1970s Pierre Cardin Brown Top Handle Clutch
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Beautiful Pierre Cardin brown skin clutch from the 1970s. Rectangular with gold tone metal hardware and retractable top handle. Small PC logo on le...
While Pierre Cardin enjoyed great success in a range of fields, most notably furniture, he is best known for creating groundbreaking fashion designs from the 1950s onward. The French designer’s attention-getting aesthetic, along with his talent for self-promotion, made him a household name on several continents, and his mid-century dresses, jackets, gowns and skirts were modern, flattering and no less than transformative.
Cardin was born in a village near Venice, Italy, and raised in central France. Always interested in fashion, he left home at age 17 to train with a Vichy tailor. After the end of World War II, Cardin moved to Paris and worked for a succession of couture houses that included Paquin and Schiaparelli, before taking a job with Christian Dior in 1946, where he helped conceive the legendary New Look collection of 1947. When Cardin left to open his own salon, in 1950, Dior sent flowers and referred clients to his young protégé.
The designer quickly won attention for his novel style. The first Pierre Cardin couture collection debuted in 1952, and his futuristic looks were catnip for the free-spending consumers of the postwar years. Unlike Dior’s New Look, which featured reams of fabric and 19-inch waists enforced by wire corsets, Cardin’s clothes de-emphasized a woman’s curves; his breakthrough pieces like the Bubble dress of 1954 had, instead, a sculptural quality.
Cardin became an international celebrity with his Bubble dress, and the business expanded rapidly, attracting clients like Jacqueline Kennedy, Mia Farrow, Lauren Bacall and Jeanne Moreau. Perhaps his most significant achievement was introducing ready-to-wear fashion, a radical concept that would ultimately be adopted by every other high-fashion house. He was also a pioneer in marketing to Japan, China and the countries behind the Iron Curtain.
The Soviet Union’s launch of the satellite Sputnik in 1957 kicked off the space race. Soon after, fashion designers adopted styles worn by astronauts and drew further inspiration from science fiction. In the swinging 1960s, Cardin’s Space Age design led an international pack of fashion progressives influenced by the Mod movement including Paco Rabanne, André Courrèges, Mary Quant and Rudi Gernreich, that changed the shape of the industry.
Cardin introduced bright tunic dresses and shifts, marketed as the Space Age look and accessorized with vinyl hats and visors. His work was architectural, streamlined and minimalist: A-line shapes with keyhole necklines and bold geometric appliques. In addition to his Bubble dress, the designer became known for his Target and Car Wash dresses as well as his Cosmocorps unisex bodysuits and jumpers. Cardin innovated constantly, using new materials like heat-molded Cardine (his own invention) and creating glittery evening wear and garments that incorporated LED lights. His omnipresent logo — a swirling black P that cleverly created a white C in the negative space around it — was a commercial touch that horrified fashion’s stuffed shirts.
In the 1970s Cardin expanded his design work into furniture, jewelry and watches as well as automobiles. Later, licensing agreements would put Cardin’s name on goods ranging from perfume to sunglasses.
Cardin has been the subject of several books and exhibitions at major museums, including New York’s Brooklyn Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, London’s Victoria and Albert, and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
Find vintage Pierre Cardin dresses, scarves, handbags and other clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
1970s Pierre Cardin Brown Top Handle Clutch
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Beautiful Pierre Cardin brown skin clutch from the 1970s. Rectangular with gold tone metal hardware and retractable top handle. Small PC logo on le...
1960's Pierre Cardin Navy Logo Fabric Clutch
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Pierre Cardin clutch from the 1960s. Frame style with gold tone metal frame and clasp. Navy blue jacquard with all over Pierre Cardin logos. Navy ...
Pierre Cardin Silk Clutch Bag
By Pierre Cardin
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Cardin - Silk clutch embroidered with pearls. Gold-plated metal attributes. Additional information: Dimensions: Height: 13 cm, Length: 25 cm, Depth: 3 cm, Handle: 72 cm Conditio...
Pierre Cardin 1970s Monogram Suede Clutch
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Everyone needs a great vintage clutch in their collection! Circa 1970s, this Pierre Cardin dark mocha suede clutch features the recognizable Pierre Cardin monogram...
1960s Pierre Cardin Beige Logo Jacquard Clutch
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Toronto, Ontario
1960's Pierre Cardin logo clutch with detachable white leather handle. In excellent unused condition. Off white fabric body trimmed with white leather. Length 11.75" Width 7.5...
21st Century Never Used Black and White Clutch Bag by Emilio Pucci
By Emilio Pucci
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This is a striking black-and-white geometric-patterned bag by Emilio Pucci, exemplifying modern sophistication and artistic design. Crafted in the 21st century and in never-used cond...
$495
H 3.5 in D 2 in L 6 in
Animal Motif Crystal Clutch In The Style Of Judith Leiber, Great Condition.
Located in Buchanan, MI
Animal Motif Crystal Clutch In The Style Of Judith Leiber Great Condition, No Crystals missing. Silver Strap Inclosed.
Louis Vuitton Pink Cheetah Wild at Heart Neverfull Pochette MM or GM Wristlet 18
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Dix hills, NY
Date Code/Serial Number: RFID Chip Made In: France Measurements: Length: 9.75" Width: .2" Height: 6" OVERALL NEW CONDITION ( 10/10 or N ) Accessories: Dust Bag Signs of Wear: E...
