Pierre Cardin is rightfully considered one of the most influential figures in the world of haute couture. He has always been attracted by avant-garde and abstract design. It was Cardin who made efforts to ensure that a stream of fresh air burst into the world of fashionable clothes. The interests of the couturier are very wide and are not at all limited to just modeling clothes.
From the biography of Pierre Cardin
The future famous fashion designer was born on July 7, 1922 in Italy into a relatively poor French family, where he became the sixth child. Cardin's father was at first a soldier, then he began to master winemaking. Pierre had to follow in his father's footsteps, but from childhood he was attracted by other activities: Pierre dreamed of creating beautiful clothes.
In his youth, Cardin was interested in theater - he was attracted by the abundance of theatrical costumes. He also paid attention to dolls - after all, they could sew a wide variety of outfits.
In 1926, the Cardin family moved from Italy to France. At the age of fourteen, Pierre becomes a tailor's assistant. Three years later, Cardin settled in Vichy, where he found a tailor's job in a store selling men's clothing. Having received the necessary experience, knowledge and skills, Pierre, at the age of 23, sets out to conquer the capital of France.
To the heights of excellence
Cardin's interests were not limited to sewing: he diligently studies design and architecture. In Paris, Pierre continues to gain experience working in various fashion ateliers. He meets Christian Berard and Jean Cocteau. It was they who helped Cardin to get the first large order: Pierre was to create costumes for the film "Beauty and the Beast".
After some time, Cardin, gaining experience, takes the position of the leading fashion designer in the Dior studio. Here he worked for three years. Pierre boldly experiments with geometric shapes and strict lines. He completely ignores the traditional forms of women's dress. The famous "bubble dresses" became a find in his collection. Pierre devotes a lot of time to experimentation, offering the market an avant-garde unisex garment.
The designer creates the first collection of women's clothing in 1957. The success has been impressive. In his works, Cardin used a slanting cut, bright colors and semi-fitted lines. Cardin introduced helmets, glasses and unusual shapes in which cosmic fantasies shone through.
Cardin takes a bold step: in the mid-50s, he opens a boutique called Eve. And three years later, he started modeling clothes for men and opened the Adam store. Men's outfits performed by Cardin received the entire palette of colors, which was unusual at that time. Pierre went further: he began to arrange fashion shows not on the classic catwalk, but right in his salons. Cardin was immediately accused of trying to belittle the high rank of couturier and was severely criticized. But this only added to Cardin's popularity.
A few years later, the fashion designer opened Pierre Cardin children's clothing salon in the capital of France. Soon such stores began to open all over the planet.
Pierre Cardin's skyline
One of the first European fashion designers, Cardin turned his attention to the fertile Japanese market. In the 60s, Pierre worked diligently on models of the most bizarre shapes and color combinations.
Not only fashion interested the famous couturier. He achieved success in perfumery, took part in the development of the design of the Toyota car. He was also engaged in the hotel business. Since the beginning of the 80s, Cardin became the owner of a restaurant chain.
The personal life of a fashion designer has always been equally diverse. Pierre Cardin is known for his interest in both women and men. His greatest love was the actress Jeanne Moreau, whom Coco Chanel introduced the fashion designer to. However, Jeanne could not have children. After some time, Cardin and Moreau parted ways, maintaining friendly relations.
At a very advanced age, Cardin continues to manage his projects. He is looking for new solutions that will expand his business. In 2016, a message flashed in the media that Cardin was thinking about transferring part of his sewing production to Russia, having become interested in its promising market.
