Paco Rabanne – French fashion designer

1960s Tile Shaped Bakelite Bib Necklace.
1960s Tile Shaped Bakelite Bib Necklace.

Paco Rabanne (born Francisco Rabaneda y Cuervo) is a French fashion designer of Basque origin, founder of his own high fashion house Paco Rabanne, a revolutionary in the world of fashion in the 1960s.

Born February 18, 1934 in Pasajes, Spain.

Died: February 3, 2023 (aged 88), Pludalmeso, France.

Vintage Paco Rabanne Sculptural Gold Chain Logo Cuff Bracelet 1970s.
Vintage Paco Rabanne Sculptural Gold Chain Logo Cuff Bracelet 1970s.

Did you know that the genius couturier Paco Rabanne started out designing costume jewelry – his inexpensive but original plastic jewelry sold out instantly? Initially, Paco Rabanne began to study architecture, but in the process he realized that he was interested in something completely different. Perhaps it is from here, from architecture, that the couturier’s love for geometry, which is especially noticeable in his jewelry, comes.

Paco Rabanne Style Space Age Chrome Wire Necklace with Geometric Pendant.
Paco Rabanne Style Space Age Chrome Wire Necklace with Geometric Pendant.

The future maestro was attracted by the world of fashion, the world of fairy tales of his childhood, where dreams come true, and magic can briefly materialize in the real world. His mother supported her son, and it was thanks to her that he got into the Balenciaga fashion house, for which he created many amazing jewelry pieces. Then the young Paco Rabanne began collaborating with the Dior and Givenchy fashion houses. And if his grandmother’s magical tales pushed him to choose his path, then his mother’s practicality determined the entire creative path of the maestro.

Paco Rabanne Style Futuristic Drapery Space Age Link Necklace.
Paco Rabanne Style Futuristic Drapery Space Age Link Necklace.

From the very beginning, Paco Rabanne gave preference to materials that no one would have thought of using before him to create clothes and accessories. The jewelry that Paco Rabanne designed for reputable fashion houses was made of plastic, and completely captivated people with its simplicity and unusualness. In the press, the designer was even awarded the epithet “fashion terrorist”. And, by the way, it was Rabanne, and not Gaultier, who was first dubbed “the unbearable child of French fashion”.

Paco Rabanne considered a woman a jewel, for whom he created precious frames: so jewelry-like are the clothing models that he created throughout his career. Well, and, of course, his jewelry.

Futuristic Paco Rabanne Heavy Link Pendant Necklace with Logo Clasp.
Futuristic Paco Rabanne Heavy Link Pendant Necklace with Logo Clasp.
Paco Rabanne Signed Geometric Gold Plated Modernist Brass Earrings 60's.
Paco Rabanne Signed Geometric Gold Plated Modernist Brass Earrings 60’s.
Paco Rabanne Vintage Creased Metal and Resin Cabochon Chandelier Earrings.
Paco Rabanne Vintage Creased Metal and Resin Cabochon Chandelier Earrings.
Paco Rabanne Space Age Futuristic Chrome and Black Enamel Choker Necklace.
Paco Rabanne Space Age Futuristic Chrome and Black Enamel Choker Necklace.
Paco Rabanne Paris Futuristic Metal Chainmail and Quartz Link Bracelet
Paco Rabanne Paris Futuristic Metal Chainmail and Quartz Link Bracelet
Paco Rabanne Vintage Antiqued Silver Toned Tubular Charms Dangling Earrings.
Paco Rabanne Vintage Antiqued Silver Toned Tubular Charms Dangling Earrings.
Paco Rabanne Vintage Chainmail and Quartz Choker Necklace.
Paco Rabanne Vintage Chainmail and Quartz Choker Necklace.
Paco Rabanne Wide Silver Toned Disco Bracelet Cuff.
Paco Rabanne Wide Silver Toned Disco Bracelet Cuff.
PACO RABANNE Vintage Rhodoid and Metal Discs Necklace.
PACO RABANNE Vintage Rhodoid and Metal Discs Necklace.
1970s Paco Rabanne Frosted Glass Gilt Metal Pendant Earrings.
1970s Paco Rabanne Frosted Glass Gilt Metal Pendant Earrings.
Spectacular Paco Rabanne Vintage Amethyst Purple Ring, c.1980 90.
Spectacular Paco Rabanne Vintage Amethyst Purple Ring, c.1980 90.
Paco Rabanne Gilded Metal Clip on Earrings.
Paco Rabanne Gilded Metal Clip on Earrings.
Paco Rabanne Paris Futuristic Silver Plate Clip Earrings.
Paco Rabanne Paris Futuristic Silver Plate Clip Earrings.
Paco Rabanne Golden Two row Necklace.
Paco Rabanne Golden Two row Necklace.
Paco Rabanne Articulated Bracelet.
Paco Rabanne Articulated Bracelet.
Paco Rabanne Quilted Earrings.
Paco Rabanne Quilted Earrings.
Paco Rabanne Iconic Dress in Gold Celluloid Pellets.
Paco Rabanne Iconic Dress in Gold Celluloid Pellets.
Paco Rabanne Metal Disc Cocktail Dress.
Paco Rabanne Metal Disc Cocktail Dress.
Paco Rabanne Vintage Silver Chainmail Bag.
Paco Rabanne Vintage Silver Chainmail Bag.
Original 1969 Paco Rabanne Silver Metal Pastilles Chainmail Mesh Mini Bag.
Original 1969 Paco Rabanne Silver Metal Pastilles Chainmail Mesh Mini Bag.