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Pierre Cardin, (July 2, 1922 – December 29, 2020) born in Italy and a naturalized Frenchman, studied architecture but worked as a cutter for a tailor. In 1939 he became an apprentice to a tailor in Vichy. After WWII he worked as an assistant; first at Paquin, and then at Schiaparelli, before becoming the head of the workrooms at Christian Dior in 1946. He was at Dior in 1947 and helped develop the “New Look” which made Dior’s fame.

Cardin went out on his own in 1950, starting his own couture house. In 1959 he started a ready-to-wear line; a bold move for a French couturier at the time. Probably the look most associated with Cardin was the “Space Age” collections of the mid 1960s. Starting in 1964, Cardin made some of the most futuristic clothing of the era, with severe A-line mini dresses that featured cut-outs and molded forms, space helmet hats and solid color catsuits. He also designed men’s suits in a style that became associated with the Beatles.

Starting in the late 1960s, Cardin began licensing his name. At one time there were over 800 different licenses. Unfortunately this has worked to eclipse the innovative work he did in the 1960s. The vintage collector will likely find Cardin designs from the 1950s, 1960s, and very early 1970s to be most desirable, as these reflect Cardin’s work more closely than the later licensed products.

“The clothing I prefer are those I invent for a life that doesn’t yet exist – the world of tomorrow!” Pierre Cardin

Written by pastperfectvintage.com

See vintage Pierre Cardin from VFG members on Etsy (paid link)


from a 1958 silk bubble skirt dress - Courtesy of PoppysVintage Clothing

from a 1958 silk bubble skirt dress

Courtesy of PoppysVintage Clothing

from a 1958/1960 suit - Courtesy of kickshawproductions

from a 1958/1960 suit

Courtesy of kickshawproductions

from a 1960s mini dress - Courtesy of Cathy Gordon

from a 1960s mini dress

Courtesy of Cathy Gordon

from a 1960s maxi dress - Courtesy of chezmov

from a 1960s maxi dress

Courtesy of chezmov

from a 1960s men's fedora hat - Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

from a 1960s men’s fedora hat

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

from a mid 1960s dress - Courtesy of poppysvintagecloset

from a mid 1960s dress

Courtesy of poppysvintagecloset

from a mid 1960s coat-cape - Courtesy of Ruth Baza

from a mid 1960s coat-cape

Courtesy of Ruth Baza

from a mid 1960s suit - Courtesy of emmapeelpants

from a mid 1960s suit

Courtesy of emmapeelpants

from a late-1960s dress - Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a late-1960s dress

Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a late-1960s men’s jacket - Courtesy of novafashions

from a late-1960s men’s jacket

Courtesy of novafashions

from a late-1960s pantsuit - Courtesy of chezmov

from a late-1960s pantsuit

Courtesy of chezmov

from a 1971 Space Age Cape-Dress. Bottom tag with numbers is from runway show. - Courtesy of Annabel Lee

from a 1971 Space Age Cape-Dress. Bottom tag with numbers is from runway show.

Courtesy of Annabel Lee

from an early 1970s blouse - Courtesy of claireshaeffer

from an early 1970s blouse

Courtesy of claireshaeffer

from a 1970s knit dress - Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a 1970s knit dress

Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a 1970s evening dress - Courtesy of Augusta Auctions

from a 1970s evening dress

Courtesy of Augusta Auctions

from a 1970s sweater - Courtesy of MagsRags

from a 1970s sweater

Courtesy of MagsRags

from a 1970s evening dress - Courtesy of Ryerson University Fashion Research Collection

from a 1970s evening dress

Courtesy of Ryerson University Fashion Research Collection

from 1970s men's shoes - Courtesy of themerchantsofvintage

from 1970s men’s shoes

Courtesy of themerchantsofvintage

from a 1970s men's coat - Courtesy of themerchantsofvintage

from a 1970s men’s coat

Courtesy of themerchantsofvintage

from a 1970s necktie - Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a 1970s necktie

Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a 1970s necktie - Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a 1970s necktie

Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a 1970s raincoat - Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

from a 1970s raincoat

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

from a 1970s necktie - Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a 1970s necktie

Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

Lining of a 1970s necktie - Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

Lining of a 1970s necktie

Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a 1970s T-shirt - Courtesy of hollie point vintage

from a 1970s T-shirt

Courtesy of hollie point vintage

from a 1980s men's robe - Courtesy of tbonita style

from a 1980s men’s robe

Courtesy of tbonita style

from a 1980s skirt - Courtesy of ikonicvintage

from a 1980s skirt

Courtesy of ikonicvintage

from a 1980s tweed jacket - Courtesy of EndlessAlley

from a 1980s tweed jacket

Courtesy of EndlessAlley

from a 1980s tie - Courtesy of mags_rags

from a 1980s tie

Courtesy of MagsRags

from a late 1980s wool skirt - Courtesy of dawnlovejoy

from a late 1980s wool skirt

Courtesy of dawnlovejoy

from a mid 1990s ladies pant suit - Courtesy of circavintage

from a mid 1990s ladies pant suit

Courtesy of circavintage

from a 1999 men's jacket - Courtesy of stellarosevintage

from a 1999 men’s jacket

Courtesy of stellarosevintage

from a 1999 men's jacket - Courtesy of stellarosevintage

from a 1999 men’s jacket

Courtesy of stellarosevintage

from a 1999 men's jacket hang tag - Courtesy of stellarosevintage

from a 1999 men’s jacket hang tag

Courtesy of stellarosevintage