Fashion icon Pierre Cardin has been honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the world's biggest menswear show, Pitti Immagine Uomini in Italy.
The 80-year-old designer received a standing ovation as he received the prize at the Palais Corsini in Florence. A retrospective of his creations was also put on show in tribute to his groundbreaking efforts over the years.
"He was the first to present a prêt-a-porter collection at a major fashion house, Le Printemps in Paris, the first to turn the market towards the future, China, and the first to organise a show in Moscow's Red Square," said Pitti Uomini chief Raffaello Napoleone.
"It's always touching to receive a reward," responded the recipient. "Many of the clothes which I have shown are more than 30 or 40 years old. Some were very badly received at the time I created them. Today they could be on the high street."
And it is not just his avant garde designs that have earned him the respect and admiration of his peers over the course of his 50 years in fashion. Pierre is also a UNESCO ambassador and is highly regarded as a businessman and academic.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
