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 Paris Chrome and Enamel Modernist Space Age Fox Brooch
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Atlanta, GA
Paco Rabanne Paris designed this rare fox brooch in the 1970s. The design features a stylized, leaping fox in a modernist aesthetic that reflects the brand's space-age, futuristic in...
Enamel
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...
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...
Mings Bluish Purple Pearl Branch Brooch in Sterling Silver
Located in Honolulu, HI
Brooch Specifications: Designer: Ming's Metal: Sterling Silver Brooch Measurements: 2" x 1.75" Total Weight: 8.3 Grams Pearls: Akoya Pearls Condition: Preowned, good
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Art Nouveau Enamel Diamond Sapphire 14 Karat Gold Empress Stickpin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a concave disk depicting a high relief profile of a woman with curling tendrils of long hair that drapes beyond the confines of the circular surround Her face incredibly...
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow ...
Tiffany & Co Retro Iconic Gold Brooch Set
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Iconic Retro 14k gold brooches , crafted by Tiffany & Co. Each brooch measures 1.25" x 1". Hallmarked 14k, Tiffany & Co. Weight of the set - 26 grams. Beautiful addition to ...
Gold
Exquisite David Webb Gold Diamond Flower Brooch
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful 18k gold flower brooch by David Webb, set with approx. 9 carat H/VS-Si diamonds. Brooch measures 2 3/8" x 1 7/8". Marked Webb and 18k. Weight - 24.1 grams.
Diamond, Gold
Tiffany & Co. 14 Karat Antique Yellow Gold Sapphire and Diamond Pin
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
The pin is made of 14K yellow gold and weighs 5.10 DWT (approx. 7.93 grams). It also has six round sapphires weighing 1.30 CTTW, and one european G/H-color, SI-clarity diamond weighi...
Ruby Diamond and Emerald Cockatiel Brooch in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautiful Bird Motif pin in 18k yellow gold. Pin weighs 16.00 dwt and contains 38 round rubies weighing approx 6.00ct, 39 round diamonds weighing 1.50ct with G/H Color VS/SI clarity,...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold
Victorian Diamond 18 Karat Gold Yorkshire Terrier Dog Stickpin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Depicted as a bust of a Yorkshire Terrier dog with very texturous fur Eyes are two old European cut diamonds weighing in total approximately 0.03 carat Tested as 18 karat gold Cir...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Victorian Diamond 14 Karat Gold Scrolling Stickpin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering an old European cut diamond weighing approximately 0.10 carat total, eye-clean and white Flush set in lightly polished gold with scrolling motif Stamped 14K Top Measure...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mings Pearl Brooch in Sterling Silver
Located in Honolulu, HI
Brooch Specifications: Designer: Ming's Metal: Sterling Silver Brooch Measurements: 2" x 1.25" Total Weight: 12.6 Grams Pearls: Akoya Pearls Condition: Preowned, good
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Art Nouveau Diamond 10 Karat Gold Stylized Owl Stickpin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Hollow form depicting the face of an owl, with an old European cut diamond in its mouth and single cut diamond eyes Total diamond weight approximately 0.08 carat, eye-clean and whit...
White Diamond, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian 14 Karat Gold Native American Shaman Stickpin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as the stylized face of a Native American woman With neatly tucked hair and tattooed forehead Tested as 14 karat gold Circa: 1890 Head measures: 10.7 x 8.7 mm Total len...
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Adorable Oscar Heyman Carved Ruby Diamond Platinum Bird Brooch
By Oscar Heyman
Located in New York, NY
Adorable platinum bird brooch by Oscar Heyman, set with carved ruby, enamel accents and approx.0.85ctw FG/VS diamonds. Brooch measures 1 3/16" x 7/8". Hallmarked 980 91 serial number...
Diamond, Onyx, Ruby, Platinum
Art Nouveau Ruby 14 Karat Two-Tone Gold Crescent Moon Night Sky Stickpin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a highly rendered polished white gold crescent moon with stylized textured yellow gold "night sky" background Sweetly accented by a flush set round cut ruby Tested as 1...
Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Painted Reverse Carved Crystal 18 Karat Gold French Bulldog Stickpin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering a round rock crystal cabochon measuring approximately 16.8 mm, bezel set, in a millegrain and beaded gold surround With a reverse carved intaglio...
Crystal, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Edwardian Diamond 14 Karat Gold Ford Model T Classic Car Stickpin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a matte gold early 20th century Ford Model T classic car With gypsy set old European cut diamond weighing approximately 0.22 carat total, H color and SI clarity Tested ...
White Diamond, 14k 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...