The house, which is owned by Puig, has not shown a RTW collection since 2006, when its namesake founder exited the industry after thirty years.
“In 1966, I started out with twelve experimental dresses in contemporary materials and more than 40 years later, the time has come for new experiences,” said Rabanne, 76, today. “The Paco Rabanne House must invent other things, touch different universes, have a different outlook and reach out to the public differently. From now on we must avoid the industrial dimension, but return to the craftsmanship aspect and produce small collections.”
Rabanne was born in Basque Country, Spain, but fled the country for France with his mother when the Spanish Civil War broke out. Educatd as an architect, he began his career in fashion by designing jewelry for the likes of Dior, Balenciaga, and Givenchy before launching his own brand in 1966. A pioneer of unconventional materials such plastic, paper, metal, Rabanne was also well-known for his interest in the paranormal, such as his infamous prediction that the Russian space station Mir would fall on Paris. Arora, who launched his eponymous brand in India in 1997, began showing at London Fashion Week in 2005. Known for his use of brights, embellishment, and reworked Indian design elements, his first collection for Rabanne will be presented this October in Paris for Spring/Summer 2011.