Since the inception of Paco Rabanne’s namesake label in 1966, the house’s creations have left a large impact on the fashion world. With the unconventional use of materials like plastic and metal, Rabanne paved the way for many designers to break the mould and push the envelope of what can be used within fashion design.
While he refused the moniker of being a fashion futurist, what comes to mind immediately when we think of Rabanne are his space-age-inspired pieces. In recent times, Julien Dossena, the creative director for Rabanne since 2014, has nurtured an insurgence in popularity for the storied brand. Injecting modern sensibilities while paying homage to Rabanne’s archival designs season after season, Dossena has successfully instilled a renewed idea of the Rabanne woman–chic, glamorous and always ready for a good time.
That same woman comes to mind in Rabanne’s new collaboration with H&M. While more accessible as compared to Rabanne’s core line, the collection’s quality and range are certainly not compromised. On top of a womenswear and menswear capsule, the collection features an exclusive H&M home collection if you desire to transform your living space into a 2001: A Space Odyssey set of your dreams.
The iconoclastic metallic chainmail-inspired pieces were present in the form of dresses and co-ords with a newness in materials. Made with a blend of recycled and conventional metal–a first for both H&M and Rabanne itself, this innovation in tactility embodies the pioneering spirit of the founder while prioritising more sustainable production methods. Another familiar motif is the space-age discs that are seen on dresses, skirts and statement shoulder bags in a myriad of green, silver and gold.
Alongside these are new additions, seemingly taking inspiration from different eras of fashion. Pieces like the short Napoleon jacket for women, the long military coat for men and heavily adorned western boots are reminiscent of the uniforms of glam rock icons like David Bowie or the New York Dolls. A lush fuzzy coat proves reminiscent of a staple piece in a movie star’s wardrobe in the year 2000. A jacquard knitted two-piece is emblazoned with a loud geometric pattern in predominantly orange, with cues from the style codes during disco’s prominence in the 1970s.
If you’re looking to spruce up your home, the collection also features a diverse melange of homeware, which draws inspiration from the founder’s archive of mid-century furniture. Standouts include a metallic high table as well as a statement chain curtain, but those who desire a smaller keepsake can opt for an angled vase or a cards and dice set.
Photography: Rice Tan
Styling: Nicholas See
Producer: David Bay
Set designer: Abegail Arendayen
Make-up: Victoria Hwang/Suburbs Studio
Hair: Marc Teng
Manicure: Rebecca Chuang
Model: Manasi/Misc Management and Tristen/Mannequin Studio
Photography assistant: Nicholas Yan
Styling assistant: Jovial Wong
Production assistant: Anna Ivanova
The Rabanne H&M collection will be available in the H&M Orchard building flagship store and at hm.com on 9 November 2023.
