Paco Rabanne label returns to ready-to-wear

PARIS, Feb 4, 2011 (AFP) - Paco Rabanne announced Friday that it will be returning to the fashion world after a five-year hiatus, this time with Indian fashion designer Manish Arora at its helm as artistic director.

Arora will present Paco Rabanne's first ready-to-wear collection since 2006 at Paris Fashion Week next October, the company said in a statement.

Manish Arora - SS 11 collection

The New Delhi-based designer -- known for his psychedelic colours and kitsch motifs -- will take over a house made famous by its linked-metal women's wear.

Arora first presented his solo label in London in 2005 and has since shown his work in Paris.

The Spanish designer Paco Rabanne launched his label in 1966. He made his mark with dresses made of metal discs that inspired Coco Chanel to call him a "metal worker."

Paco Rabbane's aluminum plate studded chest dress created in 1966

Rabanne left the label in 2000, and in 2006 the house closed their clothes line after a string of artistic directors attempted, unsuccessfully, to revamp its ready-to-wear collections.

In January, Paco Rabanne also launched a new collection of handbags inspired by the label's classic chain-mail bag, originally designed in 1969.

The house collaborated with Japanese company Comme des Garcons to recreate the "69" bag, using new materials such as aluminium, rubber and plastic.

Next month, English designer Judy Blame will create his own version of the classic.

The Paco Rabanne house is owned by the Spanish group Puig.