Maxence Missiaen

Rabanne

Trained as an architect, Paco Rabanne's mind shocked the fashion world when he began designing accessories for haute couture houses in 1962. He established the eponymous Paco Rabanne fashion house in 1966, where his designs became renowned for a mélange of unexpected materials and glamorous, linear silhouettes. Rabanne broke the boundaries of fabric research and streamlined shapes, integrating materials like panels of linked ‘rhodoid' metal (not sewn with needle and thread but worked with pliers), and moulded Giffo plastic into his collections. His chainmail dresses have become iconic heirlooms of the house. Today, the Parisian fashion house Rabanne represents a unique crossroads of cutting-edge contemporary design and radical craft. Designed by French creative director Julien Dossena, the brand exudes a sense of urban ease mixed with innovative fabrications — creating readyto- wear and accessories collections that channel a progressive femininity. Since 2013, Dossena has set a precedent of sophistication and wearability for Rabanne. Criss-crossing elements of evening and sportswear, his collections have succeeded by remaining inspired yet not thematic, drawing from an array of global influences whilst respecting a real-world street appeal. Through a purist approach to fusing archetypes, a fil rouge of athletic elegance has emerged; Dossena's expert touch bringing a new effortlessness to the sculptural house codes by intertwining a delicate balance of structure and ‘flou'. Zipped jersey, second-skin knitwear, transparent and soft metallic textiles have become crucial elements in his pragmatic designs. Rabanne is a part of Puig, a third-generation family-owned fashion and fragrance business based in Barcelona. Puig creates distinctive brands and fragrance experiences that make people dream. The company's ambition is to define the future of the fragrance category and capture a disproportionate share of innovation and growth.