French Fashion Icon Pierre Cardin Passes Away at 98 (Comprehensive)

▲Pierre Cardin [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Pierre Cardin, a giant in the French fashion world, passed away on the 29th (local time) at the age of 98.

On the same day, local media such as Le Monde reported that Pierre Cardin peacefully passed away in a hospital in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, in the morning.

The bereaved family said, "We proudly remember Pierre Cardin's persistent ambition and boldness throughout his life," adding, "He left a unique artistic legacy in France and the world that transcended centuries."

Born in Italy in 1922 as the youngest of seven siblings, Pierre Cardin moved to France with his parents when he was two years old.

He first held a needle and thread as a tailor at the age of 14, and in 1944, he moved to Paris, the city of fashion, where he began making garments under a designer.

At that time, he created costumes for director Jean Cocteau's film "Beauty and the Beast," and through Cocteau's introduction, he met Christian Dior and became Dior's first tailor in 1947.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In 1950, he launched his own brand, and in 1954, he gained fame by presenting the "Bubble Dress," which featured a rounded, puffed hip design. In 1959, he became the first designer to showcase a ready-to-wear collection at the Printemps department store.

During the 1960s, he released hundreds of products bearing his name, including shirts, perfumes, and sunglasses, holding over 1,000 licenses.

In 1979, he became the first Westerner to hold a fashion show at the Forbidden City in Beijing, China, and in 1991, he was recorded as the first designer to hold a fashion show at Red Square in Moscow, Russia.

In a 2010 interview with AFP, Pierre Cardin expressed confidence, saying, "I probably cover the whole world except North Korea, and if I choose, I could go there too."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He remained active even in his later years, holding a work presentation at the age of 90 in July 2012.

At the comeback presentation, he said, "I still have the energy for tomorrow," adding, "I was the youngest when I started this work, and now I am the oldest but still working in this field."

The fashion industry is mourning the passing of the master.

Jean-Paul Gaultier, who debuted as a designer after working under Pierre Cardin, posted on Twitter, "Thank you for opening the door to fashion for me and helping me realize my dream," paying tribute to Pierre Cardin.

Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, who leads the Italian fashion brand Benetton, recalled Pierre Cardin as "a very extraordinary person who set no boundaries between fashion, design, and architecture."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.