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Last December, we brought you the rumor that designer Manish Arora had been secretly appointed creative director of legendary fashion house Paco Rabanne. This morning, the rumor was confirmed with an official press release from Paco Rabanne HQ.
The official release:
2011 marks the return of the house of Paco Rabanne to the world of fashion. Beginning with a limited-edition offering of accessories based on brand classics, and the inauguration of an ongoing series of collaborations with invited designers, the house also announces the appointment of Manish Arora as Creative Director of Women’s Wear.· Rumor: Manish Arora Appointed Creative Director of Paco Rabanne [Racked]The house of Paco Rabanne grabbed the limelight right from its inception in 1966. Its debut collection, titled “12 Unwearable Dresses in Contemporary Materials”, laid the foundation for an unmistakable, unconventional, uniquely visionary style.
Architect-turned-couturier, nicknamed “the metalworker of fashion” by Coco Chanel, Paco Rabanne literally turned established codes on their heads, endlessly breaking all the rules, utilizing unexpected materials, but always with the aim of making women look beautiful.
After more than 30 years of fashion, the year 2006 brought an end to the house’s ready to wear collections and fashions shows and marked the departure of the couturier who left to pursue other creative endeavors. The apparel business has lain dormant since 2006.
In 2011, the house of Paco Rabanne returned to center stage with the reissue of its iconic bag le69pacorabanne. For this comeback Paco Rabanne collaborated with pioneering Japanese fashion label Comme des Garçons to recreate, in new colors and materials, the house founder’s very first bag.
This marked the inauguration of the creative laboratory dubbed Paco Lab.
Its quasi-scientific name reflects the house’s desire to become an incubator of innovation, giving free reign to some of the most original and directional talents working in the fashion sphere, whether on a one-off or multi-season basis.
From March 2011, British designer Judy Blame becomes the new Paco Lab invitee. He will express his own vision of the world of Paco Rabanne through his personal customization of le69pacorabanne and an exclusive collection of jewelry pieces inspired by the bag.
Indian designer Manish Arora joins Paco Rabanne in the role of Creative Director of Women’s Wear. His first collection for the house - Spring/Summer 2012 - will be presented as part of the official Paris show calendar in October 2011. Like Paco Rabanne in his own time, Manish Arora is known for his provocative, inquisitive and innovative style, melding a love of beauty and craft with a desire to constantly push fashion forward.
With the creative input of Manish Arora, and the inspiring energy of Paco Lab and its medley of collaborators, Paco Rabanne is setting out to reclaim its place on fashion’s front lines, reprising its reputation for exciting creativity and eclectic individuality all expressed in a medium of modern luxury.