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
French 19th Century Carnelian Intaglio 18 Karat Yellow Gold Signet Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle's head hallmark. The top of this splendid ring is set with an intaglio on carnelian bearing the initials "TH". The ring consists of 5 gold threads...
Carnelian, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Antique Black Enamel and Yellow Gold Mourning Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive antique Victorian 1840s black enamel and 14 karat yellow gold mourning ring with hair; part of our diverse antique jewelry and estate jewe...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
French 1960s Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Thread Dome Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle's head hallmark, and platinum, dog's head hallmark. In accordance with its period, this retro ring is made up of a mounting of gold threads which ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Splendid .35 Carat Natural Diamond 14 Karat Solid Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Splendid .35 Carats Natural Diamond 14K Solid Yellow Gold Ring Suggested Replacement Value: Approx. $2,200.00 Stamped: 14K Total Natural Round Cut Diamonds Weight: Approx. 0.35 Ca...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Serpenti Viper Single Coil Pave Diamond Ring - Size Large
By Bulgari
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This Bvlgari Serpenti Viper ring is crafted in 18K white gold and features a single coil wrap that is pavé-set with brilliant-cut diamonds. There is approximately 1.74 total carats o...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Kat Florence 18k Yellow Gold 0.60 Carat Round Brilliant Diamond Sprinkle Ring
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Kat Florence Natural Diamond Sprinkle 18 Karat Ring In Stock This exquisite 0.60-carat round brilliant diamond sprinkle ring features a stunning array of diamonds set in elegant 18-...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Multirow Ring with Princess Cut & Round 2.05 Ct Diamonds
Located in Old Tappan, NJ
Vintage 18K yellow gold ring with 12 princess cut diamonds and 16 round diamonds, all totaling 2.05 carats: G color, VS Clarity. Finger size is 6.5 and can be sized up or down by up...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
King Baby 925 Sterling Silver Gold Star Buffalo Ring
By King Baby
Located in Los Angeles, CA
100% Authentic, 100% Customer Satisfaction Top: 26 mm Band Width: 10 mm Metal: 925 Sterlings Silver Size: 10 Hallmarks: King Baby 925 Total Weight: 57.5 Grams Stone: None Co...
Sterling Silver
French 1940s Ruby Diamond Sapphire 18 Karat Yellow Gold Patriotic Tank Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle's head hallmark. Geometric, this tank ring is set on its top of a blue sapphire, a white diamond and a ruby. Total weight of the ruby : around 0.3...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Y...
14K Gold Blue Sapphire and Diamond Pinky Ring, 1980s, Size 6.5
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Crafted in luminous 14K yellow gold, this striking pinky ring showcases a sophisticated constellation of rich blue sapphires and shimmering pavé diamonds in a bold, sculptural design...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century Intaglio 18 Karat Rose Gold Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat rose gold. Antique ring, it is decorated with an intaglio on agate representing a helmeted man. It is held on all its sides by pallets. Height : 14,5 mm, width : 10,1 mm approximately, thickness : 4,4 mm, width of the ring at the base : 5,4 mm. Total weight of the jewel : 3,6 g approximately. US Size : 7 ; Free resize, please contact us. Authentic antique jewelry - Work of the XIXth century. Marks of time and restorations on the back of the jewel, invisible when worn. Our opinion : A nice antique intaglio ring...
Agate, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
19th Century Amethyst Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold. This charming antique ring is adorned with a briolette amethyst, supported by two rose-cut diamonds edged with pearl. The start of the ring is a thin tw...
Amethyst, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
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