The house is remastering its founder’s ’80s Afro-disco and funk catalogue, and issuing a “remix challenge” to anyone with access to a digital audio workstation
Rabanne is leaning into its musical roots, teaming up with French music producer Damien Quintard and Miraval Studios to remaster its collection of Afro-disco and funk tracks from founder Paco Rabanne’s record label.
The house has a storied history with music, with founder Paco Rabanne, whose 1966 collection of metal and plastic dresses brought him to fame, being touted the first designer to incorporate music into his fashion shows. In 1983, he established Centre 57 in the 10th arrondissement of Paris, funding the 30,000-square-foot facility with proceeds from his perfumes. The space was open to all artists from the African and Caribbean diasporas and became an incubator for more than 100 musicians, artists, and dancers in residence until its closure. This latest endeavor is part of a trend towards music-based brand identity for Rabanne, whose recent high-summer campaign exalted Brazilian funk and became a smash hit.
Quintard, who’s worked with artists such as Brian Eno and Arca, showed excitement towards the opportunity to delve into Rabanne’s catalogue and discover music’s influence on the house’s collection.
The first song, an almost-forgotten 1983 disco track by Judy Carter, “Listen to the Music,” was rereleased on streaming platforms on Wednesday, with a bonus “remix challenge:” the artist with the best interpretation of the original song will win a September residency at Miraval to coproduce a brand new track, which will be due out by the end of October.