Pierre Cardo

Pierre Cardin (born Pietro Cardin on July 2, 1922, near Treviso, Italy – December 29, 2020, Neuilly-sur-Seine, France) was a French-Italian fashion designer. He was known for his avant-garde style and his Space Age designs.

Cardin emigrated to France in 1945 and studied architecture before working for the fashion house Paquin and later for Christian Dior. He founded his own fashion house in 1950.

Cardin was an innovator in fashion design. He was one of the first designers to use geometric shapes and synthetic fabrics in his designs. He also popularized the "bubble dress" in the late 1950s. His designs often reflected an interest in futuristic themes and technological advancements.

Beyond clothing, Cardin expanded his brand into a wide range of licensed products, including accessories, furniture, fragrances, and even restaurants. This strategy, while commercially successful, eventually diluted the exclusivity of the Pierre Cardin brand.

Cardin was also known for his business acumen. He was one of the first designers to license his name to other companies, and he was also one of the first Western designers to market his products in Asia, particularly in Japan and China. He acquired the Maxim's restaurant chain in 1981 and expanded it internationally.

Pierre Cardin received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including being named a Chevalier of the Légion d'Honneur in France. His work is considered significant in the history of 20th-century fashion.