Pierre Cardin was born in Italy in 1922 and moved to France as a child. He trained as a tailor before working for Elsa Schiaparelli and Christian Dior, where he contributed to the development of Dior's New Look. He established his own fashion house in Paris in 1950 and presented his first women's haute couture collection in 1953. His Bubble Dress of 1954, with its rounded skirt gathered at the hem, was an early example of his interest in creating shapes that departed from the natural outline of the body. In 1959, Cardin became one of the first established Parisian couturiers to present a ready-to-wear collection at a department store, Printemps, a decision that challenged the conventions of French haute couture.
Cardin became one of the leading figures of Space Age fashion during the 1960s. His designs featured geometric shapes, circular cut-outs, oversized collars and unconventional sleeves, often using materials such as vinyl, synthetic fabrics and moulded wool. His Cosmos collection of 1964 introduced futuristic clothing for men and women, anticipating the growing interest in unisex fashion. Cardin also developed an extensive international licensing business, bringing his name to accessories, furniture, fragrances and other products. He continued designing until his death in 2020, aged 98. The house is now led by his great-nephew Rodrigo Basilicati-Cardin, who became artistic director in 2020.
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