Paco Rabanne was born on February 18, 1934, in the Basque country of Spain. He grew up in a family of artists and was exposed to a variety of creative disciplines from an early age. After studying architecture, Rabanne became interested in the world of fashion, and he eventually went to Paris to study at the École des Beaux-Arts. In the early 1960s, Rabanne began to make a name for himself in the fashion world with his unconventional designs. He was known for his use of unconventional materials, such as metal, plastic, and paper, which he combined with more traditional fabrics to create unique and eye-catching pieces. He was also known for his futuristic designs, which often incorporated metallic accents and clean lines. One of Rabanne’s most famous collections was the “12 Unwearable Dresses” collection, which was presented in 1966. The collection consisted of twelve dresses made from various materials, including metal, paper, and plastic. The designs were intended to challenge traditional ideas of beauty and femininity, which caused a stir in the fashion world. The collection was widely praised by critics, and it helped to establish Rabanne as one of the most innovative designers of his time.

In addition to his work as a fashion designer, Rabanne was also involved in the world of film and theater. He designed costumes for several productions, including the 1968 film “BARBARELLA” and the 1970 production of “Hair.” He was also a frequent collaborator with the fashion photographer Helmut Newton, who often photographed Rabanne’s designs. Throughout his career, Rabanne continued to push the boundaries of fashion and design. He was a pioneer of the “ready-to-wear” movement, which aimed to make high-quality fashion more accessible to a wider audience. He was also a vocal advocate for sustainability in the fashion industry, and he was known for his commitment to using eco-friendly materials and production processes. Despite his success, Rabanne was not without his critics. Some people felt that his designs were too avant-garde and that they did not reflect the traditional ideals of beauty and femininity. However, Rabanne was undeterred by such criticism, and he continued to create designs that pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in the fashion world.

Today, Rabanne’s legacy continues to be felt in the fashion industry. His innovative designs and use of unconventional materials inspired a generation of designers, and his influence can still be seen in the work of many contemporary designers. His designs made a full circle moment in April of 2022 with the creation of the digital rendition of the 12 Unwearable Dresses as NFT’s. The Paco Rabanne brand created this digital collection as a “nod” to the brands unwearable pieces (referenced by Hypebae). This showed consumers that Paco Rabanne the evolution his intentions are making in the fashion industry by incorporation technology. He will be remembered as a visionary and a trailblazer, who helped to change the face of fashion forever.

The passing of Paco Rabanne marks the loss of one of the most innovative and influential designers of the 20th century. He was a true visionary who pushed the boundaries of what was possible in the world of fashion. He is a designer that creatives can say his work literally continues to inspire designers today, and his legacy will live on for generations to come.

The Fashion Code ✨