November 10, 2023, 17:45 |
Reading time: 5 minutes
H&M’s association with renowned designers and brands has become a tradition. Karl Lagerfeld started in 2004, followed by brands such as Versace, Comme des Garçons, Maison Margiela and Balmain. New in the select group: Rabanne. STYLEBOOK offers you 9 interesting facts about the late Spanish designer.
Does Paco Rabanne tell you anything especially about perfume in the form of gold bars and/or diamonds? But you missed a lot!
Why Paco was removed from the name
The name change marked a pivotal moment for the fashion house, which is also launching its first makeup collection. One can only speculate whether Paco Rabanne’s death last February has anything to do with this. When Paco Rabanne founded the fashion house in 1966, he had already taken creative liberties with his name. Originally born Francisco Rabaneda y Cuervo, this name wasn’t exactly easy to pronounce.
When it comes to the new Rabanne logo, they looked to go back to Rabanne’s avant-garde heritage and focus on the first perfume the designer launched in 1969. The new logo font is based on that of the “Calandre” fragrance. The tiny shape of the logo is intended to represent a “disruptive approach that breaks the rules,” as the official statement states. This makes it clear: the name says it all.
The Spaniard spent almost every day in his study until shortly before he died. Photo: Getty Images
Paco Rabanne played a key role in shaping the fashion of the 1960s.
Paco Rabanne, the avant-garde fashion designer, came to global attention in 1966 with his groundbreaking collection known as “12 Unwearable Dresses in Contemporary Materials.” Here he used materials such as aluminum and chains for the first time, which until now were not conventional in the fashion industry. This marked the beginning of his career as an innovator in the world of fashion.
The designer in his studio in 1967 Photo: Getty Images
Aluminum dress for Françoise Hardy
One of his most iconic works is undoubtedly the aluminum “Unworn Dress,” which he created in 1967 for actress Françoise Hardy. This metal dress became a symbol of 1960s futuristic fashion and showcased Rabanne’s bold experiments with materials.
Paco Rabanne inspired the costume designer of the iconic film “Barbarella”
Jane Fonda in her iconic role as “Barbarella” Photo: Getty Images
The film “Barbarella” helped fashion designer Paco Rabanne gain instant fame. Jacques Fonteray, the costume designer, was inspired by Rabanne’s ideas, particularly for Jane Fonda’s tight-fitting catsuit. Rabanne herself is credited with designing Barbarella’s green suit in the final scene.
Not only a designer, but also a perfumer.
Paco Rabanne was not only a fashion designer, but also a successful perfumer. The “Calandre” fragrance, launched in 1969, is just one example of his successful forays into the world of fragrances. Paco Rabanne’s most popular and best-selling perfume is “1 Million” for men and “Lady Million” for women. These fragrances are known for their striking and sensual aromas and have become true classics.
Paco Rabanne is an architect by training.
His interest in architecture was reflected not only in his design language, but also in his academic training. Before his career in fashion, Rabanne studied architecture in Paris.
He was a designer for Givenchy and Balenciaga.
Her successful start in the fashion industry began by designing jewelry for renowned fashion designers such as Givenchy and Balenciaga before starting her own business and founding her clothing line.
a person with a lot of heart
Paco Rabanne was also active in charities and social causes, making his personality and work in the fashion world even more diverse.
Collection with H&M
On Thursday, November 9, the time came: H&M’s latest designer collection with Rabanne was launched. Under the creative direction of Julien Dossena, responsible for the collections since 2014, the brand’s characteristic codes can also be found in the Swedish fashion company. An example of this is a skirt made of gold sequins the size of a coin, purple pants with glitter, or garments made of metallic mesh.
H&M collection pays homage to Rabanne’s iconic metallic dresses Photo: H&M
When asked by STYLEBOOK, H&M explained the background as follows: “We are very happy to work with Rabanne to give our customers the opportunity to own a piece of fashion history, such as the iconic two-piece suits and dresses made metal mesh, long pleated skirts or retro tracksuits and t-shirts designed specifically for relaxation. Excited by the idea of an optimistic and energetic lifestyle, creative director Julien Dossena combined archival metallic mesh and mirrored sequins with sleek tailoring and dancefloor-dominating accessories as inspiration for this collection. The collection combines radical design with innovative craftsmanship and follows the futuristic creations of the company’s late founder, Paco Rabanne.”