Original 1980s Paco Rabanne Oroton Gold Metal Mesh Backless Mini Dress

Paco Rabanne was a Spanish designer who became known as the "l'enfant terrible" (unruly child) of the 1960s French fashion world. He began making jewellery in unusual materials for many of the French couturiers and in 1964 at the age of 30 presented his first collection. In 1966 he had his breakout show: “Twelve Unwearable Dresses in Contemporary Materials.” and it was with this show that he found his calling. He was quoted as saying “sewing is a bondage,” and made his dresses out of paper, plastic and metal, which were pieced together with wire and glue. By 1968 some of the most famous women in the world were wearing his pieces and along with André Courrèges and Pierre Cardin, he helped to create the 1960s Space Age movement.

The Paco Rabanne pieces made from a fine Oroton metal mesh were a spring board from the earlier chain mail examples and were heavily sought after and collected - then and now. It is very rare to find a dress from this time period and I am very pleased to have this one as it is really exceptional. It is completely made from a gold metal mesh. The mesh has a good weight to it but settles onto the body wonderfully and feels spectacular once on. The metal is very cool at first but once your body heat warms it up, it stays at your body temperature and feels quite sensual. The dress is a fairly simple cut that skims over your curves and leaves little to the imagination. It snaps to close at the top of the side of each waist. The top is squared off and with a series of cut out that follow the neckline. At the back it dips into a low cowl that leaves the entire back above that bare except for the chain that runs across the upper back to holds the dress in place. The mesh creates an almost bias cut effect so that is follows the movement of your body. It has just a touch of transparency to it that you can see in the photos. This was made to go dancing. Exceptional. Excellent condition

It slips on and there are snaps on each side of the waist and clasps to close at the back. The original metal Paco Rabanne tag is attached on the main clasp. There are a couple of hooks undone where the straps meet the body of the dress. Minor. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.

Bust: 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 32.5" from shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3416

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.