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 Three-Fingers Ring in Silver-Plate Paved with Rhinestones
By Paco Rabanne
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Paco Rabanne - Three-fingers ring in silver-plate paved with rhinestones. Additional information: Dimensions: Ornament: 8 W x 4 H cm (3.15" W x 1.57" H) Ring: 2 cm x 6 cm (0.78" x...
Silver Plate
Jade and Diamond Textured Finish Ring in 14k Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Metal: 14k Yellow Gold Style: Statement Ring Ring Size: 12 (resizing available for a fee) Total Weight: 10 Grams Gemstone Specifications: Center Gemstone:...
Jade, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Oval Cabochon Green Jade Ring in 14k Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Metal: 14k Yellow Gold Style: Statement Ring Ring Size: 9.25 (resizing available for a fee) Total Weight: 6.8 Grams Gemstone Specifications: Center Gemsto...
Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Old European Cut Diamond Art Deco Ring in 18k White Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Metal: 18k White Gold Style: Statement Ring Ring Size: 6.25 (resizing available for a fee) Total Weight: 2.1 Grams Diamond Count: 1 old European cut Diamo...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Pandora Tiara Wishbone Cubic Zirconia White Gold Plated Sterling Silver Ring
By Pandora
Located in Honolulu, HI
Ring Specifications: Brand: PANDORA Metal: 14k White Gold Plated and Sterling Silver Ring Size: 7 (can be resized for a small fee) Ring Weight: 1.3 Grams Stamped: "ALE" "R1" "5...
14k Gold, Gold Plate, White Gold, Sterling Silver
Four Row Diamond Band with Yellow Marquise Diamond Center Ring in 18k White Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Metal: 18k White Gold Style: Statement Ring Ring Size: 6.5 (resizing available for a fee) Total Weight: 9.9 Grams Diamond Count: 43 Diamond Carat Weight: 0...
Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
Jade and Diamond High Polish Finish Ring in 14k White Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Metal: 14k White Gold Style: Statement Ring Ring Size: 10.25 (resizing available for a fee) Total Weight: 15.5 Grams Gemstone Specifications: Center Gemst...
Diamond, Jade, 14k Gold, White Gold
Red Brown Oval Cabochon Jade Ring in 14k Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Ring Specifications: Metal: 14k Yellow Gold Total Weight: 10.7 Grams Jade Carat Weight: ~9 carats Jade Measurements: 16.6 mm x 12.8 mm x 4.8 mm Ring Size: 8.5 (resizable) Stamp...
Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mens Two Toned 5 Round Brilliant Diamond Ring in 14k
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Metal: 14k Yellow and White Gold Style: Statement Ring Ring Size: 9.5 (resizing available for a fee) Total Weight: 8.1 Grams Gemstone Specifications: 5 Diam...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Three Marquis Red Rubies and Diamond Halo Ring in 18k White Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Metal: 18k White Gold Style: Statement Ring Ring Size: 5.5 (resizing available for a fee) Total Weight: 4.4 Grams Gemstone Specifications: Gemstones: 3 mar...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
~1 ct Eternity Channel Set Diamond Ring 14k White Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Metal: 14k White Gold Diamond Cut: 36 Round Diamonds Total Diamond Carat Weight: ~1 carat Diamond Color: G Diamond Clarity: VS Ring Size: 6 Total Weight...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Star Sapphire Ruby Halo Ring in 18k Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Ring Specifications: Metal: 18k Yellow Gold Total Weight: 8.7 Grams Star Sapphire Measurements: 15.3 mm x 11.7 mm x 4.3 mm Star Sapphire Carat Weight: ~8.3 carats Ruby Carat ...
Ruby, Star Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Yellow White and Rose Gold Diamond Signet Ring in 14k
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Metal: 14k Yellow White and Rose Gold Style: Statement Ring Ring Size: 9 (resizing available for a fee) Total Weight: 8.4 Grams Gemstone Specifications: 5 D...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
Tiger's Eye Satin Finish Ring in 18k Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Ring Specifications: Metal: 18k Yellow Gold Total Weight: 11.5 Grams Tiger's Eye Carat Weight: ~5.5 carats Tiger's Eye Measurements: 13.9 mm x 11.8 mm x 4.6 mm Ring Size: 9.5 (r...
Tiger's Eye, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Marquise Ruby and Diamond Border Triple Row Ring in 14k Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Metal: 14K Yellow Gold Style: Statement Ring Ring Size: 5.5 (resizing available for a fee) Total Weight: 4.1 Grams Gemstone Specifications: Gemstones: 9 re...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Oval Ruby and Diamond Halo Ring in 18k Yellow Gold & Platinum
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Metal: 18k Yellow Gold & Platinum Style: Statement Ring Ring Size: 6.25 (resizing available for a fee) Total Weight: 2.0 Grams Gemstone Specifications: Gem...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Paco Rabanne Ring in Gold Metal and Green Resin
By Paco Rabanne
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Paco Rabanne - Ring in gold metal and green resin. Additional information: Dimensions: Size 53 Condition: Good condition Seller Ref number: BG17
Gilt Metal