Yves Saint Laurent Velvet Chevron Clutch
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Mayfair, London, London
This unworn YSL clutch in midnight blue velvet stitched in a chevron pattern contrasts beautifully with the gold logo in front. The fabric lined interior comes with flap pocket. The ...
$9,162
H 6.11 in W 0.99 in L 9.38 in
Exceptional Hermès Vintage Padlock Purse Clutch Bag Shiny Brown Crocodile Ghw
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Absolutely Beautiful Authentic Hermès Bag "Padlock" Purse Very rare ! Asymmetrical cut of the flap for a chic and elegant rendering Made in France Stamp N in a circle (1984) Pu...
$311Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.7 in W 1.19 in L 8.67 in
Loulou de la Falaise Purple Leather Mini Clutch Bag
By Loulou de la Falaise
Located in Paris, FR
Loulou de la Falaise purple leather mini-clutch bag featuring a trapezoidal shape, a front pleated flap, with a snap closure, a mini back double handle, inside black suede leather. ...
GIORGIO ARMANI brown velvet twisted tassel cord trim envelope pouch clutch bag
By Giorgio Armani
Located in Hong Kong, NT
GIORGIO ARMANI brown velvet twisted tassel cord trim envelope pouch clutch bag Reference: AEMA/A00181 Brand: Giorgio Armani Material: Velvet Color: Brown Pattern: Solid Closure: Self...
$57,264
H 9.45 in W 2.72 in L 8.55 in
Exceptional Hermès Handbag Purse Clutch Black Porosus Crocodile Gold Hdw
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Exceptionally Rare Authentic Hermès Purse Absolutely divine, a jewel The entire bag is rigid (leather and hardware), so chic ! Made in France Stamp R (no circle nor square - the...
$4,900
H 3.7 in D 1.85 in L 4.8 in
Chanel Black Cotton Piqué, Plexi and Rhinestone Minaudière Box Clutch
By Chanel
Located in New York, NY
This Chanel Black Cotton Piqué, Plexi and Rhinestone Minaudière Box Clutch from 2005 to 2006 reflects the house’s playful yet structured evening designs, finished with silver hardwar...
KATE SPADE Spring Forward Wicker Snail raffia straw rattan crossbody clutch
By Kate Spade
Located in Hong Kong, NT
KATE SPADE Spring Forward Wicker Snail green raffia straw rattan crossbody clutch Reference: TGAS/F00283 Brand: Kate Spade Model: Spring Forward Wicker Sn...
1980s Vintage GUCCI Calfskin Leather Bamboo Clutch Bag Navy
By Gucci
Located in Bangkok, TH
This vintage GUCCI evening clutch bag is crafted of smooth calfskin leather in navy featuring a bamboo top covered with the same leather. Top kiss lock closure opens to a luxurious d...
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Brown Leather Clutch Bag
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Paris, FR
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Brown leather clutch bag featuring an envelope shape, an under front flap gold-tone snap, a quilted leather detail, an inside cotton all-over logo lining with ...
1970s Pierre Cardin Alligator Leather Embossed Convertible Vintage Clutch Bag
By Pierre Cardin
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic early 70s PIERRE CARDIN alligator / crocodile leather embossed convertible clutch bag. Gold chain strap can either be tucked into the bag, or removed with functioning strap hook...
Mod Pierre Cardin Clutch Bag Purse with Black and Silver Mesh 1960s
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Here's an unusual bag from Pierre Cardin, most likely made in the 1960s. It's made from black and silver mesh and features Cardin's logo on the top flap. ...
1960s Pierre Cardin Navy Logo Jacquard and Leather Clutch
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Toronto, Ontario
The best Pierre Cardin Navy Logo clutch I have ever found. In excellent vintage condition. Dates from the 1960's. Signature fabric interior. One zipper com...
Pierre Cardin Burgundy Crocodile Bag
By Pierre Cardin
Located in London, GB
This burgundy crocodile bag by French designer Pierre Cardin, is super chic.It can be used as a clutch bag /purse, or as a handbag/shoulder bag - it...
1970s Gorgeous Black Leather Patent Pierre Cardin Shoulder Bag
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Paris, FR
Black patent leather logo shoulder bag from Pierre Cardin featuring a foldover top, a front gold tone free logo, a detachable shoulder strap 18,5 in (47cm) so should be worn as a cl...
1960s Pierre Cardin Gold Cut Steel Evening Bag
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Unique 1960's Pierre Cardin gold plated cut steel beaded evening bag fashioned in the antique style with chain handle and satin lining. Design i...
Pierre Cardin Sleek Python Versatile Clutch Bag c 1970
By Pierre Cardin
Located in University City, MO
Pierre Cardin Sleek python versatile clutch bag c 1970 The chic handbag is covered with exotic python skin The versatile designs converts from a mod clutch Transitions to a stylis...
1960's PIERRE CARDIN microbeaded gilt floral clutch
By Pierre Cardin
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Very rare microbeaded floral clutch with long concealable gilt chain link strap from Pierre Cardin dating to the 1960's. Fully lined in satin. One interi...