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...
$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.
Chanel 2001 Vintage Quilted Enamel Minaudière Micro Mini Gala Clutch
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Quilted black Chanel enamel minaudière with hidden interwoven wrist chain and cc logo name plate 2001 {VINTAGE 21 Years} Antique silver hardware B...
$26,920
H 4 in W 2.25 in D 2 in
Chanel 2006 Spring Runway Vintage Mini Resin Pillbox Crossbody Clutch Minaudière
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel resin pillbox limited edition runway minaudière 2006 {VINTAGE 15 Years} Silver hardware Circular resin design with CC logo Black leather interior lining 2.25”W x 4”H x 2”D...
$12,920
H 12 in W 16 in D 3 in
Chanel 2004 Rare Vintage Bible Book CC Limited Edition Minaudière Clutch Bag
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel 2004 Rare Vintage Bible Book CC Limited Edition Minaudière Clutch Bag Year: Fall 2004 Gold accent Black suede book motif Diamond quilted S...
Chanel 1997 Rare Vintage Alligator Top Handle Micro Mini Kelly Bag
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Rare Chanel Vintage 90's Alligator Top Handle Micro Mini Kelly Tote 1997 {VINTAGE 25 Years} Gold Hardware Interior zipper pocket Black Lambskin int...
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...
Chanel 1989 Black Lambskin Extra Long Elongated Classic Flap Clutch
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel black lambskin extra long elongated classic flap clutch 1989 {VINTAGE 35 Years} Giant long lambskin leather clutch flap bag Gold hardware CC turn-lock closure Interior long z...
$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...
Chanel Vintage 1990 Alligator Skin Leather Classic Flap Bag Convertible Clutch
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Small black Chanel alligator envelope flap with vintage chain 1990 {VINTAGE 33 Years} Vintage gold hardware Interior black leather lining Alligator detail on chain Zippered center p...
PRADA ivory leather DEERKSIN Hobo Bag Vietello Daino
By Prada
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Prada hobo bag in cream Vitello Daino deerskin leather with a brown shoulder-strap featuring gold-tone hardware and logo lettering. Opens with a zipper a zipper on top...
ROGER VIVIER 2017 Boite De Nuitmetallic snake envelope box evening clutch bag
By Roger Vivier
Located in Hong Kong, NT
ROGER VIVIER 2017 Boite De Nuitmetallic gold textured snake envelope box tassel evening clutch bag Reference: CYVN/A00092 Brand: Roger Vivier Model: Boite de Nuit Tassel Minaudière ...
New Kate Spade Spring 2005 Snakeskin Fabric Heels Sz 8.5
Located in Conroe, TX
Kate Spade Rare From Her Spring 2005 Collection Her Final Collection before selling to Neiman Marcus Brand New Size 8.5 * Metallic Snakeskin Print * Adjustable Ankle Strap * Open T...
$29,920
H 3.5 in W 5.1 in D 2 in
Chanel Minaudière Rare Micro Mini Paris London Pearl Crown Tiny Purple Clutch
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel Ultra Rare Micro Mini Paris London Runway 2008 Pearl Crown Minaudière 2008 {VINTAGE 16 Years} Purple quilted lambskin leather Gold-tone hardware Pearl Crown Paris London e...
Chanel Classic Flap Patent Black Frame Clutch
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Electric black quilted patent leather clutch with rectangle metal frame Year: 2014 Metallic black cc logo Satin interior lining Zippered back pocket 10.5” W x 5.5” H x 2” D Made i...
Chanel Spring 2007 Limited Edition Charm Rare Black Leather Clutch
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Amazing clutch from Chanel 2007 Runway. Has been seen on many celebs including Penelope Cruz and Victoria Beckham. Chanel has come out with several similar pieces this past year how...
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...