Designer Paco Rabanne dies aged 88
Spanish-born fashion designer Paco Rabanne has died aged 88.
The designer, who was best known for his futuristic aesthetic and best-selling fragrances, passed away at his home in Portsall, France.
His death was confirmed on Friday by Spanish fashion and beauty conglomerate Puig, which controls the Paco Rabanne brand.
"There is only one Rabanne," said José Manuel Albesa, president of Puig's fashion and beauty division, in a statement to WWD. "With his passing, we are reminded once again of his enormous influence on contemporary fashion, a spirit that lives on in the house that bears his name."
"I am deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Paco Rabanne," added Marc Puig, chairman and chief executive officer of Puig. "The history of Puig and Paco Rabanne began in the late 1960s with the launch of Calandre, the perfume created soon after the designer released '12 Unwearable Dresses in Contemporary Materials.'
"A major personality in fashion, his was a daring, revolutionary and provocative vision, conveyed through a unique aesthetic. He will remain an important source of inspiration for the Puig fashion and fragrance teams, who continuously work together to express Mr. Paco Rabanne's radically modern codes. I extend my sincere condolences to his family and to those who have known him."
Rabanne, real name Francisco Rabaneda Cuervo, began his career in fashion by creating jewellery for Givenchy, Dior, and Balenciaga. He founded his own fashion house in 1966 and became known for using unconventional materials such as metal and plastic for his outlandish Space Age designs. He retired from fashion in 1999, after which he was rarely seen in public.
In 2011, Puig executives revived the fashion brand, appointing Indian designer Manish Arora to helm the label. French designer Julien Dossena has been the creative director since 2013.
The Paco Rabanne name is perhaps most synonymous with fragrances, with its range of famous scents including Calandre, Paco Rabanne Pour Homme, Black XS, One Million, Lady Million, and Invictus.
