While Pierre Cardin enjoyed great success in a range of fields, most notably furniture, he is best known for creating groundbreaking fashion designs from the 1950s onward. The French designer’s attention-getting aesthetic, along with his talent for self-promotion, made him a household name on several continents, and his mid-century dresses, jackets, gowns and skirts were modern, flattering and no less than transformative.
Cardin was born in a village near Venice, Italy, and raised in central France. Always interested in fashion, he left home at age 17 to train with a Vichy tailor. After the end of World War II, Cardin moved to Paris and worked for a succession of couture houses that included Paquin and Schiaparelli, before taking a job with Christian Dior in 1946, where he helped conceive the legendary New Look collection of 1947. When Cardin left to open his own salon, in 1950, Dior sent flowers and referred clients to his young protégé.
The designer quickly won attention for his novel style. The first Pierre Cardin couture collection debuted in 1952, and his futuristic looks were catnip for the free-spending consumers of the postwar years. Unlike Dior’s New Look, which featured reams of fabric and 19-inch waists enforced by wire corsets, Cardin’s clothes de-emphasized a woman’s curves; his breakthrough pieces like the Bubble dress of 1954 had, instead, a sculptural quality.
Cardin became an international celebrity with his Bubble dress, and the business expanded rapidly, attracting clients like Jacqueline Kennedy, Mia Farrow, Lauren Bacall and Jeanne Moreau. Perhaps his most significant achievement was introducing ready-to-wear fashion, a radical concept that would ultimately be adopted by every other high-fashion house. He was also a pioneer in marketing to Japan, China and the countries behind the Iron Curtain.
The Soviet Union’s launch of the satellite Sputnik in 1957 kicked off the space race. Soon after, fashion designers adopted styles worn by astronauts and drew further inspiration from science fiction. In the swinging 1960s, Cardin’s Space Age design led an international pack of fashion progressives influenced by the Mod movement including Paco Rabanne, André Courrèges, Mary Quant and Rudi Gernreich, that changed the shape of the industry.
Cardin introduced bright tunic dresses and shifts, marketed as the Space Age look and accessorized with vinyl hats and visors. His work was architectural, streamlined and minimalist: A-line shapes with keyhole necklines and bold geometric appliques. In addition to his Bubble dress, the designer became known for his Target and Car Wash dresses as well as his Cosmocorps unisex bodysuits and jumpers. Cardin innovated constantly, using new materials like heat-molded Cardine (his own invention) and creating glittery evening wear and garments that incorporated LED lights. His omnipresent logo — a swirling black P that cleverly created a white C in the negative space around it — was a commercial touch that horrified fashion’s stuffed shirts.
In the 1970s Cardin expanded his design work into furniture, jewelry and watches as well as automobiles. Later, licensing agreements would put Cardin’s name on goods ranging from perfume to sunglasses.
Cardin has been the subject of several books and exhibitions at major museums, including New York’s Brooklyn Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, London’s Victoria and Albert, and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
Find vintage Pierre Cardin dresses, scarves, handbags and other clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
Vintage Dark Tortoise Oversized Rectangular 1970'S France Sunglasses
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Vintage Dark Tortoise Rectangular Frame With Solid Grey Lenses. This Beauty Has Visible Sign Of Wear On Them Hardly Noticeable While Wearing. A Sought After Item Not To Miss Out!...
Pierre Cardin Black Rayon Cocktail Dress, Circa 1960s
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pierre Cardin, three- tiered, baby-doll crepe day dress. MEASUREMENTS: Bust 32" Waist 34" Hips 36" Length from shoulder to hem is 37 "
A Pierre Cardin Skirt in Printed Silk Crepe Circa 1980
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 1975/1980 France Long skirt by Pierre Cardin Paris Circa 1980. Silk crepe printed in tones of green and blue colors with patterns of geometric lines and circles of Modernist ta...
Pierre Cardin Whimsical Shades of Ruby Red Striped Silk Scarf
By Pierre Cardin
Located in New York, NY
Pierre Cardin whimsical silk scarf in shades of ruby red striped scarf accented with hand-rolled edges, measures 30 inches by 30 inches. Made in France.
Vintage Pierre Cardin Paris silk tie in burgundy, original box
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Milano, IT
This vintage Pierre Cardin Paris tie is crafted in luxurious silk and showcases a deep burgundy base enhanced by an intricate white geometric dot pattern arranged in a diamond grid. ...
Pierre Cardin Red Borders "Array of Stripes" Silk Scarf
By Pierre Cardin
Located in New York, NY
Pierre Cardin silk scarf with red borders surrounding "Array of Stripes" center, measures 11 inches by 11 inches. Rolled edges and made...
Pierre Cardin Navy Polka Dot Silk Handkerchief
By Pierre Cardin
Located in New York, NY
Pierre Cardin navy polka dot silk handkerchief is accented with hand-rolled red edges. This handkerchief measures 18" x 18" and made in Italy.
