Pierre Cardin, 1965When you think of Mod, you think of Pierre Cardin. He was one of the pioneers of the architectural design lines and cutouts of the mid 1960s. But did you know that Cardin also was a menswear fashion innovator? As early as 1960, Cardin was experimenting with the traditional business suit by removing collars, lapels, and cuffs.
Early Beatle's suit by Douglas Milling in the collection of the Museum of Liverpool.London tailor Douglas Millings, who made many of the early Beatles stage suits, copied Pierre Cardin's collarless suit for the Fab Four, and the look was an instant success all over the world. Cardin's menswear was also worn by John Steed in the British TV series, "The Avengers".
In 1966, Cardin opened his first menswear store, "Tout Pour L'Homme" at 59 rue du Fauborg Saint-Honoré in Paris.
Pierre Cardin, 1968Cardin was an innovator in mixing leather, vinyl, and metal with wool for fabulous op-art effects.
Pierre Cardin, 1968He often designed coordinating men's and women's fashions. Here he uses silver and black vinyl in a pair of Space Age looks from 1968.
Pierre Cardin, 1970It was Pierre Cardin who introduced the Nehru jacket after traveling to India and Pakistan in the 1960s. He used fancy brocades and other unusual fabrics for men's jackets. He also showed turtlenecks instead of button-down shirts for men.
Pierre Cardin, 1972Here, Cardin shows wider lapels in a suit coat that extends to midi length.
Pierre Cardin, 1972A precursor to the look that American menswear manufacturers would ruin in polyester fabric, a Leisure Suit in bright blue wool.
Pierre Cardin, 1972Another popular look for men in the early 70s - bell bottoms and vertical stripes. Somehow Cardin makes it all work.
