Fashion Designer Paco Rabanne Has Passed Away Aged 88
Paco Rabanne has passed away aged 88 in Portsall, France.
The Spanish designer's death was confirmed by Puig, the company controlling the late founder's iconic brand.
Rabanne (born Francisco Rabaneda Cuervo) rose to success in 1966 with his metal and plastic-crafted first collection titled 'The Unwearables'. The, well, barely wearable collection of dresses earned the San Sebastian-born creative the title of the fashion world's 'enfant terrible'.
His perfume line launched soon afterwards.
Prior to launching his brand, Rabanne had worked as a jewellery designer at Dior, Balenciaga and Givenchy.
Rabanne's Space Age creations are instantly recognisable, having been worn by everyone from Jane Fonda in the 1968 cult classic Barbarella, to today's style stars, such as Dua Lipa, Sophie Turner and Kaia Gerber.
Rabanne retired from the world of fashion in 1999 handing the reins to Lydia Maurer, who was in turn was replaced by Julien Dossena as Creative Director in 2014.
Since Dossena's tenure, the brand has experienced renewed success, with the Parisian designer broadening the scope of Paco Rabanne's output (incorporating denim, lace and knitwear into the metal-filled collections) while maintaining the brand's original DNA.
Rabanne himself turned to art later in his life, opening an exhibition of his own drawings in Moscow in 2005. He reportedly said of his artwork: 'I am 72 years old and I wanted to present my drawings this year before disappearing from this planet. I have not shown them to anyone except Salvador Dalí 30 years ago who told me to keep going.'
Of his passing, representatives from the eponymous fashion house had this message for the public:
The House of Paco Rabanne wishes to honour our visionary designer and founder who passed away today at the age of 88. Among the most seminal fashion figures of the 20th century, his legacy will remain a constant source of inspiration. pic.twitter.com/H2ARz41BjY
— Paco Rabanne (@PacoRabanne) February 3, 2023
Other luminaries and commentators from the fashion industry have expressed their condolences:
Goodbye Paco Rabanne, who gave the space age shape.
— Vanessa Friedman (@VVFriedman) February 3, 2023
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