ADVERTISEMENT

LifestyleStyle

Legendary Fashion Designer Pierre Cardin Dies Aged 98

Pierre Cardin, a French legendary designer who gained fame due to his futuristic and stylish designs, had died at the age of 98.

Pierre Cardin, considered as a fashion giant, helped revolutionize fashion in the 1950s and 60s.

His career spanned more than 70 years, and he also helped usher in the post-war “golden age” couture with his modern style. Pierre Cardin has also broken ground by bringing designer styles to the masses with some of the first ready-to-wear collections.

He was also a business pioneer and licensed his name for a wide range of products.

Pierre Cardin’s family told the AFP news agency that the iconic designer died in hospital in Neuilly, near Paris. They said in a statement: “It is a day of great sadness for all our family. Pierre Cardin is no more. We are all proud of his tenacious ambition and the daring he has shown throughout his life.”

His official Instagram account posted one of Pierre Cardin’s quotes after the news of his death was announced.

It said: “I have always worked in my own style, which is different from all others. It was always my intention to be different because that is the only way to last.”

Fellow French designer Jean-Paul Gaultier, as a part of the fashion world tribute to Pierre Cardin, thanked him for opening the doors to fashion and for making his dream possible. Besides, Elle magazine editor-in-chief and Project Runway judged Nina Garcia said that Cardin’s designs “shows how fashion has the power to design the future”.

 “His curiosity, his vision and his love for the art of fashion helped shape the dreams of many women during the second half of the 20th Century,” she wrote.

“Even today his designs are truly modern, with silhouettes and fabrics that have inspired many contemporary designers,” she added.

According to Benetton artistic director Jean Charles de Castelbajac, Cardin was a very extraordinary man who did not set border between fashion, architecture or design. He told the AFP that Cardin’s inspiration boosted his imagination.

Through his Twitter account, photographer and former model Nigel Barker posted: “We have lost a legend… Fashion Designer Pierre Cardin who revolutionized the industry with his futuristic designs and think outside of the box business approach has passed away today.”

Pierre Cardin was born in Italy in 1922 but moved to France when he was a child. Paris saw him grow as a fashion professional, as he worked for firms like Christian Dior -for whom he helped create the New Look collection in 1947.

In 1950, he set up his own fashion company.

Cardin also gained recognition with visionary design like the iconic bubble dress in 1954 and his Space Age collection ten years later. At the end of the 50s, he launched his first ready-to-wear collection for the Printemps department store.

Pop stars and actors, including the Beatles and Lauren Bacall, were seen wearing Cardin’s designs.

However, his cutting-edge creations were also within the reach of ordinary customers. He also had a savvy business sense that let him recognize the appeal of the name on the label and allowed his to be used on goods ranging from sunglasses to perfume, pens, and food.

Cardin also worked to expand his business globally, presenting a collection in Communist China in 1979 and Moscow’s Red Square in 1991.