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...
Victorian Topaz Pendant Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Topaz Pendant Brooch set in 10k gold. Simple, elegant design of oval and round sherry colored topazes set into almost invisible crow...
Topaz, 10k Gold
French Art Nouveau 18 Karat Yellow Gold Child's Portrait Brooch
Located in Poitiers, FR
Brooch in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle head hallmark. Original and mischievous antique gold brooch, it represents a smiling child's face whose head is draped with a scarf tied under the face. The clasp is a pin with safety. Signed on the front. Height : 3 cm, width : 2,6 cm, thickness : 5 mm approximately. Total weight of the jewel : 6,9 g approximately. Authentic antique jewel - French work from the beginning of the XXth century, Art nouveau jewel...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Oscar Heyman Platinum Sapphire and Diamond Brooch Pin
By Oscar Heyman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This stunning Oscar Heyman sapphire and diamond pin features a snowflake-like design, with radiating trapezoid and marquise-cut blue sapphires encircled by brilliant-cut diamonds, centered around a large round diamond. 16 Kite Sapphires...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Chanel Cruciform Byantine Brooch, Property of Coco Chanel
By Coco Chanel /Maison Goossens
Located in Riverdale, NY
Chanel's appropriation of Byzantine and Renaissance forms continued throughout her career, often in the form of oversized cruciform brooches and pendants. This one is set in bronz...
Gold Plate, Bronze, Gilt Metal
$24,000
H 1.75 in W 2 in D 0.13 in L 16 in
Van Cleef & Arpels 18 Karat Gold 0.82 Carat Diamond Lapis, Coral & MOP Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This rare vintage Van Cleef & Arpels 18kt yellow gold pendant/brooch is set with 0.82 carat of round diamonds, as well as coral, mother of pearl and lapis lazuli. It can be worn...
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Multi-gemstone, Pearl, 18k ...
Victorian Horse Head Stickpin
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Horse Head Stickpin designed as a miniature staff. The finely detailed horse's head is sterling with a rose cut diamond eye. The hilt below h...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver
Antique 14K Gold Seed Pearl Cannetille Brooch, Circa 1870
Located in Rotterdam, NL
A delicate antique Dutch brooch crafted in 14 karat gold and set with a cluster of natural seed pearls. This finely detailed jewel dates to the 19th century and reflects the refined ...
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$950
H 0.75 in W 0.87 in D 0.36 in
Antique Georgian Gold, Enamel, and Seed Pearl Braided Hair Mourning Brooch
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Georgian gold, seed pearl, hair, and enamel mourning brooch. With braided or plaited hair behind glass in a worked gold setting set with seed pearls and surrounded by a black enamel band. The reverse bears a pin for attachment and likely had a jump ring removed. In the Georgian and Victorian eras, woven hair art was used to memorialize a departed loved one or given as a keepsake memorial for a loved one in their absence. The gold tests at 10k. Simply a wonderful Georgian mourning brooch...
Pearl, Gold, Enamel
Christian Dior 1980s Vintage Gold White Pearl Crystals Large Magnolia Brooch
By Christian Dior
Located in Wokingham, England
Christian Dior 1980s Vintage Wavy Blossom Flourish Flower Magnolia White Circle Round Pearl Crystals Elegant Brooch, Gold Tone Very excellent condition and very new. 100% Genuine. ...
Gold Plate
$2,100
H 3 in W 5 in D 0.5 in L 5 in
Vintage Thieves of Baghdad Signed Enamel, Glass and Faux Pearl Pin / Brooch
Located in North Miami, FL
This stunning and amazing pin made for the Thieves of Baghad movie is encrusted with vibrant color and ornate details. it is square with colored glass in varying forms, enamel and fa...
Pearl, Enamel
Vintage 14K Gold Shell Cameo Brooch, Early 20th Century
Located in Rotterdam, NL
A finely carved shell cameo brooch set in a decorative 14 karat gold frame, dating to the early 20th century. The cameo depicts the elegant profile of a woman facing right, carved in...
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Retro Gold, Aquamarine, and Ruby Fan-Shaped Clip Brooch
Located in New York, NY
A Retro gold clip brooch of scrolled, fan-shaped design set with a large central aquamarine framed on three sides by calibre cut rubies, accented with inset round cut rubies, in 18k....
Aquamarine, Ruby, 18k Gold, 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...