden metal two-row necklace with openwork medallions representing star signs. Additional information: Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: L...
Paco Rabanne Style Massive Futuristic Drapery Link Necklace
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Atlanta, GA
This gorgeous French necklace is a killer piece. The sculptural bib drapery shape boasts inter-connecting geometric gilt metal links. This extra-long futuristic design has an around-...
Gilt Metal
Paco Rabanne Silvery Metal Necklace, 2000s
By Paco Rabanne
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Paco Rabanne - Silvery metal necklace with transparent pearls. Jewelry from the beginning of the 2000s. Additional information: Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Length: fr...
Paco Rabanne Ethnic Silver Plated and Brown Seeds Necklace
By Paco Rabanne
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Paco Rabanne - Necklace composed of silver plated and brown seeds. Additional information: Dimensions: Length: 108 cm (42.51") Condition: Very good condition Seller Ref number: BC1308
Silver Plate