World-renowned fashion designer Paco Rabanne dies aged 88

The designer, whose real name was Francisco Rabaneda Cuervo, founded the eponymous fashion house in 1966.

3rd Feb 2023

World famous fashion designer Paco Rabanne has died at the age of 88, it has been announced.

The Spanish-born designer, whose real name was Francisco Rabaneda Cuervo, founded the renowned fashion house named after him in 1966.

A statement shared on the official Paco Rabanne Instagram account said: “The House of Paco Rabanne wishes to honour our visionary designer and founder who passed away today at the age of 88.

“Among the most seminal fashion figures of the 20th century, his legacy will remain a constant source of inspiration.

“We are grateful to Monsieur Rabanne for establishing our avant-garde heritage and defining a future of limitless possibilities.”

Alongside fellow French designers Pierre Cardin and Andre Courreges, Cuervo helped upset the status quo of Paris fashion in the 1960s, earning him the moniker of “enfant terrible”.

Born in 1934 in the Basque Country, he escaped the Spanish Civil War by fleeing to France at the age of five alongside his mother, a head seamstress at Balenciaga.

For his debut couture collection in 1966, he presented “12 unwearable dresses in contemporary materials”, which included a chain mail-inspired minidress made of aluminium plates.

His fashion house also had commercial success with his range of perfumes, and his debut fragrance, Calandre, is still available today.

Lady Million, with its eye-catching gold-capped bottle, remains a best-seller and widely available.