Pierre Cardin Biography

Vita

• 1936

  Cardin learns the basics of fashion design and construction as a tailor's apprentice at the age of 14.

• 1939

  Leaves home to work for a tailor in Vichy, where he begins making women's suits.

• 1945

  After working for the Red Cross during World War II, Cardin moves to Paris to study architecture and works at the fashion house of Paquin and Elsa Schiaparelli.
  
  He contributes to the costumes for Jean Cocteau's film *Beauty and the Beast*.

• 1947

  Becomes head of Christian Dior's tailoring atelier, where he helps design the iconic Bar suit for Dior's first collection.

• 1950

  Cardin founds his own fashion house at 10 rue Richepanse in Paris and begins designing masks and costumes for the theater.

• 1951

  Designs costumes for a masked ball in Venice hosted by Carlos de Beistegui.

• 1953

  He presents his first womenswear collection and becomes a member of the Chambre Syndicale, a prestigious association of haute couture designers.

• 1954

  Cardin introduces the *bubble dress*, which becomes one of his signature pieces and cements his reputation as a fashion innovator.
  
  He opens his first womenswear boutique, Eve, at 118, rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris.

  

• 1957

  Cardin travels to Japan, becoming the first couturier to explore that market. During his visit, he taught three-dimensional cutting at the Bunka Fukuso School of Design.
  
  To complement his Eve boutique, Cardin opens his first menswear boutique, called Adam.

• 1958

  Receives the “Young Designers” award in Boston, USA.

• 1959

  Presents one of the first women's ready-to-wear collections by a major designer at the Printemps department store, further establishing his influence in the fashion world.

• 1960

  Cardin launches his first men's collection called “Cylindre,” marking a significant expansion into menswear. His models were all students at the University of Paris.

• 1961

  Creates the men's ready-to-wear department, solidifying his status as a pioneer in ready-to-wear.

• 1963

  The Beatles change their style on the advice of their manager and wear an iconic Pierre Cardin suit.
  
  Creates the women's ready-to-wear department.

  

• 1966

  Introduces his first children's collection, demonstrating his versatility and commitment to expanding the brand's reach.
  
  Pakistan International Airlines introduces uniforms designed by him.

• 1968

  Introduces the “Cardin” heat-molded fabric in his “mod chic” line and opens a children's boutique at 8, rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré.
  
  First licensing agreement outside fashion for porcelain tableware and begins to design furniture.

  

• 1970

  Inspired by space exploration, Cardin visits NASA and tries on Buzz Aldrin's spacesuit. He designs futuristic clothing that embodies the space age aesthetic, including stark tunics and vinyl outfits.

• 1971

  Redesigns the Barong Tagalog, a national costume of the Philippines.

• 1972

  Launches his first men's fragrance “Pour Monsieur.”

  

• 1973

  Cardin receives the “Basilica Palladiana”, a prize awarded each year to a successful Venetian.

• 1974

  He becomes the first couturier to appear on the cover of Time magazine in recognition of his influence on world fashion.

• 1975

  Opens his first furniture boutique.

• 1977

  Cardin receives the prestigious Dé d'Or award from French Haute Couture for the first time.

• 1978

  Awarded the “Prestige Tourism” certificate for his contribution to the development of French tourism.

• 1979

  Wins the prestigious French Haute Couture Dé d'Or award for the second time and becomes the first Western designer to present a fashion show in China since the Cultural Revolution, demonstrating his commitment to international fashion diplomacy.
  
  Maxim's flower boutique opens in Paris.

• 1980

  Showed his work of 30 years by opening retrospective exhibition at “Metropolitan Museum of Art” in New York.

• 1981

  Cardin acquires the famous restaurant Maxim's de Paris, further expanding his brand into hospitality and culinary arts.
  
  Launches his first women's fragrance “Choc”.

  

• 1983

  Receives the French Haute Couture Dé d'Or award for the third time.

• 1985

  A line of Pierre Cadrin dolls is launches.

• 1987

  He is named Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.

• 1991

  He is made an Officer of the Legion of Honor by France and appointed Goodwill Ambassador for UNESCO, promoting cultural understanding through fashion. He also designs jewelry for the UNESCO Chernobyl program.
  
  Cardin is awarded the Gold and Silver Star of the Japanese Order of the Sacred Treasure, Japan's highest honor.

• 1992

  Cardin is elected a member of the Academy of Fine Arts at the Institut de France, becoming the first designer to be installed under its dome.

• 2000

  He presents a retrospective collection celebrating his 50 years in fashion at Espace Pierre Cardin in Paris.

• 2007

  Cardin receives the “CFDA” fashion award in New-York.

  

• 2011-2018

  During these years, Cardin organizes several fashion shows, including one on an aircraft carrier in Tianjin and another at the Villa Medici in Rome. He also celebrates important anniversaries with retrospectives around the world.

• 2020

  In February, his star is added to the Palm Springs Walk of Stars.
  
  In December, Pierre Cardin dies at the age of 98 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France.