Pierre Cardin

It's rather easy to recognise a Pierre Cardin design - geometric shapes, motifs and a distinctive de-arrangement of the female form.

Pierre Cardin also embraced the Space Age (astronaut-like looks) that dominated in the 60's.

Some Background

Pierre Cardin was an Italian designer, born in 1922. After apprenticing himself to a tailor at 17, Cardin worked at the houses of Paquin (then led by Antony Castillo), wherein he helped create costumes with Jean Cocteau and Christian Bérnard for the surreal film Beauty and the Beast. He spent some time chez Schiaparelli, too, before signing on with Christian Dior, where he helped create the "New Look" collection of 1947 and impressed Mr. Dior, who would later say "Designers like Pierre Cardin are the future of Haute Couture".

Pierre Cardin founded his own fashion house in 1950 and introduced the 'bubble dress' in 1954.

His vast knowledge of construction, tailoring and sculptural-architectural proportions made Cardin the only Paris couturier, outside of Balenciaga.

He was not only a designer, but an excellent fitter and cutter.

Another word to describe Pierre Cardin's style is: Futuristic.

"The clothes that I prefer are those I invent for a life that doesn't exist yet-the world of tomorrow"

His cut, cloth and construction choices were well ahead of his time. He created designs for the future, as he imagined it to be like.

The Cosmos Collection

His landmark Cosmos collection in 1964 anticipated unisex clothing (very revolutionary for his time), and his preference of crisp but agile textiles, like jersey and wool crepe, transformed fashion entirely.

But...there's yet more to why Pierre Cardin was so special...

Pierre Cardin was the first to bring ready-to-wear clothes available to the masses.

Before 1959, people had to go to couturists, and use on body techniques to have their clothes made. By bringing high fashion to the masses, he effectively became the first ever designer label.

"Clothes are important, everyone has to dress. It's like plants, like trees, you change your cover every season."

Even though Pierre Cardin will be remembered best for his contribution to fashion, he lent his futuristic design sense to everything...like, you can say 'This interior is so Pierre Cardin!'

From home interiors (see above his residence, Le Palais Bulles) to furniture, even car interiors too.

"To know whether a designer's left a mark on fashion you need to close your eyes and think what they represent. Chanel left her little suit, Paco Rabanne's about metal. Courreges left a mark as did Elsa Shiaparelli, Madeleine Vionnet...And as for Cardin himself? There's little doubt that he has left quite a mark." Vogue