Le musée Pierre Cardin

In the light of a glassed-roof building, 130 mannequins display the most emblematic selections of the couturier's designs, lined up alongside the wall on two levels, they illustrate the "working life" of this avant-garde designer. Black-buttoned grey coats, beige suits hooped at the back, pleated poppy-red coat, cream dress-coat… A dozen or so designs sum up the beginning of Pierre Cardin's career, one of the first employees of the design house of Christian Dior in 1946.

After that began " the space age " of the 60's (1965-1970) : dresses in colourful geometric shapes and motifs, two holes cut out to reveal the breasts, red suit designed to accentuate pointed breasts. "that was 40 years ago all the same, it was very provocative", underlines Cardin convinced that "Jean-Paul Gaultier and all the others" copied his ideas.

Hats, shoes, glasses, jewellery...

The trouser-suits designed for the athletes taking part in the Olympic Games in Munich (1972) are akin to the black or red vinyl mini skirts, sleeveless dresses and others in metal figure-hugging 3D design. His cocktail or evening dresses outline long black silhouettes, with steel-plated collars and bodices inspired by the Citroën car bumpers and created by a car-body maker. Or, on the contrary, brightly coloured designs in 3D style with folds, loose strips, bubble dresses…

Numerous accessories are also on display : hats, shoes, glasses, jewellery (in enamel, metal, plastic, vinyl), belts and masks. The museum accounts for between 600 and 700 pieces arranged by theme and year of creation.

Opening hours

Open Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 2pm to 5pm

Information

33 bd Victor Hugo 93400 Saint-Ouen
Tel. : + 33 (0)1 49 21 08 20

How to get there

Métro (ligne/ligne 13) station : Mairie de Saint-Ouen