Pierre Cardin's Influence on 1960s Fashion

Pierre Cardin's career in fashion began before World War II and has extended through the decades since. Although he took a brief hiatus to serve his country during that war, he returned to the textile and garment industry full time in the mid 1940's. By the time 1950 rolled around, he had worked for 5 years as the head of the cutting floor workrooms at Christian Dior and was well on his way to launching his own first collection. Pierre Cardin is the owner of over five hundred patents in fashion, architecture and other industries, and is known to never have borrowed money from a bank.

Thanks to Pierre Cardin's keen business sense and edgy design outlooks, he became known as one of the best French designers throughout the world by 1960 and ever since. His characteristic geometric shape patterns shaped a decade of sixties hipster fashion, and lent a futuristic feel to his ensemble pieces. Pierre Cardin was also a revolutionary of the infamous mini skirt, and often teamed them with tights (pantyhose) in bright colours and prints. During this time period, Cardin's designs were sold widely throughout United Kingdom and United States upscale department stores.

Pierre Cardin's fashion visions of the late 1950's and through the 1960's kept with the times. His widespread use of new technology and fabrics like silver vinyl reflected the space race between the United States and the USSR. He also created large zippers and helmet-like headpieces, which were very reminiscent of astronaut gear. He even created accessory jewellery pieces, made out of hammered metal and diamonds.

Pierre Cardin was also the fashion designer for the 1960's action and adventure television program "The Avengers." Almost as if he knew of the dramatic lifestyle changes to come from the 1950's to the 1960's, he created a ready to wear collection for men in 1959, and another for women a few years later. It was around that time that he left haute couture fashion for more mainstream stylings and offerings that he could sell to a larger public.

In the mid-60s, Pierre Cardin even launched a children's line. Although it wasn't nearly as risque and futuristic as his other collections, it was still met with high reviews. Pierre Cardin is truly a fashion icon.