Paco Rabanne created the metal and plastic dresses that debuted in Paris in 1966.
Rabanne became famous for constructing garments from unconventional materials rather than relying only on traditional textiles. His early designs used linked metal pieces, plastic discs, and other industrial components, producing dresses that looked closer to sculpture or armour than conventional couture.
His debut collection in 1966 established him as one of the leading figures associated with Space Age fashion. The designs were visually striking but could also be heavy or uncomfortable, emphasizing spectacle and experimentation over everyday practicality.
Rabanne is often grouped with Pierre Cardin and André Courrèges, who also explored futuristic fashion. Rabanne’s signature distinction was his use of metal and other nontraditional materials as the garments themselves.