M, our special correspondent, gives us a look at the man and the legend, Pierre Cardin. It is rare to meet a man without equal but Pierre Cardin is such a man. He welcomed a group of journalists from the Association de la Presse Etrangère with humility, kindness and generosity, that, in spite of his advanced age of 92 and limited time for work, made me feel as if we had all the time in the world.
M, our special correspondent, gives us a look at the man and the legend, Pierre Cardin.
It is rare to meet a man without equal but Pierre Cardin is such a man. He welcomed a group of journalists from the Association de la Presse Etrangère with humility, kindness and generosity, that, in spite of his advanced age of 92 and limited time for work, made me feel as if we had all the time in the world.
His museum, Past-Present-Future, occupies 1,000 square meters on the rue Saint Merri. Two Hundred examples of Haute Couture by the inventor of pret-à-porter, representing sixty years of work, dating from his first collection in 1947 and including furniture and accessories, were transferred from suburban Saint-Ouen to this new space in the Marais.
In 1946 Pierre Cardin began to work with Christian Dior and by 1950 he had founded his own company that also designed masks and costumes for the theatre including Cocteau’s masterpiece, “Beauty and the Beast.” In 1952 his red coat with deep pleats (a machine had to be invented to make it) sold 200,000 copies worldwide.
In 1953 he presented his first Ladies collection, His bubble dress of 1954 was a huge success worldwide and was followed by the opening of his first boutique, EVE, at 118 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, steps away from the Hotel Bristol.
He had been thinking of a menswear and began with colorful ties and printed shirts line. ADAM for men opened in 1957. A children’s boutique was opened at 8 rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré in 1967.
Although he has been around the world 20 times he claims to have not been influenced by any particular country–all 900 of his products have sprung from his imagination. What drives him today? Going to his atelier in the morning where he employs four stylists. Next door at his boutique, EVOLUTION, you will find live models wearing his creations.
His most loyal clients today-AMERICAN WOMEN
His latest project: Korea, where travels between the north and the south like an Ambassador.
Musée Pierre Cardin
5 rue Saint-Merri • Paris 75004
Wednesday-Friday 11AM-6PM, Saturday & Sunday 1PM-6PM
