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 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...
$1,480Sale Price|20% Off
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 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 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...
Roman Malakov GIA 5.43 Carat Total Pear and Round Diamond Dangle Drop Earrings
By Roman Malakov
Located in New York, NY
A classy pair of drop earrings featuring pear-shaped diamonds suspended on GIA Certified round brilliant diamonds. The pear-shaped diamonds weigh 4.02 carats total, G-H Color, and SI...
Diamond, Platinum
Galliano for Dior 2003 Fall/Winter Star Anise Earrings
By John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Show off some eye candy with these works of art by John Galliano for Dior! Circa 2003/2004 from their Fall/Winter collection, these earrings highlight influences from the Chinese and Japanese culture. Crafted from Silver and adorned with a gorgeous star anise...
Silver
Hand Engraved Florentine Coral Diamond Drop Earrings 18K Yellow White Gold
By Tamir
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Finely crafted and richly detailed, these hand engraved coral and diamond earrings showcase traditional Florentine style engraving in a sophisticated two tone design. Made in 18K yel...
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, Multi-gemstone, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yel...
Gianni Versace Medusa Rhinestone Earrings
By Gianni Versace
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Snag yourself these hoops! Circa late 1980s/early 1990s, these gold plated Versace dangle earrings are embossed with the signature Medusa head and are embellished with rhinestones and fringe. Clip on closures. Pair with your favorite Versace silk shirt and black leather leggings...
Rock Crystal and Twisted Gold Drop Earrings
By Christina Addison
Located in New York, NY
18kt Twisted Yellow Gold and Rock Crystal Drop Earring This elegant earring measures and inch and a half long. The top cushion is shaped Rock Crystal that measures half an inch w...
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Chalcedony, Citrine, Rock Crystal, Topaz, Crystal,...
1960s William De Lillo Shell Earrings
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
A beautiful pair of William de Lillo chandelier earrings with large white coral cabochons and 4 pieces of mother of pearl shell dandling from the bottom. Both pieces signed Dellio, d...
Coral
Stunning 12ct Round Briolette Cut Blue Topaz Drop Earrings
By Bijoux Num
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bijoux Num 12ct Round Briolette Cut Blue Topaz Drop Vermeil Earrings These stunning pair of earrings features top quality round briolette-cut genuine sky blue topaz (6ct each, 12ct ...
Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
Syna Amethyst Yellow Gold Earrings with Diamonds
By Syna Jewels
Located in Fort Lee, NJ
Created in 18kyg Amethyst 11 carats approx. Diamonds 0.05 carat approx. Limited edition A stunning masterpiece of fine jewelry, these limited edition earrings are crafted in 18kyg, ...
Diamond, Amethyst, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Polki Mirror Resin Drop Earrings
By Meghna Jewels
Located in Hoffman Estates, IL
Light reflecting polki mirror stones & resin earrings is framed with sparkling cubic zircon. Earrings have a fish hook closure for pierced ears. FOLLOW MEGHNA JEWELS storefront to ...
Zircon, Brass
14 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond and Brown Topaz Earrings
By Gregory Mikaelian & Sons, Inc.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
14k yellow gold "Gresha" signature bark design earrings with pave diamonds weighing .15pts. and 2 briollette cut brown topaz earrings. Topaz insert removes to have a tear drop diamo...
Diamond, Topaz, 14k Gold
Faye Kim 18 Karat Gold Crystal Quartz and Diamond Leaf Earrings
By Faye Kim
Located in Darien, CT
Faye Kim's handmade 18 Karat Gold Crystal Quartz and Diamond Leaf Earrings feature a faceted leaf-shaped crystal quartz suspended by a gold hinge beneath a bezel-set round diamond. M...
Crystal, Diamond, Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold
$395
H 3 in W 1 in D 0.05 in L 3 in
Vintage Sculptural Cage and Square Dangle Clip On Earrings By Varga 1980's
Located in North Miami, FL
These unusual vintage pair of clip on earrings have a number of great components going on. They are signed Varga. Gilt toned metal meets turquoise colored glass in the cage like form...
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...