Paco Rabanne
In early February, Maison Paco Rabanne announced that its founder, Francisco "Paco" Rabaneda Cuervo, passed away at age 88. The Spanish-born fashion designer, known as Paco Rabanne, founded the iconic fashion house in 1966. Known for his futuristic designs, Space-Age fashion, chainmail dresses, and unconventional textiles, Paco Rabanne was a rebellious innovator in the fashion industry.
Paco Rabanne on the set of Casino Royale, 1966. Credit: Mirrorpix/Getty Images
Paco Rabanne debuted his collection, “12 Unwearable Dresses,” in 1966. His use of metal, aluminum, plastic, and other unusual materials both enraged and intrigued the industry. Paco Rabanne also began costume designing for iconic movies like Two for the Road (1967), Casino Royale (1967), and Barbarella (1968). From creating dresses out of paper to making a dress for Françoise Hardy out of 9 kilograms of pure gold, Paco Rabanne cemented himself as a trailblazer. In 1969, the fashion house launched its first of many beloved fragrances, “Calandre”. The timeless, metallic “1969” bag also came out that year. Assembled by hand and created from experimental materials, the bag is still adored today. Although Paco Rabanne made the decision to retire in 2000, Maison Paco Rabanne has continued to honor and evolve his innovations.
To celebrate his legacy and impact on fashion, we’ve put together some of our favorite designs by the legendary Paco Rabanne:
Audrey Hepburn in Two for the Road, 1967. Credit: 20th Century Fox
Paco Rabanne’s designs in Casino Royale, 1967
Jane Fonda in Barbarella, 1968. Credit: Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images
Françoise Hardy in Paco Rabanne, 1968. Via: @pacorabanne Instagram
Michèle Mercier in A Golden Widow, 1969
Paco Rabanne Haute Couture Spring/Summer 1993. Credit: Victor Virgile/Getty Images
Paco Rabanne Haute Couture Spring/Summer 1996. Credit: Stephane Cardinale/Sygma/Getty Images
Article by Taylor Houston, Assistant Fashion & Beauty Editor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Alexa Dyer, Graphic Design Coordinator, PhotoBook Magazine
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