History of Paco Rabanne in Timeline
"Paco Rabanne", pseudonym of Francisco Rabaneda Cuervo, was a Spanish fashion designer renowned for his avant-garde creations. He gained recognition in the 1960s for his unconventional use of materials such as metal, plastic, and paper in his clothing and accessories, challenging traditional notions of fashion. Rabanne's futuristic designs and innovative techniques left a lasting impact on the fashion industry, solidifying his status as a visionary couturier.
February 1934: Early Life and Family Tragedy
Born in February 1934, Rabanne's early life was marked by the tragedy of his father's execution by Francoist troops during the Spanish Civil War. His mother, a chief seamstress for Cristóbal Balenciaga, played a pivotal role in shaping his future career path.
February 1934: Birth of Paco Rabanne
Paco Rabanne, originally named Francisco Rabaneda Cuervo, was born in February 1934 in Pasaia, Gipuzkoa province, Spain.
1939: Move to France and Exposure to Fashion
In 1939, Rabanne's family relocated to France, where his mother continued her work with Balenciaga in Paris. This move exposed him to the world of fashion from a young age.
1966: Launch of Paco Rabanne Fashion House and Unconventional Designs
Paco Rabanne established his own fashion house in 1966, making a bold statement with his debut collection, "Manifesto: 12 unwearable dresses in contemporary materials." He challenged conventional norms by using unconventional materials like metal, paper, and plastic, earning him recognition as a fashion revolutionary.
1966: Recognition as a Fashion Revolutionary
Women's Wear Daily hailed Paco Rabanne as one of the "fashion revolutionaries" in 1966, alongside other notable figures like Edie Sedgwick, Pierre Cardin, and Yves Saint Laurent.
1968: Designing for Jane Fonda in Barbarella
Paco Rabanne designed the iconic green dress and other costumes worn by Jane Fonda in the 1968 science fiction film "Barbarella." This further solidified his futuristic and space-age design aesthetic.
1968: Collaboration with Puig Fragrances Begins
Paco Rabanne embarked on a successful partnership with fragrance company Puig in 1968, leading to the creation and marketing of his renowned perfumes.
1969: Release of Calandre Fragrance
The year 1969 marked the launch of Rabanne's debut fragrance, Calandre, which quickly gained popularity and became one of his most celebrated scents.
1976: Establishment of Perfume Factory
In 1976, Puig expanded its operations by building a dedicated perfume factory in Chartres, France, to meet the growing demand for Rabanne's fragrances.
1994: Publication of "Has the Countdown Begun?"
Paco Rabanne delved into the literary world in 1994 with the publication of his book, "Has the Countdown Begun? Through Darkness to Enlightenment."
1994: Release of XS Fragrance
Paco Rabanne introduced his new scent, XS, to the market in 1994, further expanding his fragrance empire and influence.
1996: Collaboration with Mylène Farmer
In 1996, renowned French singer Mylène Farmer commissioned Rabanne to design her stage costumes for her "Tour 1996" and the subsequent "Live à Bercy" album.
May 1999: Vow of Silence on Predictions
Following his Mir prophecy, Rabanne vowed in May 1999 to cease making predictions if the space station didn't crash as predicted. However, he claimed a vision of the Virgin Mary instructed him to continue.
August 1999: Prophecy of Mir Space Station Crash
In 1999, Rabanne's public prophecy that the Mir space station would crash in Paris during the August 11th solar eclipse drew significant attention.
2004: Inspiration from Beslan Tragedy
One particular drawing, depicting a child releasing a dove and balloon, was a poignant response to the 2004 Beslan school siege, highlighting the event's impact on Rabanne.
2005: First Exhibition of Drawings in Moscow
At the age of 72, Rabanne chose Moscow, Russia, as the location for his first public exhibition of drawings in 2005. He was inspired to share his art before he "disappeared from this planet."
2006: Visit to Ukraine and Observations
During his 2006 visit to Kyiv, Ukraine, Rabanne drew a parallel between the country's post-Orange Revolution atmosphere and a "flower unfolding its petals."
2008: Release of 1 Million Fragrance
The year 2008 saw the release of "1 Million," the last fragrance personally developed by Rabanne. It achieved global recognition and became a top-selling men's fragrance.
November 2010: Legion of Honour Award
French Culture Minister Frédéric Mitterrand presented Paco Rabanne with the prestigious Legion of Honour in November 2010, recognizing his significant contributions to the fashion industry.
2011: Manish Arora Appointed Menswear Designer
Indian fashion designer Manish Arora was appointed as the chief designer for Paco Rabanne menswear in 2011, bringing his unique style to the brand.
2012: Lydia Maurer Takes Over Menswear Design
German designer Lydia Maurer succeeded Manish Arora in 2012, becoming the new head of menswear design at Paco Rabanne.
2013: Julien Dossena as Creative Director
Paco Rabanne appointed Julien Dossena, a Belgian designer formerly with Balenciaga, as creative director for womenswear in mid-2013. His designs were met with critical acclaim.
January 2016: New Paco Rabanne Store Opens in Paris
A new chapter for Paco Rabanne began in January 2016 with the opening of a store on Rue Cambon in Paris, marking a return to the city's fashion scene.
February 2023: Death of Paco Rabanne
Paco Rabanne passed away at the age of 88 in February 2023 at his home in Portsall, Ploudalmézeau, France.
February 2023: Death of Paco Rabanne
Paco Rabanne passed away at the age of 88 in February 2023 at his home in Portsall, Ploudalmézeau, France.
June 2023: Rebranding of Paco Rabanne Fragrances
In a significant brand shift in June 2023, the Paco Rabanne fragrance line was rebranded as simply "Rabanne," dropping his first name from the branding.