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 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...
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 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
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
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
Deco Pear shaped emeralds and mixed shape diamond earrings in white gold
By Ri Noor
Located in Houston, TX
Clean lines and modern elegance with heirloom quality! True to Rinoor's promise of sourcing the finest gemstones and blending them with exceptional craftsmanship, these earrings are ...
Diamond, Emerald, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
$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
Wave ear climbers with pear shaped emeralds and brilliant cut diamonds
By Ri Noor
Located in Houston, TX
Clean lines and modern elegance with heirloom quality! True to Rinoor's promise of sourcing the finest gemstones and blending them with exceptional craftsmanship, these earrings are ...
Diamond, Emerald, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Ammanii Vermeil Gold Drop Earrings with Freshwater Pearls and Tassels
By Ammanii
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Part of our new collection Malikat = Queens. Inspired by the ruling females of ancient Egypt. Queen Nefertari means "Beautiful Companion"- These stunning statement earrings are an ode to her reign and the legacy to dare to set out of the box. Hand crafted vermeil gold with hand set clear zircon...
Zircon, Freshwater Pearl, Vermeil
Tiffany & Co Paloma Picasso Venezia Luce Diamond Swirl Drop Earrings 18k WG
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in San Diego, CA
Tiffany & Co Paloma Picasso Venezia Luce Collection Earrings Style: Prong Set Metal: White Gold Au750 - 5.0 grams TCW: ~ 0.97 tcw Hallmark: ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Marco Bicego Paradise Multi-Gemstone Single Strand Earrings 18k Yellow Gold
By MARCO BIEGO
Located in San Diego, CA
Marco Bicego Paradise Multi-Gemstone Drop Earrings Style: Paradise Gemstone Drop Earrings Metal: 18K Yellow Gold Measurements: Approximately 1.50" Drop Length Hallmark: MARCO BIC...
Multi-gemstone, 18k Gold, Yellow 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
Lapis Lazuli Azurite Malachite Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Drop Earrings
By Valentin Magro
Located in New York, NY
Rich landscape tones combine with sparkle. The design begins with a round lapis lazuli, secured by 18k yellow gold prongs and lifting deep violet hues. Next a triangular-shaped arran...
Diamond, White Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow ...
Ammanii Star Jacket Earrings with Pearls and Zircon in Vermeil Gold
By Ammanii
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Our newest addition to our Sa'mma = sky collection is the star studded jacket earrings with freshwater pearls. Inspired by the sky; the universal blanket that covers mankind and pro...
Pearl, Zircon, Vermeil
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