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 Futuristic Gunmetal and Resin Long Dangle Clip Earrings
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Atlanta, GA
These rare Paco Rabanne Paris futuristic couture clip-on earrings feature an extra-long dangling drop shape with gunmetal framing, a statement design, topped with resin cabochons and...
Vintage Paco Rabanne Geometric Gold Plated Modernist Brass Dangle Earrings 60's
By Paco Rabanne
Located in North Miami, FL
These fabulous and amazing signed vintage French Paco Rabanne modernist dangle sculptural earrings are so au courant now as they were then in the 60's. The geometric cutout forms and...
Gold Plate, Brass
Vintage PACO RABANNE Bamboo Rock Crystal Dangling Earrings
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage PACO RABANNE Bamboo Rock Crystal Dangling Earrings Features: - 100% Authentic PACO RABANNE. - Rock crystal embellished drop earrings with lucite ball charm and silver bamboo...
Paco Rabanne Paris Silvered Modernist Clip Earrings
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Atlanta, GA
Paco Rabanne Paris designed these futuristic metal clip-on earrings in the 1990s. The design features a slightly hammered silver plate in a "comma" shape, with carving and a see-thro...
Silver Plate
1970s Paco Rabanne Frosted Glass Gilt Metal Pendant Earrings
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Rare 1970's Paco Rabanne clip on earrings. Gold tone metal with ribbed frosted glass button at top. The earrings drop down into a mobile-like pendant featuring dropped small chain li...
Gilt Metal
Vintage PACO RABANNE Black Frosted Glass Indian Style Dangling Earrings
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage PACO RABANNE Black Frosted Glass Indian Style Dangling Earrings Features: - 100% Authentic PACO RABANNE. - Indian style dangling earrings. - Carved black frosted glass with ...
Paco Rabanne silvery earrings
By Paco Rabanne
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
PACO RABANNE - (Made in France) Silvery metal clip-on earrings with iridescent cabochons. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Length: 12 cm SKU:BO34
Paco Rabanne earrings
By Paco Rabanne
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
PACO RABANNE - (Made in France) Long silvery metal clip-on earrings with three triangles. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Length: 11 cm SKU:BO23
Paco Rabanne Gilded Metal Clip-on Earrings
By Paco Rabanne
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Paco Rabanne - Clip-on earrings in gilded metal. Additional information: Dimensions: 3.5 L cm (1.37" L) Condition: Very good condition Seller Ref number: BO222
Gilt Metal
Paco Rabanne earrings Haute Couture Winter 1994
By Paco Rabanne
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
PACO RABANNE - Clip-on earrings made of pink, silvery, and purple plastic material assembled with metallic rings. Not signed prototype from fashion show. 1994/1995 Fall-Winter Haute ...
Vintage PACO RABANNE Cutout Flower Mirror Disc Earrings
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage PACO RABANNE Cutout Flower Mirror Disc Earrings Measurements: Height: 1.22 inches (3.1 cm) Width: 1.22 inches (3.1 cm) Weight per Earring: 9 grams Features: - 100% Authenti...
Paco Rabanne Logo Earrings
By Paco Rabanne
Located in New York, NY
Charming Paco Rabanne logo earrings with the designers logo scattered randomly over gilded clip demi hoops. A subtler version of 80's logo jewelry. Exce...
Gilt Metal
Paco Rabanne Quilted Earrings
By Paco Rabanne
Located in New York, NY
Paco Rabanne 2 tone "quilted" effect clip earring. Very attractive and dimensional. Gilt and patinaed silver loafs alternating.
Excellent condition.
Paco Rabanne Black and White Resin and Metal Clip-on Earrings
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Atlanta, GA
Paco Rabanne Paris Futuristic Clip-on Earrings – Rare Avant-Garde Statement Pieces Elevate your private collection with these exceptional clip-on earrings from Paco Rabanne Paris, a ...
Paco Rabanne Vintage Antiqued Silver Toned Tubular Charms Dangling Earrings
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Nice, FR
PACO RABANNE vintage antiqued silver toned dangling earrings (clip-on) featuring tubular charms embellished with white glass beads topped with a la...
Paco Rabanne Vintage Creased Metal and Resin Cabochon Chandelier Earrings
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Nice, FR
PACO RABANNE vintage chandelier earrings (clip-on) featuring creased antiqued diamond shaped metal embellished with iridescent resin caboch...
