Paco Rabanne, the designer who shocked the world with his futuristic vision of fashion in the 1960s, has died. He was 88 years old.
Rabanne made his debut on the French fashion scene in 1966, presenting a collection titled “Manifesto: 12 Unwearable Dresses in Contemporary Materials,” which included pieces made from paper, metal, and plastic, among other unusual products. Its effect in contemporary culture was felt almost immediately. That same year, his collection was the basis for many of the clothes in William Klein’s cult-classic film Qui êtes-vous, Polly Maggoo?, a send-up of the world of fashion at the time. Rabanne was also responsible for creating the iconic costumes for Jane Fonda’s 1968 film Barbarella.
Rabanne retired in 1999 and the business was shuttered for a brief time, before being resurrected in 2011. Julien Dossena has been creative director there since 2013.
