Paco Rabanne Has Passed Away

The Spanish-born French designer — best known for his namesake fashion line and fragrances — was 88.

Photo: Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Francisco Rabaneda Cuervo — the Spanish-born French designer best known as Paco Rabanne, who revolutionized the fashion industry with his futuristic designs and perfumes — has passed away. He was 88.

Though he officially retired in 1999, the brand he founded that bears his pseudonym, lives on. (It’s now owned by Spanish conglomerate Puig.) The news of his passing was announced on its official Instagram account.

“The House of Paco Rabanne wishes to honor our visionary designer and founder, who passed away today at the age of 88,” the brand wrote on Instagram on Feb. 3. “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.”

Rabanne started off in the jewelry sector, working for houses like Givenchy, Dior and Balenciaga, eventually starting his namesake label in 1966. Nicknamed “Wacko Paco,” he rose to fame for his eccentric designs, and soon became synonymous with the Space Age aesthetic. The metallic gowns and sparkly bags he pioneered are fan favorites even today. He also had a knack for fragrances: His very first scent, Calandre, debuted in 1969, and remains a signature of the brand; Paco Rabanne Pour Homme, meanwhile, has been a best-seller since 1973.

Rabanne retired after his 33rd couture show. Today, his brand lives on, under the creative direction of Julien Dossena.

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