Pierre Cardin, born Pietro Costante Cardini, the iconic designer behind the eponymous fashion house, passed away on Tuesday, December 29, 2020, at the age of 98.
A profound loss for French fashion, Pierre Cardin's family confirmed his death to AFP. The legendary couturier lived a remarkable life filled with influential encounters and groundbreaking innovations.
Born on July 2, 1922, in San Biagio di Callalta, Italy, as the youngest of six children, Cardin's family relocated to France early in his life. His passion for fashion led him to Paris in 1945, where he apprenticed with renowned houses like Jeanne Paquin and Elsa Schiaparelli.
In 1946, Cardin joined Christian Dior's newly established house. By 1950, he acquired the Pascaud atelier, specializing in theatrical costumes, and continued creating for films such as Jean Delannoy's La Princesse de Clèves (1961). He unveiled his debut collection in 1953 and opened his first Paris boutique the following year.
Cardin defined his signature aesthetic with bold geometric forms—circles, triangles—and innovative blends of traditional and synthetic fabrics, as noted on the official Pierre Cardin website.
"The Japan of the 1960s, China of the 1970s, extraordinary encounters, and evolving social, cultural, and industrial landscapes served as endless inspirations," he reflected. In 1992, he was elected to the Académie des Beaux-Arts as a free member.
Beyond couture, Cardin expanded his brand into jewelry, perfumes, linens, umbrellas, pens, and more. In 1981, he acquired Maxim's restaurant in Paris, later opening an Art Nouveau museum on its upper floors. From 1970 to 2016, he curated the Espace Pierre Cardin, hosting performances and exhibitions.
On a personal note, he shared years with actress Jeanne Moreau while openly embracing his homosexuality. Visionary, versatile, and endlessly creative, Pierre Cardin endures as one of the 20th and early 21st centuries' greatest couturiers.
