Trained as an architect, Paco Rabanne’s mind shocked the fashion world
when he began designing accessories for haute couture houses in 1962.
He established the eponymous Paco Rabanne fashion house in 1966, where
his designs became renowned for a mélange of unexpected materials and
glamorous, linear silhouettes. Rabanne broke the boundaries of fabric
research and streamlined shapes, integrating materials like panels of linked
‘rhodoid’ metal (not sewn with needle and thread but worked with pliers),
and moulded Giffo plastic into his collections. His chainmail dresses have
become iconic heirlooms of the house.
Today, the Parisian fashion house Paco Rabanne represents a unique
crossroads of cutting-edge contemporary design and radical craft.
Designed by French creative director Julien Dossena, the brand exudes a
sense of urban ease mixed with innovative fabrications — creating readyto-
wear and accessories collections that channel a progressive femininity.
Since 2013, Dossena has set a precedent of sophistication and wearability
for Paco Rabanne. Criss-crossing elements of evening and sportswear,
his collections have succeeded by remaining inspired yet not thematic,
drawing from an array of global influences whilst respecting a real-world
street appeal. Through a purist approach to fusing archetypes, a fil rouge
of athletic elegance has emerged; Dossena’s expert touch bringing a new
effortlessness to the sculptural house codes by intertwining a delicate
balance of structure and ‘flou’. Zipped jersey, second-skin knitwear,
transparent and soft metallic textiles have become crucial elements in his
pragmatic designs.
Paco Rabanne is a part of Puig, a third-generation family-owned fashion and fragrance business based in Barcelona. Puig creates distinctive brands and fragrance experiences that make people dream. The company’s ambition is to define the future of the fragrance category and capture a disproportionate share of innovation and growth.