Paco Rabanne Earrings with Green Resin Pearls
By Paco Rabanne
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Paco Rabanne - Long golden metal earrings with green resin pearls. Additional information: Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Length: 8.5 cm Seller Reference: BO6
Paco Rabanne earrings Haute Couture 1980
By Paco Rabanne
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
PACO RABANNE - Red rhodoid pastille earrings with black pearls and metallic rings. Not signed Haute Couture jewelry, circa 1980 Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Height: 6...
Paco Rabanne earrings Haute Couture circa 1965/67
By Paco Rabanne
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
PACO RABANNE - Plastic clip-on earrings wuth rhodoid, pearls, and silvery metal. A Haute Couture Collection circa 1965/1967. Condition: Good condition Dimensions: Height: 10 cm SK...
Paco Rabanne Clip-on Earrings with Pearls and Transparent Rings
By Paco Rabanne
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Paco Rabanne - Silvery metal clip-on earrings decorated with pearls and transparent rings. Additional information: Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Length: 17.5 cm Seller...
Paco Rabanne earrings Haute Couture Fall-Winter 1994
By Paco Rabanne
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
PACO RABANNE - Golden plastic clip-on earrings with black pearls and assembled with metallic rings. Not signed prototype from a fashion show. 1994-1995 Fall-Winter Haute Couture Coll...
Vintage PACO RABANNE Logo Pearl Earrings
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage PACO RABANNE Logo Pearl Earrings Measurements: Height: 0.94 inch (2.4 cm) Width: 0.94 inch (2.4 cm) Weight per Earring: 8 grams Features: - 100% Authentic PACO RABBANE...
Drop Earrings with Moons and Stars Tassels in Vermeil Gold
By Ammanii
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Part of AMMANII's Sa'mma = Sky Collection. Homage to the sky, the universal blanket that covers mankind and connects us all under its wings. The drop earrings with moon and stars tas...
Zircon, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Silver
18K Yellow Gold Pear Marquise Peridot Cluster Earrings
By Valentin Magro
Located in New York, NY
Olive-green radiance of peridot is presented in these earrings. A single pear cut of the gem is orbited halfway by illuminating two marquise and three pears. Marquise cuts accentuate...
Peridot, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Statement Interlocked Hoop Earrings with Hieroglyphic Amulets Vermeil Gold
By Ammanii
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Newest Addition to Ammanii's Malikat = Queens Collections. Hand crafted, interconnected hoop earrings with amulets inscribed with hieroglyphic signs to give you the power of life, he...
Chrysophrase, Lapis Lazuli, Freshwater Pearl, Zircon, Vermeil
Ruby Heart Diamond Dangling Earrings in 14k White Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Earrings Specifications: Metal: 14k White Gold Earring Length: 0.80" Total Weight: 1.9 Grams Diamonds: 42 Setting: Prong Ruby Carat Weight: 0.50 Diamond Color: G-H Diamond ...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
Emerald Diamond Huggie Earrings in 14k Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Earrings Specifications: Metal: 14k Yellow Gold Earring Diameter: 20.43 mm x 18.55 mm Total Weight: 7.3 Grams Emeralds: 6 Emerald Carat Weight: 0.40 carats Diamonds: 18 Settin...
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Cacholong Lapis Smooth Snail 18K Yellow Gold Earrings
By Valentin Magro
Located in New York, NY
Gemstones illustrate a polished snail shell. Cacholong is carved in an asymmetrical teardrop shape as the base. An 18k yellow gold braid rotates in a coil for definition of the shell...
Lapis Lazuli, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Sam Kramer Copper & Sterling Silver Ear Clips, 1940s, USA, Unisex
By Sam Kramer
Located in New York, NY
A pair of copper and sterling silver ear clips, by Sam Kramer, United States. Stamped with maker's mark, sterling. Numbered *****6. The earrings measure 1.55" x 1.00" x 0.20" Sam...
Sterling Silver, Copper
$7,300 / item
Aquamarine Drop Earrings 18k White Gold
By Karma El Khalil
Located in New York, NY
Aquamarine Drop Earrings in 18K White Gold featuring Custom-Cut Pear Drops of Shimmering Aquamarine Aquamarine: 13.11cts 18k White Gold: 5.78g From Karma El Khalil's Conversations With The Moon Collection...
