Pierre Cardin Dies At 98: Why Jean-Paul Gautier, Naomi Campbell And Kenzo Takada Call Him A Genius
Written by Cassell Ferere (originally publish Sept. 14 2020)
"There's no one on the planet who's not going to recognize that name. I know, it's an exaggeration - but it's not far from the truth." - Amy Fine Collins, Vanity Fair.
A 97-minute film based on the 97* years of Pierre Cardin (*deceased Dec. 29. 2020, 98 years old), House Of Cardin travels through the life of the legendary fashion designer and dresses you in the tailoring and couture of the time. Modernity and geometry are what carry your eyes from collection to collection, era to era, as well as from icon to icon.
Naomi Campbell in Pierre Cardin for Target Dress, Photo courtesy of the DDA Group
Pierre Cardin, known for dressing everyone from music artist Dionne Warwick to the Beatles, and from Japanese model Hiroko Matsumoto to British supermodel Naomi Campbell, has been at the forefront of the change that fashion is constantly experiencing.
A Young Pierre Cardin, Photo courtesy of the DDA Group
House Of Cardin is the story and life of a man who knew no boundaries. Born in Italy and fleeing to France at a young age during one World War and then traveled to Paris during another World War, the film shows how Cardin made his way through a path less-traveled.
Self-taught in fashion tailoring, he displays determination and expertise, enough to be hired by Christian Dior at an early age. And having a vision of the future he later went on to hire Jean-Paul Gautier at the start of his career in a similar fashion.
Pierre Cardin, Photo courtesy of the DDA Group
Directed and produced by P. David Ebersole and Todd Hughes, Pierre Cardin partakes in an unfiltered interview in this documentary and is supported by the stories of those who have worked with him and friends who can remember most vividly. Putting women of color on the runway and eliminating the women's shape in fashion designing, Cardin's chic appeal was what made him memorable, inspiring the likes of designers like Kenzo Takada on a visit to Japan.
Some moments are shared between associates that capture attention and generate a tear for the passion that Cardin lived and created with.
Cardin Collection, Photo courtesy of the DDA Group
The moments are high strung throughout this documentary film, celebrating Cardin's career as an innovator, genius, enigma, futurist, architect, businessman, feminist, "father" to apprentices, and to some, a "sell-out." There are also low points that Cardin had famously lived through, where his career and name were on the line for everything he created. Ultimately, Cardin and his name still live today, and how Pierre Cardin became a household name innovating the most lucrative move in fashion - licensing, he maintained his global trademark brand.
Pierre Cardin, Photo courtesy of the DDA Group
To be released this August of 2020, House Of Cardin is the fashion fantasy that a fashion student seeks to get inspiration for their journey into the seams of fashion.
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