Pierre Cardin Multi-Colored Multi-Print Fully-Lined Silk Skirt
By Pierre Cardin
Located in New York, NY
Pierre Cardin multi-colored multi-print fully lined silk skirt is detailed with a slightly curved waistband. Waistband measures 2" in width and measures 26 1/2" in circumference. ...
New Vintage Rare Pierre Cardin Brown Solid Lens 1960's sunglasses
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Baleares, Baleares
New vintage futuristic Pierre Cardinrectangular frame sporting a beautiful pair of solid brown lenses. The temples on this pair have oxidation on the inside turned into color green, ...
$571Sale Price|25% Off
Pierre Cardin New Old Stock Blue Satin Heels
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Amsterdam, NL
New in box, old stock, rare Pierre Cardin platform heels The material is satin with silver color decorative stones Its in excellent condition Comes with the original box size is EU 4...
New Vintage Rare Pierre Cardin 518 Dark Orange Oversized 1960's sunglasses
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Baleares, Baleares
New vintage futuristic Pierre Cardin oversized dark orange frame sporting a beautiful pair of medium orange lenses. This pair have minor wear on them due to to nearly 60 years of sto...
Pierre Cardin Purple Studded Dress
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Introducing the Pierre Cardin Purple Studded Dress, a timeless and bold statement piece that exudes modern elegance with a vintage-inspired twist. This cl...
Pierre Cardin Lavender Studded Dress
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Introducing the Pierre Cardin Lavender Studded Dress, a vibrant and bold statement piece that exudes modern elegance with a vintage-inspired twist. This ...
Vintage Emerson Fittipaldi Red Rectangular 70'S Collector France Sunglasses
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Ultra Rare And Seldom Piece. Vintage Emerson Fittipaldi Red Rectangular Frame With Brown Lenses. This Beauty Has Sign Of Wear On Them Due To Nearly 60 Years Of Storage. A Sought A...
Pierre Cardin Black Belt W/ Stainless Steel Mid-Century Abstract Motif Buckle
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pierre Cardin Black Belt W/ Silver Front Buckle. In excellent condition Measurements: Longest length - 32.6 inches Shortest length - 28.7 inches Width - 2 inches
Vintage May Perforated Side Cups 1970'S Usa Made Sunglasses
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Vintage May Perforated Sunglasses With Side Cups. This Beauty Has Visible Sign Of Wear On Them Hardly Noticeable While Wearing. A Sought After Item Not To Miss Out! Measurements...
Vintage Red Pierre Cardin 1960s Car Wash Dress
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Pierre Cardin Red Car Wash Maxi Dress draws inspiration from the avant-garde design ethos that defined the Pierre Cardin brand during the 1960s and 1970s. Known for breaking trad...
Pierre Cardin Vintage Blue Cotton Blazer
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Milano, IT
Glamorous vintage blazer designed by Pierre Cardin in the 1980s, made in France. ORIGINAL LABEL. The blazer is completely made of dark blue cotton, with long, wide sleeves that allow...
New Vintage Zollitsch MOD 217 COL 304 Robust Frame Brown Lens 1970 Sunglasses
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Baleares, Baleares
New vintage Zollitsch 217 Col 304 robust oversized frame. Spotless light grey lenses. This pair have slight wear on them due to to nearly 40 years of storage. FRONT : 15 CM LENS H...
New Vintage Zollitsch 249 420 Robust Oversized Frame Brown Lens 1970 Sunglasses
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Baleares, Baleares
New vintage Zollitsch 249 420 tortoise robust oversized frame. Spotless brown gradient lenses. This pair have slight wear on them due to to nearly 40 years of storage. FRONT : 14.5...
New Vintage Pierre Cardin Dark Blue Oversized CAVALIER 1970's sunglasses
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Baleares, Baleares
New vintage Pierre Cardin oversized dark blue frame sporting a beautiful pair of gradient blue lenses. This pair have minor wear on them due to to nearly 70 years of storage and some...
New Vintage Rare Pierre Cardin C 22 Light Tortoise RX 1960's sunglasses
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Baleares, Baleares
New vintage futuristic Pierre Cardin rectangular light tortoise frame perfect for any prescription lenses. This pair have slight wear on them due to...
New Vintage Zollitsch 249 418 Robust Oversized Frame Brown Lens 1970 Sunglasses
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Baleares, Baleares
New vintage Zollitsch 249 418 tortoise robust oversized frame. Spotless brown gradient lenses. This pair have slight wear on them due to to nearly 40 years of storage. FRONT : 14 ...
New Vintage Zollitsch 249 418 Robust Oversized Frame Brown Lens 1970 Sunglasses
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Baleares, Baleares
New vintage Zollitsch 249 418 tortoise robust oversized frame. Spotless solid brown lenses. This pair have slight wear on them due to to nearly 40 years of storage. FRONT : 14 CM ...
Vintage PIERRE CARDIN Futuristic Green Black Contrast Jacket
By Pierre Cardin Paris, Pierre Cardin
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage PIERRE CARDIN Futuristic Green Black Contrast Jacket From 1997-1998 Autumn/ Winter Collection Measurements taken laid flat, double bust and waist: Shoulder: 16.53 inches (42...