Paco Rabanne, Spanish-born designer, has died aged 88 in Portsall, Brittany.
The death of Francisco Rabaneda y Cuervo – Rabanne’s birth name – was confirmed by a spokesman for the Spanish conglomerate Puig, which controls the Paco Rabanne trademark he left two decades ago.
He founded his eponymous brand in 1966, and although the brand is now best known for its fragrances and aftershaves, it was his space-age designs in the 1970s. 1960 brought him to the attention of many people for the first time.
A statement shared on the fashion house’s official Instagram account said: “Paco Rabanne’s House wishes to honor our visionary designer and founder, who has passed away. today at the age of 88.
“Among the most iconic fashion figures of the 20th century, his legacy will remain an inexhaustible source of inspiration.
“We are grateful to Monsieur Rabanne for establishing our pioneering legacy and defining a future with limitless possibilities.”
Dubbed the “baby terror” in his early years, he helped turn the status quo of the Parisian fashion scene, along with French designers Pierre Cardin and Andre Courreges.
His dazzling designs often use unconventional materials such as metal, paper, and plastic, with his first collection appropriately titled: “The Manifesto: 12 Dresses That Can’t Be Worn With contemporary material”.
