Pierre Cardin

Although Pierre Cardin grew up in the fashion world, he has gained a reputation as an innovative designer and businessman. His design house has pioneered both design techniques and business strategies since it was founded in 1950, and he continues to be known for eclectic and unusual designs. Cardin apprenticed with a tailor during his teenage years, but his career in fashion took off when he moved to Paris in 1945. There, he worked for several famous design houses, including Christian Dior. After four years with Dior, he founded his own company, where he garnered quick international success with his iconic bubble dresses. In 1959, he created controversy by being one of the few haute couture designers to create a ready-to-wear line. At the time, most designers only worked for private clients. His women’s wear line was carried by Printemps, a department store, and was followed in 1960 by a similar line of men’s clothing. Cardin was one of the first designers to begin visibly incorporating his logo into his designs, a practice that rapidly gained popularity with other designers and with consumers. His interest in geometric, angular designs that was first seen in his bubble dresses continued to inform his designs as he branched out into creating furniture, jewelry and interior design. Cardin developed his first perfume in 1972 with Pierre Cardin Pour Monsieur, a classic men’s cologne. In the decades since, he has created over 40 perfumes for both men and women.