The first courtier to experiment with metal, plastic, and aluminium has departed at the age of 88. Here is how he revolutionised the world of fashion.
Salvador Dali was rare to compliment anyone other than himself. Yet, the painter has often said that he and Paco Rabanne are “the only two geniuses in Spain ”. Praised by many, the designer has truly revolutionised fashion, and talking about looks of the ‘60s would be impossible without honouring his life and work.
In late ‘60s, Paco Rabanne launched his first perfume “Calandre” – those not keen on the history of fashion will still recognize his name thanks to his best selling fragrances.
Yet, like any other prodigy, mister Rabanne was, to say at least, unusual. Some of the outworldly claims he made were that he lived many lives, including that of a prostitute in the age of Louis the XV, and that he executed Tutankhamun in another lifetime. He surely had a flair for intrigue, as he also stated to have met Jesus and UFO’s.
After retiring in 1999, his line was revived with the creative direction of Manish Arora. Since 2013, the collections are excellently guided by Julien Dossena.
The departure of the visionary designer has shook the world of fashion to the core – but his works have granted him immortality.