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 Electric Blue Space Curtain for Baumann AG, Switzerland 1970s
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Milan, IT
Fashion Designer Paco Rabanne Rare Electric Blue and Silver Space Curtain for Baumann AG, Switzerland 1970s
Plastic
Ceramic Wall Decoration for Anonymous artist
Located in Sagaponack, NY
Ceramic wall decoration comprised of various sized ceramic shapes strung together with thin black wire each with a matte finish orange to black glaze. The three largest and irregular...
Ceramic
Study of Space Wall Sculpture iii by Dechem Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Study of Space Wall Sculpture III by Dechem Studio. Dimensions: D 2 x W 77 x H 100 cm. Materials: hand-painted birch plywood. Exploring factors of depth perception such as shape and...
Birch, Plywood
Large Pedro Friedeberg Relief Sculpture/Wall Art, 1970s
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early and spectacular example. "Comprendtendo Mu" (I Understand) Acrylic, pen and Ink and carved wood. Signed, titled and dated 1970.
Acrylic
$2,147
H 23.5 in W 9.5 in D 2 in
Masterly Crafted w. Edelweiss Flowers Swiss Black Forest Barometer & Thermometer
Located in Lisse, NL
Top museum quality carved Swiss barometer / weather station This antique barometer is not only about the actuality of the weather, it is also a true work of art and a real pleasure to look at. The attention to detail is incredible and it must have taken a true craftsman weeks rather than days to design and finish the carved frame alone. At a later stage, the handcrafted barometer (in German) and the thermometer (in Celsius & Fahrenheit) were integrated. Notice how the Edelweiss Flowers...
Wood
$4,000
H 55.5 in W 32 in D 1 in
Hand Formed Ceramic, Fiber, & Wood Wall Sculpture #860 - Blue, Green, Tan Beads
By Karen Gayle Tinney
Located in Proctorsville, VT
Wall Sculpture #860 White cotton braids with hand formed ceramic beads in green, blue, and natural. Woven through solid oak bars. 55.5”H x 32”W 2026 Karen Gayle Tinney is an artis...
Ceramic, Cotton, Oak
Stunning Blue Glazed Seahorse Wall sculpture, 1970s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Blue seahorse ceramic wall sculpture was made in a workshop of Belgium, 1970s. Nice seahorse glazed in cobalt blue with green accents. This unique pie...
Ceramic
$850Sale Price|32% Off
H 16.5 in W 36.25 in D 4 in
Heavily Textured Framed Brutalist Metal Wall Sculpture by Henrik Horst, 1970's
By Hendrik Horst
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Brutalist mixed metal wall sculpture by Henrik Horst, 1970's. In original condition with a great patina. There is some wear to the corners of the frame, consistent with its age and u...
Metal
$1,729 / item
H 48.82 in W 31.11 in D 2.37 in
Contemporary Blue Wall Sculpture 'Tafla O3', Cotton Candy Collection by Zieta
By Oskar Zieta, Zieta
Located in Paris, IDF
"Tafla O3" Contemporary Wall Sculpture by Zieta Original Zieta piece, delivered with certificate. Collection: Cotton Candy (2022) Material: Carbon steel Finish: Powder coated Blue ...
Steel
Mantis, Aged Steel LED Light Plant Grower, Luvere Studio
By Luvere Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
The Mantis - brass LED light plant grower - Luvere Studio Materials: Brass, LED Lighting. Interchangeable backplate and base plate Dimensions: 29” ? ?x ? ?16” ? ?x ? ?16” The Ma...
Steel
$285Sale Price|36% Off
H 12.25 in W 12.38 in D 3 in
Hungarian Full Moon Village Scene Modern Wall Sculpture Signed Cseko 1970s
Located in Miami, FL
More known as Cseko, Csekovszky Arpad 1931-1997, the noted Hungarian artist was famous for these ceramic or pottery wall hangings in relief of village scenes. Their three dimensional...
