Julien Dossena
Former creative director of Rabanne (2013 to 2026)
Julien Dossena is a French designer who was creative director of Paco Rabanne, now Rabanne, from 2013 until June 2026. Over 13 years he turned a small Paris house into a must see show and, according to press reports, helped it become Puig's first fashion label to pass one billion euros in sales.
| Role | Creative director of Rabanne, 2013 to 2026 |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Rabanne (Puig) |
| Previously | Balenciaga, 2008 to 2012; founder of Atto |
| Education | École Duperré; La Cambre |
| Nationality | French |
Who is Julien Dossena?
Julien Dossena, born in Ploemeur in Brittany, is a French designer best known for his long tenure at Rabanne, the house founded by Paco Rabanne and owned by the Spanish group Puig. Appointed in 2013 at around the age of 30, he stayed for 13 years and left in June 2026. His successor, Olivier Rousteing, was named in July 2026.
Career
Dossena studied at the École Duperré in Paris and then at La Cambre in Brussels. While still a student he received a special jury prize at the Hyères International Fashion Festival in 2006. From 2008 to 2012 he worked at Balenciaga, starting as an intern under Nicolas Ghesquière. In 2012 he founded his own label, Atto, which was selected for the first edition of the LVMH Prize.
Puig appointed him artistic director of Paco Rabanne in 2013 and his first collection appeared that September. In 2016 he presided over the jury of the Hyères festival. The house dropped the first name from its label in 2023 and became Rabanne. His final collection was Resort 2027, and no new role had been announced at the time of writing.
Influence on the fashion business
Dossena's achievement was to build a coherent, wearable wardrobe around the chainmail and metal discs that made Paco Rabanne famous in the 1960s. Highlights of his tenure include:
- Turning Rabanne into a fixture of the Paris Fashion Week schedule
- Dressing performers and actors such as Beyoncé, Miley Cyrus and Sabrina Carpenter
- Collaborations with H&M and a guest couture collection for Jean Paul Gaultier
- A rebrand to Rabanne in 2023, the year the label passed one billion euros in sales, according to W Magazine
Vogue critic Sarah Mower observed that within five years he had made the relatively small house an unmissable name in fashion.
Why it matters
Dossena's 13 years at Rabanne show the value of continuity in creative leadership at a time when many houses change designers every few seasons. His tenure also demonstrates how a fragrance led group can use fashion credibility to strengthen a brand whose revenue depends heavily on beauty licences and perfume. His exit in 2026 formed part of a broad reshuffle of creative directors across Paris.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Julien Dossena?
Julien Dossena is a French designer who was creative director of Paco Rabanne, later Rabanne, from 2013 to 2026. He previously worked at Balenciaga under Nicolas Ghesquière and founded the label Atto.
Why did Julien Dossena leave Rabanne?
His departure was announced on 24 June 2026 after 13 years, and no reason beyond the end of his tenure was given in the coverage reviewed. Puig named Olivier Rousteing as his successor in July 2026.