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 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...
$65,000
W 1.2 in D 0.5 in L 1.5 in
20.91 Carat Burma No Heat Drop Shape Ruby and Diamond Brooch and Pendant
Located in New York, NY
A stunning 20.91 carat drop shape Ruby measuring 22.56 x 14.26 x 7.13 mm sprayed with mixed cut diamonds. The assortment of diamonds are aesthetically placed with alternating elevati...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
James Barker Mabe Pearl Peridot Diamond Gold Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Stunningly Beautiful & Very Rare The Brooch is by James Barker. The brooch is 18K 22K Yellow Gold There are 0.20 Carats in Diamonds F VS There is 1.00...
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Peridot, 18k Gold, 22k ...
Vintage Cabochon Turquoise and Diamond 18 Carat Yellow Gold Flower Brooch
Located in London, GB
This wonderful floral brooch is beautifully set with 45 round brilliant and swiss cut diamonds of different sizes, all mounted in 18 carat yellow gold, totalling to an approximate we...
Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco Certified Jade & Diamond Daruan Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco Certified Jade & Diamond Daruan Brooch Set in Platinum and a beautiful array of diamonds. Dimensions: approximately 3.60 x 1 inch 1920's
Diamond, Jade, Platinum
Antique Black Opal and Old Mine Cut Diamond Silver on Gold Brooch, circa 1880
Located in London, GB
This fabulous antique brooch, masterfully designed with elegant Art Nouveau accents, features a wonderful black opal cabouchon measuring 20 x 17mm, rub-over set in the centre in an 1...
Opal, Black Opal, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, S...
Antique Art Nouveau Enamel Flower Gold Stick Pin
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Art Nouveau floral 14K yellow gold stick pin featuring a natural pearl popping out of an enamel flower. Four tiny pearls are set in the two leaves. No make...
Natural Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
$795
W 0.95 in L 1.42 in
Antique 14 Karat French Painted Enamel Diamond Portrait Brooch Pin or Pendant
Located in Baltimore, MD
Antique 14 Karat French Painted Enamel Natural Diamond Portrait Brooch/ Pendant Metal: 14k yellow gold Weight: 7.36 grams Diamonds: 4 single cut natural diamonds, approx. .12 CTW G...
Diamond, Enamel
$8,475
W 1.25 in D 0.3 in L 2.75 in
Antique Guilloche Ruby Enamel, Diamond and 18 Karat Yellow Gold Lapel Watch
Located in New York, NY
This elegant antique lapel was realized in France, circa 1860. It features a circular pendant composed of 18kt yellow gold with crescent moon and star inlaid in starburst guilloche r...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Floral Diamond Lady's Brooch
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful floral design brooch set with round black diamonds surrounded by round, brilliant-cut white diamonds. A double clip pin back. Stamped 750
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Burmese No Heat Star Ruby and Diamond Brooch
Located in New York, NY
An impressive brooch, set with with five burmese, no heat, star ruby cabochons and seventy round brilliant-cut diamonds, thirteen princess-cut diamonds, and thirteen baguettes, set i...
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
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...
$3,860
H 0.5 in W 1 in L 1.25 in
Antique Essex Crystal English Sheepdog/Bearded Collie Stickpin in 18K
Located in Baltimore, MD
Victorian stickpin of a bearded collie or English sheepdog in Essex crystal and set in an 18K twisted rope border around its frame and a large 9K gold pin that measures 4.25 inches long including the pin. Keep your lovely furry companion with you all day. The crystals are carved in reverse or intaglio into the flat back to create a three-dimension trompe l'oeil effect. The image is then painted in realistic detail. The scale of this Essex crystal dog pin is quite unusual and especially wonderful. We rarely seem find such spectacular Essex crystal representations of dogs. Note that one of the photos shows the model with 2 Essex crystal stickpins...
Crystal, 18k 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...