Paco Rabanne, a French-Spanish fashion designer who gained prominence in the 1960s, continues to be a topic of interest, with many seeking information about his death and obituary.
Francisco Rabaneda Cuervo, better known by his stage name Paco Rabanne, started his career in fashion by designing jewelry for Givenchy, Dior, and Balenciaga. In 1966, he founded his own fashion house and quickly became known for his flamboyant and extravagant designs that utilized unconventional materials such as metal, paper, and plastic.
Rabanne’s impact on the fashion industry was significant, with his innovative and daring designs leaving a lasting impression. Notably, he designed the iconic green outfit worn by Jane Fonda in the 1968 science fiction film Barbarella.
Even today, musicians such as Mylène Farmer continue to seek out Rabanne’s unique vision for their live performances. While there may be interest in Rabanne’s death, his contributions to the fashion world continue to be celebrated and remembered.
How Much Was Paco Rabanne Net Worth At The Time Of His Death?
At the time of his passing, Paco Rabanne’s net worth, attributed to his captivating fashion designs, was estimated to be in the billions. According to Mediamass, the French fashion designer had an estimated net worth of $215 million.
Sources suggest that Paco was one of the highest-paid fashion designers globally, earning an astounding $75 million, which was almost $40 million more than his closest competition.
After training as an architect, he applied his skills to avant-garde accessory design and presented unique creations for several haute couture houses by the 1960s.
In 1966, the designer debuted his eponymous brand by showcasing “Manifesto: 12 unwearable dresses in contemporary material.” Paco’s signature chainmail dresses helped define an era of shape-shifting fashion designers. He owes his fortune to smart stock investments and lucrative endorsement deals with CoverGirl cosmetics.
Additionally, the designer owned several restaurants, the “Fat Rabanne Burger” chain, and a football team, the “Pasaia Angels.” He also launched his own brand of vodka, Pure Wonderabanne – France, a top-selling perfume called “With Love from Paco,” and a fashion line named “Paco Rabanne Seduction.”
Paco Rabanne Death And Obituary: How Did Spanish Fashion Designer Die?
According to a recent announcement from Puig, the organization that owns the Paco Rabanne fashion brand, the world has lost a true trendsetter. Paco Rabanne, known for his metallic and space-age clothing as well as his globally marketed perfumes, passed away at the age of 88.
In a statement on their website, The House of Paco Rabanne paid tribute to their founder, referring to him as a creative genius whose legacy will endure, making him one of the most important figures in 20th-century fashion.
Although he will be missed, his innovative material selection, visionary approach, and creative independence have left an indelible mark on the fashion industry, inspiring a whole generation of fashion designers. The latest ready-to-wear designs from his fashion label are expected to be showcased at Paris Fashion Week, scheduled to take place from February 27 to March 3.
Early Life and Education of Paco Rabanne
Paco Rabanne, the celebrated fashion designer known for his avant-garde designs and fragrances, was born on February 18, 1934, in the Basque town of Pasaia in the region of Gipuzkoa.
His father, a Republican Colonel, was beheaded by Francoist troops during the Spanish Civil War. In 1937, when Cristóbal Balenciaga launched his fashion label in Paris, he relocated Rabanne’s family due to the war.
Rabanne’s mother, who was the head seamstress, worked at Balenciaga’s first couture House in Donostia, Basque Country. Rabanne pursued an architecture degree at the École Nationale des Beaux-Arts in Paris in the mid-1950s while also working as a fashion sketcher for Dior and Givenchy and a shoe sketcher for Charles Jourdan.
Afterward, Rabanne spent over a decade working for Auguste Perret, France’s leading producer of reinforced concrete.
Other Details on Paco Rabanne
In 2006, Rabanne visited Kyiv, Ukraine, and was struck by the changes that occurred since the Orange Revolution, describing it as a “flower opening its petals before my eyes.”
After designer Manish Arora, German-Colombian fashion designer Lydia Maurer took over as head designer in the summer of 2012, and in mid-2013, former Balenciaga designer Julien Dossena was named creative director of womenswear.
Dossena’s bold material choices, visionary approach, and creative freedom have earned him praise from fashion experts and influenced a whole generation of designers. The ateliers are located above Nina Ricci’s flagship store on Avenue Montaigne in Paris.
After more than ten years since the last Paco Rabanne boutiques were closed, a new store finally opened on Rue Cambon in Paris in January 2016.
