“He was a revolutionary and a provocateur”: fashion designer Paco Raban died 2.3.2023, 17:35

The designer died at his home in Portsala. His death was announced by the Spanish luxury group Puig, which owns the Paco Rabanne fashion house and perfume store. Pac’s cause of death is unknown.

“Paco Rabanne wishes to honor the memory of our visionary designer and founder, who passed away today at the age of 88,” read an official statement. “As a leading fashion figure, he had a bold, revolutionary and provocative vision conveyed through a unique aesthetic,” said Puig Chairman Marc Puig.

The fashion designer was born in Pasajes, Basque Country. His real name is Francisco Rabaneda y Cuervo. Paco was raised by two women: his mother and grandmother. Grandma liked magic, it was she who gave the boy the nickname Paco, which means “crow” in Greek. In the world of fashion, Paco became famous for his trademark “chain mail”, thanks to which Coco Chanel called him “metallurgist”.

Raban was a true revolutionary in the fashion industry. He was the first to use music in his shows and invited black models to the stage. Paco also owes its appearance to unisex perfumes.

Before creating his own brand, the fashion designer collaborated with Balenciaga as well as Givenchy and Christian Dior. In 1966, Paco founded his fashion house, and his first collection received the complex title: “Manifesto: 12 unwearable dresses from modern materials.”

That’s when the world first saw “chain mail” instead of outfits. What seems commonplace now became a stunning sensation in the 1960s. Paco retired in 1999 and since then the fashion designer has rarely appeared in public. The designer’s outfits were adored by big Hollywood divas, including Audrey Hepburn and Brigitte Bardot. Salvador Dalí claimed that in history only two geniuses were born in Spain: Paco Raban and himself.

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