Pierre Cardin
Pierre Cardin founded his Paris house in 1950 and became a pioneer of high fashion for men as well as women.
Pierre Cardin (1922–2020) founded his fashion house in Paris in 1950 and introduced the bubble dress in 1954. Britannica credits him as a pioneer in the design of high fashion for men as well as women. His name was later licensed on a very wide range of goods, so a Pierre Cardin label covers everything from couture-era pieces to licensed production; the piece itself, not the name, tells you which.
The house.
Pierre Cardin (1922–2020) founded his fashion house in Paris in 1950 and introduced the bubble dress in 1954. Britannica credits him as a pioneer in the design of high fashion for men as well as women.
His name was later licensed on a very wide range of goods, so a Pierre Cardin label covers everything from couture-era pieces to licensed production; the piece itself, not the name, tells you which.
What the pieces show.
- 01Menswear pioneerOne of the first couturiers to design high fashion for men.
- 02The bubble dressIntroduced in 1954, an early signature of his sculptural cut.
- 03LicensingA name licensed widely, so each piece is judged on its own make.
Read the piece,
not the name.
With a vintage Pierre Cardin piece, read the fabric label first, then the make: matched prints at the seams, finished inside edges and a well-set lining are signs of a garment made with care. Compare flat measurements with a piece that already fits you, since vintage sizing differs from today's. Our Silk Story explains how to judge the cloth.
Pierre Cardin in the archive.
About Pierre Cardin.
What is Pierre Cardin?
Pierre Cardin (1922–2020) founded his fashion house in Paris in 1950 and introduced the bubble dress in 1954. Britannica credits him as a pioneer in the design of high fashion for men as well as women.
Where is Pierre Cardin from?
France (Paris).
When was Pierre Cardin founded?
The house was founded in 1950.
How do I check a pre-owned Pierre Cardin piece before buying?
With a vintage Pierre Cardin piece, read the fabric label first, then the make: matched prints at the seams, finished inside edges and a well-set lining are signs of a garment made with care. Compare flat measurements with a piece that already fits you, since vintage sizing differs from today's.