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 Silvered Metal Link Bracelet with Quartz Stones
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Atlanta, GA
This gorgeous Paco Rabanne Paris futuristic link bracelet features a massive silver-tone chainmail grid ornate with dangle transparent quartz chips. The rare bracelet closes with a l...
Quartz
PACO RABANNE Vintage Gold Tone Ball Charm Bracelet
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Nice, FR
PACO RABANNE vintage gold tone link bracelet featuring ball charms. Embossed PACO RABANNE. Indicative measurements : length approx. 18.5 cm (7.28 inches) / max. width approx. 2 cm ...
14k Yellow Gold Unisex Link Bracelet
Located in Bradenton, FL
14k yellow gold link bracelet. Open box secure clasp with double safety latch. 23.92gms TW.
Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Yellow Gold and Onyx Bracelet
Located in Monaco, MC
Bracelet made with large rectangular rounded links in onyx and yellow gold alternating with circular gold links. Bears the mark 925 and 750. Length when opened: 19cm (7.5 inches) W...
Onyx, Yellow Gold
Circa 1970 14 Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond Spray Wide Flexible Bracelet
Located in Wheaton, IL
Beautiful Circa 1970 14k yellow gold and diamond spray wide flexible bracelet - sculpted floral leaf yellow gold diamond clasp set with three small round diamonds - wide heavy 14k yellow gold braided...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Georges Lenfant for Tiffany France Mid-Century Gold Curb Link Bracelet
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
The attractive bracelet designed as a straight row of textured 18kt yellow gold double curb links, signed TIFFANY & CO. FRANCE, with maker's mark (export) for Georges Lenfant, French...
Gold, 18k Gold
$43,640 / item
W 0.24 in L 6.89 in
Alex Sepkus "Tiny" Link Bracelet with Brilliant White Diamonds in Gold
By Alex Sepkus
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From the studio of Alex Sepkus in New York - 18 karat yellow gold "Tiny" link bracelet. Specializing in microscopic sculpting and carving, Alex Šepkus has the ability to press perfec...
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Art Deco Diamond and Platinum Link Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
This exceptional Art Deco period bracelet consists of approximately 16.25 carats of round brilliant, single-cut, and baguette diamonds mounted in platinum. The bracelet features five...
Diamond, Platinum
David Webb Sugarloaf Rock Crystal and 18k Gold Bracelet
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
5 tremendous sugarloaf rock crystals weighing approximately 225.83 carats set in a vintage 18K gold rococo link bracelet. This daring design is an exceptional exemplar of DAVID WEBB ...
Rock Crystal, 18k Gold
Micromosaic Bracelet, First Half of the 19th Century Work
Located in Paris, FR
Gold bracelet with six oval, micromosaic medallions set in black glass. Each micromosaic represents a different Roman edifice: Saint Peter’s Basilica, the Coliseum, the Pantheon, the...
Gold
Gold and Enamel Bracelet, 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Gold and enamel bracelet. The bracelet is composed of nine symmetrical medallions decorated with foliage and stylized flowers and accented with black and white enamel. The clasp is hidden by a rectangular medallion in enameled gold that features a landscape scene of a lakeside chateau with mountains in the background. The medallion is framed with stylized leaves in black, white, and green enamel. The landscape of the bracelet portrays the Chillon chateau in Switzerland, made famous during the Romantic period with Lord Byron’s poem written in 1816, The Prisoner of Chillon. Byron, during a voyage through Switzerland, was inspired by Jean Jacques Rousseau...
Gold, Enamel
Hermes Kelly Diamond Bracelet Small Model 18k White Gold SH
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers a chic and instantly recognizable Hermes Kelly Bracelet Small Model. 18k White Gold bracelet set with 61 diamonds. Total carat ...
Diamond, White Gold
18 Karat Gold Two-Tone Retro Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
This highly polished retro 18K gold bracelet features yellow and rose gold links in a weave pattern. The substantial bracelet makes a striking statement in gold.
18k Gold
Antique Carré-Cut Amethyst and Silver and Diamond Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
5 passionate carré-cut amethysts of intense color and brilliance weighing approximately 14 carats mounted in an antique "Belle Époch" silver link bracelet with 80 single-cut diamonds...
Amethyst, Diamond, Silver
PACO RABANNE Vintage Silver Tone Diabolo Link Bracelet
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Nice, FR
PACO RABANNE vintage silver tone diabolo link bracelet. Embossed PACO RABANNE. Indicative measurements : length approx. 20 cm (7.87 inches) / width approx. 4.1 cm (1.61 inches). M...