The following biography contains information on Fashion Designer Pierre Cardin.

BIOGRAPHY
Experimental, not always practical.

In 1959, he was expelled from the Chambre Syndicale for launching a ready-to-wear collection for the Printemps department store as the first couturier in Paris, but was soon reinstated. However, he resigned from the Chambre Syndicale in 1966 and now shows his collections in his own venue, the Espace Cardin (opened 1971) in Paris, formerly the The‰tre des Ambassadeurs, near the American Embassy. The Espace Cardin is also used to promote new artistic talents, like theater ensembles, musicians, etc.

Fashion Designer Pierre Cardin has an avant-garde style. He likes geometric shapes and motifs, and often ignors the female form. He introduced the "bubble dress" in 1954. His unisex fashions were often experimental, and not always practical. His fellow designer, Andre Oliver, who joined him in 1971 and assumed responsibility for the haute couture collections in 1987, died in 1993.

Cardin was the first couturier to turn to Japan as a high fashion market when he travelled there in 1959.

Cardin purchased Maxim's restaurants in 1981 and soon opened branches in New York, London, and Beijing (1983). A chain of Maxim's Hotels are now included in the assets. Cardin has also licenced a wide range of food products under that name.

Like many other designers today, Cardin decided in 1994 to show his collection only to a small circle of selected clients and journalists.

He was a member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture et du Pret-a-Porter and of the Maison du Haute Couture from 1953 to 1993.
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Selected Awards

* Pierre Cardin is a member of the Academie Francaise (1992) and the Academie des Beaux Arts.
* Honorary Ambassador of UNESCO (1991)
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Economic Data
Ownership
The company is entirely owned by Pierre Cardin. Cardin boasts to never have borrowed a Franc from a bank. He seeks to finance his venture by drawing from his own assets.

Performance
Sales of $130 million were achieved in 1992, of which $90 million were achieved with fashion. About 40% of fashion sales are said to be made with men's wear. Total turnover of products with the label Pierre Cardin are estimated at around $1 billion.

Licenses
Pierre Cardin has licensed over 840 products in 98 countries, mostly for fashion, food and furniture goods. Interestingly, Cardin avoids advertisement in a classical sense.
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Address
Haute Couture
14, place Francois-1er, 8e
75008 Paris, France
Tel.: (+1) 45.63.29.13 Pret-a-Porter,
Licensing
82, rue du Faubourg-St. Honore, 8e
75008 Paris, France
Tel.: (+1) 42.65.26.88
Fax.: (+1) 42.66.04.51 Atelier
27, ave de Marigny, 8e
75008 Paris, France
Tel.: (+1) 42.66.92.25
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Selected Boutiques
Paris Boutique
59, rue du Faubourg-St. Honore, 8e.
75008 Paris, France
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Editorial provided by Jost Krebs

COMPANY PROFILE
Pierre Cardin

JOB TITLES
Designer

DISCLAIMER
Information in this report relies on information provided by individual designers, public relations agencies and other public sources. Infomat can accept no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such information or for loss or damage caused by any use thereof.

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