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 Signed Geometric Gold Plated Modernist Brass 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
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...
$160Sale Price|20% Off
W 0.75 in L 3.3 in
Kenneth Jay Lane Black Plated Flower Crystal Dangle Clip On Earrings, KJL
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Milford, DE
Black plated flower crystal clip on dangle earrings by Kenneth Jay Lane. Accessorize with some striking black and white contrast! Hallmarks: KJL
Crystal
$2,074Sale Price|20% Off
W 0.63 in L 0.63 in
Art Deco Style White Diamond Turquoise Onyx Yellow Gold Dangle Clip-On Earrings
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
For any problems related to some materials contained in the items that do not allow shipping, please contact the seller with a private message to solve the problem. We can ship every...
Diamond, White Diamond, Onyx, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Kenneth Jay Lane KJL Lapis Lazuli and Coral Art Deco Dangling Clip On Earrings
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Milford, DE
Stylish art deco-style earrings by Kenneth Jay Lane. Each earring features a faux lapis lazuli and coral cabochon, accented with crystals. All set in gold-plated metal. Hallmarks: K...
Gold Plate
$452Sale Price|20% Off
W 1.19 in D 0.4 in L 3.15 in
Clip-on earring by Eduard Rambaud Paris, 2 parts with wood filling, gilded
Located in Stuttgart, DE
Long decorative ear clips signed Eduard Rambaud Paris consisting of a square gold-plated part with a drop hanging from it. Filled in with brown wood. Measurement: Full length 8 cm,...
Robert Wander 18K Semi Baroque South Sea Pearl and Diamond Earrings
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This very versatile pair of late-20th century 18K yellow gold designer fashion earrings is set with two 13.5mm semi-baroque South Sea pearls surrounded by a line of brilliant cut dia...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
$1,131Sale Price|20% Off
W 0.6 in D 0.52 in L 0.71 in
Art Nouveau 0.12 Carat Ruby Mabe Pearl Yellow Gold Clip-On Dangle Snake Earrings
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
For any problems related to some materials contained in the items that do not allow shipping, please contact the seller with a private message to solve the problem. We can ship every...
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
$196Sale Price|20% Off
W 0.79 in L 2.17 in
Art Deco Dangling Clip On Earrings in Silver, Red and Clear Crystal
Located in Milford, DE
Stylish, glittering art-deco clip on earrings. Round and baguette-cut crystals, prong-set in a dangling deco setting. Silver-tone.
Crystal
Philippe Ferrandis Flower and Stem Clip Earrings
By Philippe Ferrandis
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
From Philippe Ferrandis collection, these clip earrings are made with Swarovski crystals on gilded brass Philippe Ferrandis has been a parurier in Paris since 1986. He creates two collections a year, always different and spectacular inspirations. The elegance, glamour and quality of her creations seduce bold women. Philippe Ferrandis attaches great importance to the choice of materials he uses...
Maison Denez for Yves Saint Laurent African Collection Long Earclips
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Important Maison Denez for Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture African Collection Long Ear clips circa 1967. Of antique gilt bronze with jute tassel accents ...
Gold Plate, Bronze, Gilt Metal
$102Sale Price|20% Off
W 0.75 in L 0.87 in
Green Dangling Cluster Crystal Clip on Earrings in Gold, 1900s
Located in Milford, DE
A pair of extravagant crystal cluster clip-on earrings by an unknown mid-1900s designer. Each earring features a triangular gold-tone metal setting, accented with prong-set crystals ...
Crystal
$786Sale Price / set|20% Off
Dm 0.47 in L 1.38 in
Vintage YVES ST. LAURENT Paris, dangling clip-on earring, Rive Gauch, 1980
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Stuttgart, DE
About Vintage dangling YSL Paris, Rive Gauche ear clip, in blue, brown and orange Acrylic. Measurement: Height: 3,5 inches/9 cm Wight: 1.18 inches/3 cm, the brown and orange colored sphere in diameter 1,18 inches. Features: -100 % Authentic YVES SANT LAURENT GIVE GAUCH EARRING -blue-white marbled and angular first part, with a brown and orange colored ball...
Other
$3,370Sale Price|20% Off
W 1.19 in D 0.63 in L 1.19 in
Art Nouveau White Diamond Turquoise Yellow Gold Dangle Clip-On Flowers Earrings
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
For any problems related to some materials contained in the items that do not allow shipping, please contact the seller with a private message to solve the problem. We can ship every...
Diamond, White Diamond, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
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
Paco Rabanne Vintage Gold Toned Geometric Dangling Earrings
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Nice, FR
PACO RABANNE vintage gold toned geometric dangling earrings (clip-on). Marked PACO RABANNE Paris. Indicative measurements : max. height approx. 8.5 cm (3.35 inches) / max. width ap...
Paco Rabanne Vintage Rock Crystal Dangling Earrings
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Nice, FR
PACO RABANNE vintage silver toned dangling earrings (clip-on) with rock crystal embellishement. Marked PACO RABANNE Paris. Indicative measurements : length approx. 6.5 cm (2.56 inc...
Paco Rabanne Vintage Metal and Glass Cabochon Dangling Earrings
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Nice, FR
PACO RABANNE vintage dangling earrings (clip-on) featuring metal circles embellished with white glass beads and cabochons. Marked PACO RABANNE Paris. Indicative measurements : leng...
Paco Rabanne Vintage Red Glass and Metal Dangling Earrings
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Nice, FR
PACO RABANNE vintage dangling earrings (clip-on) featuring black enamel metal rings and red glass. Marked PACO RABANNE Paris. Indicative measurements : length approx. 6.5 cm (2.56 ...
Iconic Paco Rabanne Rock Crystal Paillette Earclips
By Paco Rabanne
Located in New York, NY
Rare,oversized Paco Rabanne long earclips of silvered metal rings studded with natural tumbled rock crystals, and terminating in three signature silver plastic paillettes. France 1...