Legendary Spanish fashion designer, Paco Rabanne, has been named "Honorary Associate In Memoriam" of the Asociación de Creadores de Moda de España (ACME), a title that he had already accepted prior to his demise in February 2023.
Paco Rabanne conveyed his gratitude through a signed letter in which he also highlighted the collaboration between ACME and the Francisco Rabaneda Cuervo Foundation to promote and broadcast the fashion designer’s professional career, as well as to generate activities aimed at conceiving new spaces for the development of design and creation through innovation.
The fashion designer accepted this appointment granted by ACME with emotion. The objective of said distinction is to highlight his valuable contribution to 20th century fashion, but unfortunately, due to his delicate state of health, the act of bestowing the distinction "Honorary Associate", which was planned to take place at his home in Brittanny, France, could not be formalized. After his passing, he has been awarded the "In Memoriam" recognition, which he shares together with other iconic fashion personalities.
Furthermore, the Asociación de Creadores de Moda de España, commissioned the creation of a delicate sculptural piece of jewellery in the form of a silver bracelet, designed by Canarian designer Helena Rohner, as a gift to Paco Rabanne for his commendable work in the world of fashion with the anticipation of presenting it to him personally during the planned bestowment act.
As for the design of the piece, Helena Rohner focused on the possible daily use of it: "that's why I designed a solid silver bracelet, forceful and essential, which at the same time had the appearance of a sculpture." She also adds that she "felt very honoured to receive this commission from ACME to create an award to honour an entire professional career such as that of Paco Rabanne."
For Modesto Lomba, President of ACME, "the appointment of Paco Rabanne as “Honorary Associate In Memoriam” was natural due to the designer's ties to his Spanish origins, as well as the relationship he held with the Puig family who purchased his brand 10 years after its foundation hence allowing its development due to the financial and logistical support that this acquisition entailed”.
Daniel Rabaneda, fashion designer and great-nephew of Paco Rabanne, thanked "ACME enormously for the appointment of Paco as “Honorary Associate In Memoriam”, because it is key to keep his memory and legacy alive to serve as an inspiration to all of us dedicated to fashion, as well as the future generations. I wish for Paco to always be remembered as the great creator and visionary that he was, and that all, together, we may give him the merited recognition he deserves."
This illustrious title "In Memoriam" has also been awarded by ACME to other prominent personalities in the world of Spanish and international fashion such as Óscar de la Renta, Hubert de Givenchy, Elio Berhanyer, Jesús del Pozo or David Delfín. The list culminates with the figure of the iconic Basque designer Cristóbal Balenciaga, who retains the title of "Honorary President In Memoriam" of ACME.
The list of Honorary Associates of the Asociación de Creadores de Moda de España is completed with other relevant figures from the fashion industry such as Enrique Loewe, Manolo Blahnik or Carolina Herrera.
Paco Rabanne was born in Pasajes (Guipúzcoa) in 1936, and later moved to France, where he began his architecture studies at the École Nationale Supérieure de Beaux-Arts in Paris.
He presented his first manifesto-collection in 1966 under the title "12 impossible dresses" through experimental pieces made with contemporary materials. The proposal achieved worldwide fame and soon his talent began to be recognized, being known as the "fashion’s metallurgist".
Without ever moving away from a sensual and feminine character he created new codes for the representation of women, projecting an image that was a symbol of power and divinity. Additionally to founding his eponymous fashion brand, he has also carried out work in other artistic fields such as painting, literature or costume design for theatre and movies, including the famed costumes for movie "Barbarella" in 1968.
Paco Rabanne has been awarded over the years with important distinctions for his professional career, including his appointment as "Knight of the French National Order of the Legion of Honour" in 1989 or the “Gold Medal of Merit for Fine Arts” in Spain, which he personally collected in 2001.
