Pierre Cardin

The destiny of an extraordinary creator

Born in 1922 in Venice, the one we now call "Monsieur Cardin" actually grew up in France, in Saint-Étienne, from the age of 2. Ambitious and very imaginative, the young man knew very early what he wanted and how to achieve it: he didn't hesitate to move to Paris to learn his trade in fashion, at Paquin, Schiaparelli, and then Christian Dior. In addition to gaining solid experience, he met Jean Cocteau, who would become his most loyal friend and would bring his costume creations to the set of the masterpiece Beauty and the Beast.

Everything happened quickly for the genius creator: sensing the coming era of graphic cuts, innovative materials, and ready-to-wear taking the place of made-to-measure, Pierre Cardin distinguished himself in the 1950s and 1960s as the one who truly brought fashion to the streets. The great Lauren Bacall wore his famous "cardine" dresses, and he continued his ascent to success by drawing inspiration from his travels: fashion shows in Russia, expansion into Asia and the Middle East, meeting with Nelson Mandela, receiving the Legion of Honor...

It was in 1972 that he had the idea to launch his first men's fragrance, which became iconic: Pour Monsieur.

When myth awakens nostalgia

Monsieur Cardin managed to establish his style as the emblem of an era, the symbol of a generation dreaming of futurism and freedom. The muses he chose throughout his flourishing career to embody the exuberance of his house are exactly that image: the intriguing Jeanne Moreau, the exotic Hiroko Matsumoto (the first Japanese woman to become the muse of a French fashion designer!), the assertive and rebellious Maryse Gaspard... women who know what they want, are not afraid, and completely at ease with their time.