Ceramic, Pottery
$2,144 / item
H 2.37 in Dm 47.25 in
Contemporary Blue Wall Sculpture 'Rondo 120', Cotton Candy Collection by Zieta
By Oskar Zieta, Zieta
Located in Paris, IDF
"Rondo 120" Contemporary wall sculpture by Zieta Original Zieta piece, delivered with certificate. Collection: Cotton Candy (2022) Material: Carbon steel Finish: Powder coated Blue...
Steel
$744
H 14.77 in W 7.49 in D 1.19 in
Ceramic Wall Plaque by Ester Wallin for Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1960s
By Upsala Ekeby
Located in Barcelona, ES
Glazed ceramic wall plaque, made by Ester Wallin for Upsala Ekeby in the end of 1960s. Depicting a middle eastern male character in sharply defined face p...
Ceramic
Sold
H 826.78 in W 43.31 in D 0.04 in
Rideau d'Espace Chrome-Plated Plastic Wall Sculpture, Circa 1970
By Paco Rabanne
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
The Rideau d'Espace model was designed by Paco Rabanne circa 1970. Made of round chrome-plated plastic discs linked by small metal rings, it reflects the couturier's experiments w...
Plastic
Sold
H 78.75 in W 35.44 in D 0.2 in
Two Paco Rabanne Disco-Ready Silver Space Sequin-Disc Curtain for the Party Girl
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Stockholm, SE
Paco Rabanne Disco-ready silver space sequin-Disc curtain for the well-dressed party girl. Created by Julien Dossena, Creative Director of Paco Raba...
Metal
Sold
H 78.75 in W 35.44 in D 0.2 in
Paco Rabanne Disco-Ready Silver Space Sequin-Disc Curtain for the Party Girl
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Stockholm, SE
Paco Rabanne Disco-ready silver space sequin-Disc curtain for the well-dressed party girl. Created by Julien Dossena, Creative Director of Paco Raba...
Metal
Drawing signed by Paco Rabanne, 2005
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Nice, FR
Mixed media on paper (felt pen and graphite). Signed, dated 2005. Less known for his talents as a draftsman than as a fashion designer or furniture designer, Rabanne reveals remarkab...
Crayon
Sold
H 105 in W 36 in D 0.25 in
Paco Rabanne Space Curtain Wall Sculpture Screen Room Divider 106" x 36"
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Atlanta, GA
Sculptural "Space Curtain", designed by Paco Rabanne for Baumann AG, Switzerland, circa 1970s. It is a versatile size and can be used as a curtain or curtains, room divider, or wall ...
Metal
Paco Rabanne Space Curtain
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Atlanta, GA
Sculptural "Space Curtain", designed by Paco Rabanne for Baumann AG, Switzerland, circa 1970s. It is a versatile size and can be used as a curtain or curtains, room divider, or wall ...
Metal
Paco Rabanne Space Curtain
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Atlanta, GA
Sculptural "Space Curtain", designed by Paco Rabanne for Baumann AG, Switzerland, circa 1970s. It is a versatile size and can be used as a curtain or curtains, room divider, or wall ...
Metal
Paco Rabanne Space Curtain or Room Divider
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Atlanta, GA
Paco Rabanne Space curtain or room divider, French, circa 1970s. It has a wonderful patinated aluminum color that looks more platinum or cha...
Plastic
Paco Rabanne Space Curtain or Room Divider
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Atlanta, GA
Paco Rabanne space curtain or room divider, French, circa 1970s. It has a wonderful patinated chrome color that looks more platinum in certa...
Plastic
Paco Rabanne Silver Disk Space Curtain
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Hanover, MA
Paco Rabanne Space Curtain for Softwear (Italy) and Baumann AG, Switzerland, circa 1970. Comprised of 1 inch silver metallic Rhodoid discs with plasticized connectors which can be op...
Rhodoid
Paco Rabanne Space Curtain or Room Divider
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Atlanta, GA
Paco Rabanne space curtain or room divider, French, circa 1970s.
Plastic
Original Silver Paco Rabanne Space Curtain
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Miami, FL
Silver square Paco Rabanne space curtain, 1970s.
Metal