Paco Rabanne Copper Silk Gold Chain Fringe Dress, Fall 2004

This silk dress was designed by Rosemary Rodriguez for Paco Rabanne. Before becoming creative director, Rodriquez was a protégé of the innovative Spanish designer. In the early 1960s, Rabanne designed buttons for haute couture houses like Balenciaga and Givenchy. This early experience arguably taught him the importance of small details, which come together to create the overall garment. By the late 1960s, he was a designer in his own right - known for experimental designs that incorporated unconventional materials like metal or plastic.

Rabanne’s guiding influence on Rodriguez’s work is apparent in this silk dress. The importance of details is seen in the literal layers of textiles and various embellishments that cover the entire dress. The raw-edged silk fringe is adorned with crystals - giving the dress both a little bit of edge and plenty of glamour for evening. Another layer of texture is added with strands of gold chain, which are particularly evocative of Rabanne’s own work.

As seen on supermodel Karolina Kurkova wearing its twin at the Paco Rabanne Golden Age Party, the disparate materials come together to create a cohesive look. While this dress reflects the forward-thinking innovation associated with the name Paco Rabanne, it also draws inspiration from the past. It is very reminiscent of a 1920s flapper.

The straight shift dresses traditionally worn are reimagined by tailoring the bodice to the body for a more alluring silhouette. Rows of fringe are replaced with the free-flowing strips of silk and gold chains, which move to reveal the curves of the body. This texture rich creation clearly captures the innovation associated with the label, while also nodding to an iconic style of the past.

Measurements:

Bust: 32 inches

Waist: 24 inches

Hips: 34 inches

This 2004 brown copper silk charmeuse dress by Rosemary Rodriguez for Paco Rabanne is in excellent condition. The bodice is supported by boning along the seams and it closes at the back with a zipper. The dress is adorned all over with fringes of chiffon charmeuse and chain. The gold, circular chair also trims the neckline and straps.

Rodriguez’s mixing of metal and silk is in line with the label’s tradition of mixing in non-conventional materials. High-quality pieces like this are yours to live in and love while increasing in value every year. It’s never too soon to start collecting them, as an investment in your wardrobe—and in yourself.