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.
Vintage PACO RABANNE Multi Circle Silver Brooch
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage PACO RABANNE Multi Circle Silver Brooch Measurements: Height: 2.28 inches (5.8 cm) Width: 2.28 inches (5.8 cm) Features: - 100% Authenti...
Vintage PACO RABANNE Logo Pearl Stick Pin Brooch
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage PACO RABANNE Logo Pearl Stick Pin Brooch Measurements: Height: 2.36 inches (6 cm) Width: 0.94 inch (2.4 cm) Features: - 100% Authentic PACO RABBANE...
Antique Diamond and Turquoise Brooch
Located in Poitiers, FR
Brooch in 18 carat yellow gold, eagle head hallmark. In the form of a crossed ribbon with 4 openwork twisted gold strands bordered by tiny beads with 8 claw set diamonds and 3 claw ...
Diamond, Turquoise, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
French Retro Diamond Gold Floral Brooch
Located in Poitiers, FR
Brooch in 18 carat yellow gold, eagle head hallmark. This antique gold brooch features a delicate gold leafy design decorated with 10 claw set bri...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s French Ruby Emerald Chrysoprase Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Bird Brooch
Located in Poitiers, FR
Brooch in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle's head hallmark. Lovely retro brooch, it represents a bird of paradise, the feathers being set with alternating rubies and emeralds, the belly a...
Chrysophrase, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yel...
Edwardian Natural Pearl and Diamond-Set Bee Stick Pin
Located in London, GB
An Edwardian natural pearl and diamond-set bee stick pin, the thorax set with a cream pearl and the abdomen with a gold pearl, both accompanied by GCS Re...
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Silver
1950s Diamond Ruby 18 Karat Yellow Gold Leaf Brooch
Located in Poitiers, FR
Brooch in 18 karat yellow and white gold. Retro brooch, it forms a large amati gold leaf set on one side with two rubies and a diamond. The hanging system is a pin with a safety pump. Diamond weight : about 0.07 carat, total weight of the rubies: about 0.15 carat. Height : 6 cm, width : about 4 cm. Total weight of the jewel : 22.8 g approximately. Authentic retro jewelry...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco Bakelite and Brass Carved Oval Pin Brooch
Located in North Miami, FL
This fabulous carved vintage art deco bakelite and brass trimmed oval pin brooch will make any outfit sing. The brass is overlapping loops as the exterior. This is not a common bakelite pin...
Brass
French 1900s Rose Gold Bar Brooch
Located in Poitiers, FR
Brooch in 18 carat rose gold, eagle head hallmark. This elegant marquise shaped brooch in rose gold features a delicate engraved design. It has a pin clasp with a safety hook. Leng...
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
David Webb White Enamel Frog Brooch Set with Diamond Eyes in 18K Yellow Gold
By David Webb
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This iconic whimsical David Webb brooch set features two vintage white enamel frogs with diamond eyes set in 18k yellow gold, each accompanied by a David Webb certificate of authenticity. The larger...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Napoleon III Turquoise Natural Pearl 18 Karat Yellow Gold Horseshoe Brooch
Located in Poitiers, FR
Brooch in 18 karats yellow gold and silver. Lovely antique brooch in the shape of a horseshoe, it is set with an alternation of natural semi-pearls and cabochons of turquoises, space...
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Turquoise, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold,...
19th Century Napoleon 3 Porcelain Miniature Natural Pearl Diamond Brooch
Located in Poitiers, FR
Brooch in silver and rose gold, 18 karats. Delicate antique jewel, this antique brooch is made of a porcelain miniature representing the portrait of a...
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold,...
Round Essex Crystal Stick Pin
Located in London, GB
A round Essex crystal stick pin, the cabochon-cut crystal depicting a bird, set on an 18ct gold rub-over mount, to gold pin fitting, circa 1900, the jewe...
Crystal, Gold
French Art Nouveau Natural Pearls Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Brooch
Located in Poitiers, FR
Brooch in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle head hallmark. Made of satin-finished gold, this lovely antique brooch is set with a brilliant-cut diamond in the center, with 4x3 natural pearls at the four cardinal points, in a decoration made of the winding of a gold wire. The clasp is a pin with security. Weight of the diamond : 0,17 carat approximately. Diameter of the pearls : 2,5/3 mm approximately. Height : 2,6 cm, width : 2,7 cm, thickness : 6,1 mm approximately. Total weight of the jewel : 4,9 g approximately. Authentic antique jewelry - French work circa 1890s. Small marks of time on the profiles, very little visible. Our opinion : An Art Nouveau jewel...
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage PACO RABANNE Abstract Silver Brooch
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage PACO RABANNE Abstract Silver Brooch Measurements: Height: 1.97 inches (5 cm) Width: 3.54 inches (9 cm) Features: - 100% Authentic PACO RABBANE. - Abstract form brooch. - Silver tone hardware...