Why "House Of Cardin" Should Make Your Must-See Film List

  • Lauren deLisa Coleman
  • Lifestyle

Every year or so there is the much-hyped documentary on a luxury fashion brand. Many miss the mark, however "House Of Cardin" not only provides a completely thorough and insightful look at the designer behind the global brand powerhouse but also, remarkably, traces the rise of a corporation through a story that is nothing if not inspirational.

What is initially intriguing about this film is that we have little or no idea what the mogul Pierre Cardin looks like nor even an inkling of his story even though the brand's logo has ubiquitous for decades. Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent; are immediately recognizable figures, others, such as Cardin, not so much. It is this journey of discovery on all levels about Pierre Cardin that draws the viewer into the story.  Cardin's rise, chocked full of psychics, good breaks, hard work, other-worldly tailoring talent, disruptive innovation and fortitude, is a joy through which to ride.  Cardin seems to be one of the few lucky ones who was never curtailed by bad breaks, debilitating illness or any other mortal devastation.  He moves unbounded from the good graces and support of Christian Dior, from working at the legendary house as his first-ever position in the industry, to then having the famed designer give Cardin his blessings to start his own label.  The rest of is a business and personal life marked largely by success after success after success.  

Cardin's vision for a new silhouette for women just at a time when the social norms were changing in the 60s, launches his work into the spotlight.  Breaking all norms with patterns that free rather than constrict the female form, consumers clamor for his designs. Cardin then unleashes a string of unprecedented moves in luxury fashion that rock the industry and the market. First to create a ready-to-wear line, much to the chagrin of the industry. First to launch a menswear line, for which he serves as a model as well. First to create licensing deals, which cause him just as much financial joy and creative pain. First to create inclusiveness in diversity of models, to which Naomi Campbell speaks on camera. First to personally visit a number of foreign countries to drive his brand, the feats of which also include what appears to be the first-ever fashion show on the Great Wall of China. First to move from fashion to furniture design and support of creative artists in music through an extended effort in his Espace Cardin which run for 52 years. And, of course, his remarkable purchase of the legendary Maxim's from which he was once unceremoniously ejected is a definitely feather in the Cardin cap.

This film is really about the luxury of living one's dreams by one's own terms. To demonstrate audacity, expertise, risk, and creativity in order to create a global phenomenon and still, somehow, oversee the day-to-day evolution of the brand and a youthful, witty and determined 97 years of age. "House Of Cardin" and the man who inspired the documentary are truly nothing if not inspirational and dazzling.

Directed by the filmmaking trio of P. David Ebersole and Todd Hughes, "House of Cardin" is well-produced though sometimes a bit less time in certain portions that one might like or that could also delve a bit more into the challenge the brand suffered at licensing over-extension. However, overall, this is a very nice work that brings together a host of notables from Alice Cooper to Hanae Mori to the man himself to recount the rise of a fashion brand that will live in various forms forever.

 

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