A 177-foot-high replica of an Ariane 5 rocket stood at the centre of a runway set up on the tarmac of the Musée national de l’air et de l’espace next to Le Bourget airport on the outskirts of Paris. All around, was a tribute to Pierre Cardin, the late Franco-Italian designer who brought space into fashion and fashion into the future.
The house of Pierre Cardin marked the first anniversary of its founder's passing with a fashion show in front of an Ariane 5 rocket
Initially scheduled for December 29, 2021, exactly one year after the Parisian couturier’s passing, the fashion house paid tribute to Pierre Cardin on the last day of the Haute Couture shows, unveiling the ‘Cosmocorps 3022’ collection.
The decorations were out of this world, including giant screens on the runway and real planes as a part of the museum’s collection. The show included nearly 200 designs from the archives and the brand new pieces by the house’s current team, inspired by the designer’s legacy.
Catching the references to the Space Age that the couturier adored in the 1960s, Istituto Marangoni students were honoured to collaborate with historical brand Pierre Cardin as both models and dressers.
A moment from Pierre Cardin tribute show for the fashion house's late founder
We asked some participants about their experiences, and they told us about the magic that happened behind the scenes. Rodrigo Basilicati-Cardin, the founder’s great-nephew who leads the brand’s design team, can rest assured that the designer’s legacy will continue to inspire the new generations.
Thea Abboud, a first-year student in the Fashion Design programme
Were you familiar with the brand before? What does Pierre Cardin's legacy represent to you?
I knew Pierre Cardin's work long before this internship: his vision, avant-garde style and geometric shapes often inspired me when conceiving a new design or sketching.
How would you describe your experience working on this tribute show?
It was a very fulfilling one. It helped me sharpen my knowledge of the show process and everything that happens backstage. I not only learned about the different roles and tasks and the sequence of things a show needs, but I also put together a pretty convincing picture of the interaction with the whole team, from the models to the hair and makeup artists and, of course, Pierre Cardin’s key stakeholders.
What was your most and least favourite part of the work?
My favourite part was being able to experience the emotions and action behind the scenes, time management and coordination. My least favourite was the stress and pressure we had to endure to get everything done with precision and perfection.
Did you enjoy your time as a dresser?
I enjoyed it mostly because the model I dressed was very nice to me, and we got along very well. Perhaps the only hard work was getting her dressed and ready quickly.
What did you love most about the show?
I loved watching the finale walk. It felt like a relief, and it was spectacular.
Finale at Pierre Cardin 'Cosmocorps 3022' fashion show
Eléah-May Bourmanne, a student in the Master’s programme in Fashion Promotion, Communication and Digital Media
Were you familiar with the brand before? What does Pierre Cardin's legacy represent to you?
I knew the brand by name, but I had the chance to learn more about it from the fashion show. I realised that Pierre Cardin himself is a key part of the brand’s legacy with his vision and creativity.
How would you describe your experience working on this tribute show?
It is hard to compare since I had never worked on a fashion show before. But I greatly appreciated the experience. Everyone was very attentive; you could feel that the organisers really wanted this show to be a tribute to Pierre Cardin through the clothes. Every little detail counted. It was both a warm and a moving show.
What was your most and least favourite part of the work?
I had the chance to work with a model from my own country (Belgian). We got along very well, and I have great memories of it! What I may have liked the least was the ‘non-organisation’ during the fittings, but everything went well at the end of the day.
Did you enjoy your time as a dresser?
Being backstage at a fashion show is a gratifying experience! Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to stress if you organise everything well. The experience is simply inspiring.
What did you love most about the show?
I loved the last part, when all the models walked on stage to show all the looks simultaneously. I think about the moment when the models come back one by one, with stars in their eyes, and everyone is clapping and relieved that the show went well! It’s an incredible experience!
Finale at Pierre Cardin 'Cosmocorps 3022' fashion show
Hugo Trouzet, a second-year student of the BA in Fashion Design
Were you familiar with the brand before? What does Pierre Cardin's legacy represent to you?
I already had a close connection with the brand, as I worked with them as part of my studies during my first semester. Of course, I learned the fascinating story of Mr Cardin at that time. I think of Pierre Cardin as a man who figured out how to break the rules in fashion with the shift from haute couture to ready-to-wear – such a revolutionary act in the 1960s. He was also well known as a visionary, with his Cosmo period and his approach to other cultures, and a global pioneer for the fashion world.
How would you describe your experience working on this tribute show?
It was familiar, emotional and exciting.
What was your most and least favourite part of the work?
The least – the bus journeys.
The most – the moment right after the show was over!
Did you enjoy your time as a model?
As I knew Mr Cardin’s brand and history, I felt proud to wear one of his looks.
What did you love most about the show?
The audience and team applause at the end – everyone was so excited and joyful.
Do you think this experience will be helpful for your future career?
It’s always important to gain experience, especially for us students, no matter the industry in which you work. Experiences shape your identity and who you are, in both professional and private life!
Models on the catwalk at Pierre Cardin tribute show
Elizaveta Ostanina
Editorial team, Paris