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 Paris Futuristic Chrome and Enamel Necklace
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Atlanta, GA
French designer Paco Rabanne, Paris, designed this rare, geometric Space Age necklace. The fabulous piece was crafted in France. This unique, futuristic piece features black enamel m...
Enamel
PACO RABANNE Vintage Electric Blue Bead & Silver Tone Metal Choker Necklace
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Nice, FR
PACO RABANNE vintage choker necklace featuring four strands of electric blue facetted glass beads alterning with tubular silver tone elements. Lobster clasp closure. Marked PACO RA...
Paco Rabanne Pastille Necklace
By Paco Rabanne
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
PACO RABANNE - (Made in France) Necklace made of silvery metal pastilles, and black and transparent rhodoid pastilles. Additional information: Condition: Good condition Dimensions: ...
Paco Rabanne Golden Necklace Made of Articulated Plates
By Paco Rabanne
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Paco Rabanne - Golden metal necklace made of articulated plates. Additional information: Condition: Good condition Dimensions: Length: from 52 cm to 55 cm Seller Reference: BC216
18KT Gold Necklace with 14.75Ct. Cabochon Blue Sapphires and 2.25 Carat Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
This lovely necklace is designed with 5 oval Blue Sapphire Cabochons, each set in an 18 kt yellow gold setting accented with round Brilliant Diamonds. The Sapphires hang from a neckl...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
18 Karat White Gold and Diamond Necklace with a Heart Motif on Chain
Located in Honolulu, HI
Beautiful diamond neckalce with drop heart motif in 18k white gold. This gorgeous necklace features 17 round diamonds bezel set at the center of a chain with a heart shape drop pendant pave set with 6 round diamonds. The diamond section is hinged between bezels for flexibility. A total of 24 round brilliant cut diamonds, G - H in color and SI in clarity totaling approximately 0.20 carat. The necklace is 15.50 inch long. The chain is cable link equipped wuth a lobster clasp. This gorgeous daimond necklace...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
John Hardy Dot Collection Necklace, Sterling Silver and 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By John Hardy
Located in Honolulu, HI
John Hardy Dot necklace in Sterling Silver & 18K yellow gold. This gorgeous John Hardy necklace is beautifully crafted in 6 oval sections in st...
18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Single Large Pearl Omega Chain Necklace 14K White Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Necklace Metal: 14k White Gold Total Weight: 7.8 Grams Necklace Length: 17" Pearl Type: Cultured Pearl Bead Diameter : 13.5 mm Stamped: "14KT" "Indonesia...
Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Diamond Hearts Drop Necklace in 14k White Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Style: Diamond Heart Drop Necklace Necklace Metal: 14k White Gold Total Weight: 19.2 Grams Chain Length: 17" Pe...
Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
20.75ct Blue Sapphire & Diamond Choker Necklace by Meghna Jewels
By Meghna Jewels
Located in Hoffman Estate, IL
Cast in 18 karat gold and sterling silver, this stunning choker necklace is hand set in 20.75 carats blue sapphire and 5.72 carats of diamonds in blackened finish. FOLLOW MEGHNA JE...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Hermes Diamond Torsade Necklace 18K White Gold Necklace
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers a rare and highly collectible Hermes Torsade diamond necklace. This no longer produced Hermes choker style necklace is featured in 18K high polish substantial white...
Diamond, White Gold
Victorian 18k Yellow Gold and Seed Pearls Flower Necklace
Located in New York, NY
Victorian 18k Yellow Gold and Seed Pearls Flower Necklace Details: Material: 18k yellow gold, seed pearls Inner circumference: approx. 42cm Weight: 18.4 grams In excellent condition
Pearl, 18k Gold
18K Gold Choker Necklace with 5.15ct Baguette Diamonds by Meghna
By Meghna Jewels
Located in Hoffman Estate, IL
Cast in 18 karat gold, this stunning choker necklace is hand set in 5.15 carats baguette cut diamonds. Also available in yellow and white gold. FOLLOW MEGHNA JEWELS storefront to v...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Diamond Green Onyx Meghna Jewels Claw Choker Necklace
By Meghna Jewels
Located in Hoffman Estate, IL
This sleek Claw choker is cast in 18K and sterling silver. It is hand set in 2.81 carats green onyx and .17 carats of diamond pave arches. Adjust the length to find your perfect fit...
Chalcedony, Diamond, White Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Baguette Diamond Choker Necklace in 14K Gold by Meghna Jewels, 3.48ct
By Meghna Jewels
Located in Hoffman Estate, IL
Cast in 14 karat gold, this stunning choker necklace is hand set in 3.48 carats baguette cut diamonds. Also available in yellow and white gold. FOLLOW MEGHNA JEWELS storefront to v...
Diamond, 14k Gold
Gübelin Pearl, Diamond, 18K White Gold, circa 1970
Located in New York, NY
A pearl, diamond, and 18-karat white gold necklace by Gübelin, Switzerland, c. 1970. Stamped 750, Gübelin's maker's mark. A highly unusual pearl, diamond and 18-karat white gold ne...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
Emerald Diamond Open Collar Necklace 18k Yellow Gold Italy
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Necklace Metal: 18k Yellow Gold Total Weight: 66.2 Grams Necklace Length: ~15.5" Necklace Width: ~14.7 mm wide Stamped: "18K" "750" "ITALY" Emerald Count...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 14 Karat Gold Intaglio Necklace
Located in New York, NY
Antique 14 K Gold Intaglio Faces Cameo round necklace. circa 1880. Size is 16.13 inch long. weighing 23.0 g/ 14.79 dwt,
Gold, 14k Gold
Semirigid Sacks Necklace in Satin 18k Yellow Gold
By Sacchi Gioielli
Located in Rome, IT
A semirigid segment choker for him or her to wear every day to embellish your look casual or for an important evening. Hand Made in lost-wax casting Lost-wax casting, one of the ...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Paco Rabanne Black Leather and Silver Metal Choker Necklace
By Paco Rabanne
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
PACO RABANNE - Chocker necklace in black leather and silver metal like a belt. Size M. Additional information: Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Length: 32 cm / 34 cm / 37 ...
Silver
Paco Rabanne Silvery Metal Necklace, 2000s
By Paco Rabanne
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Paco Rabanne - Silvery metal necklace with transparent pearls. Jewelry from the beginning of the 2000s. Additional information: Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Length: fr...
Paco Rabanne Vintage Modernist Dog Collar Necklace
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Nice, FR
PACO RABANNE vintage silver toned metal dog collar necklace featuring a large modernist perforated pendant. Hook clasp. Marked PACO RABANNE. In...
Paco Rabanne Vintage Rubber Choker Necklace
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Nice, FR
PACO RABANNE vintage choker necklace featuring seven rubber straps with antiqued silver tone elements. Lobster clasp closure. Extension chain. M...
Paco Rabanne 2000s silver metal choker necklace
By Paco Rabanne
Located in London, GB
Paco Rabanne 2000s silver metal choker necklace
Paco Rabanne Vintage Chainmail and Quartz Choker Necklace
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Nice, FR
PACO RABANNE vintage choker necklace featuring a silver tone chainmail grid embellished with dangling purple quartz chips. Lobster clasp closure. Adjustable length with extension ch...