Aquamarine, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
$7,500 / item
Lavender Quartz Waterfall Earrings in 18k White Gold
By Karma El Khalil
Located in New York, NY
Ethereal Ombre Lavender Waterfall Earrings in 18k white gold, featuring ten graduating custom-cut cabochons of Lavender Quartz. Each earring displays five cabochons of lavender quartz gracefully decending in to a single trillion-cut blue-violet Iolite point. 18k White Gold Lavender Quartz : 36.65cts Iolite : 0.19cts From Karma El Khalil's Conversations With The Moon Collection
Iolite, Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ammanii Key Earrings with Ankh Amulet in Vermeil Gold
By Ammanii
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
These Key earrings are masterfully handcrafted from sterling silver base with 18k yellow gold plating, in a satin finish with high grade hand set Cubic Zi...
Zircon, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
$4,640Sale Price|20% Off
Emerald and Black Opal Drop Earring 18 Karat Gold
By Tinguely Bijoux
Located in Boston, MA
The bright Lightning Ridge crystal black opal has a clear, wide light spectrum that complements the kelly green of the rose-faceted emerald. Set in an 18 karat yellow gold. Model wea...
Emerald, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Gold
Ammanii Mix-and-Match Pavé Snake Drop Earrings in Vermeil Gold
By Ammanii
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The Queen Hatshepsut earrings are a modern take on the power and determination to be who you are and defy the norms. This gorgeous mix-and-match set has a snake carving...
Zircon, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
Paco Rabanne earrings 1990
By Paco Rabanne
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
PACO RABANNE - (Made in France) Golden metal clip-on earrings with black resin. Not signed jewelry - 1990 fall-winter collection. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Length:...
Paco Rabanne earrings Summer 1991
By Paco Rabanne
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
PACO RABANNE - Silvery metal geometrical-shape earrings. Not signed jewelry from a fashion show. 1991 Spring-Summer Collection. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Height: 1...
Paco Rabanne earrings
By Paco Rabanne
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
PACO RABANNE - (Made in France) Silvery metal clip-on earrings made of articulated pastilles. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Length: 13 cm SKU:BO427
Paco Rabanne earrings Haute Couture Winter 1995
By Paco Rabanne
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
PACO RABANNE - Silvery metal clip-on earrings with black rubber and plastic pearls. Not signed prototype from fashion show. 1995-1996 Fall-Winter Haute Couture Collection. Condition...
Paco Rabanne clip-on earrings Haute Couture Summer 1990
By Paco Rabanne
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
PACO RABANNE - Clip-on earrings made of interlaced silvery metal rings. Not signed prototype from a fashion show. 1990 Spring-Summer Haute Couture Collection. Condition: Very good c...
Paco Rabanne Golden Metal Earrings
By Paco Rabanne
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Paco Rabanne - Golden metal earrings. Additional information: Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Length: 6.5 cm Seller Reference: BO7
Paco Rabanne Earrings with Goldedn Celluloid Pastille
By Paco Rabanne
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Paco Rabanne - Silvery metal earrings made of silvery and goldedn celluloid pastilles. Additional information: Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Length: 6 cm Seller Refere...
Paco Rabanne Earrings Made of Coat-of-Mail and Pink Rhinestones
By Paco Rabanne
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Paco Rabanne - Silvery metal earrings made of coat-of-mail and pink rhinestones. Additional information: Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Length: 9 cm Seller Reference: BO29
Paco Rabanne Silvery Metal Clip-on Earrings
By Paco Rabanne
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Paco Rabanne - Silvery metal clip-on earrings with black enamel. Additional information: Condition: Good condition Dimensions: Length: 6.5 cm Seller Reference: BO50
Paco Rabanne Golden Metal Earrings with Pale Pink Stones
By Paco Rabanne
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Paco Rabanne - Golden metal earrings with pale pink stones. Additional information: Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Length: 10.5 cm Seller Reference: BO75
PACO RABANNE Vintage Massive Silver Tone Modernist Clip-On Earrings
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Nice, FR
PACO RABANNE vintage massive 3-dimensional modernist silver tone clip-on earrings. Embossed PACO RABANNE. Indicative measurements : approx. 3.9 cm x 3.9 cm (1.54 inches x 1.54 inch...
Sold
W 1.23 in L 2.68 in
Paco Rabanne Paris Futuristic Metal Chainmail and Quartz Dangle Clip Earrings
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Atlanta, GA
Gorgeous Paco Rabanne Paris futuristic clip-on earrings. Features a silver-tone chainmail grid ornate with dangle transparent quartz chips. The clips are marked underside with the "P...
Quartz