French couturier Pietro Costante Cardin, known for avant garde designs and geometric silhouettes, died Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, in Neuilly, west of Paris. France’s Fine Arts Academy confirmed his death through a statement. He was 98.
Born in Venice, Italy, the designer’s family then quickly settled in France when he was 2 years old. In 1945, Cardin arrived in Paris and worked for the likes of designers Jeanne Paquin and Elsa Schiaparelli. Christian Dior hired Cardin as a tailor a year later.
The visionary Cardin founded his company in 1950, and started to design masks and costumes for the theatrical arts. His very first ready-to-wear collection was presented in 1959 at Printemps Department Store in Paris.
"The clothes that I prefer are those I invent for a life that doesn't exist yet—the world of tomorrow," he once said.
Known for his iconic “bubble dresses” and revered as the licensing pioneer in modern day fashion business models, Cardin was considered the last remaining man of the Golden Age of couture.
Rest in power, Monsieur Cardin!
All images from Pierre Cardin's website