Iconic Designs

Pierre Cardin (made by Carlos Peñafiel), molded brown leather man’s shoes, 1986, France, gift of Richard Martin, 87.16.1

Carlos Peñafiel for Pierre Cardin

In 1986, Pierre Cardin collaborated with Chilean-born sculptor Carlos Peñafiel to produce a surrealist leather shoe inspired by René Magritte's 1930s series 'Le Modèle Rouge.' The brown pebbled leather was...

Carlos Peñafiel for Pierre Cardin

In 1986, Pierre Cardin collaborated with Chilean-born sculptor Carlos Peñafiel to produce a surrealist leather shoe inspired by René Magritte's 1930s series 'Le Modèle Rouge.' The brown pebbled leather was...

Hat, Cristóbal Balenciaga, sheared ostrich feathers, 1955 – 60, Paris, Victoria and Albert Museum, Nick Veasy

Balenciaga X-Rayed

In 2016, the Victoria & Albert Museum solicited the help of X-ray artist Nick Veasy to photograph garments created by Cristóbal Balenciaga. The project aimed to gain an insight into...

Balenciaga X-Rayed

In 2016, the Victoria & Albert Museum solicited the help of X-ray artist Nick Veasy to photograph garments created by Cristóbal Balenciaga. The project aimed to gain an insight into...

Schiaparelli and Dalí

Schiaparelli and Dalí

Bound by their sense of surrealism and love of shock-factor, Elsa Schiaparelli and Salvador Dalí’s creative collaboration is lauded as the very first example of an art and fashion collaboration....

Schiaparelli and Dalí

Bound by their sense of surrealism and love of shock-factor, Elsa Schiaparelli and Salvador Dalí’s creative collaboration is lauded as the very first example of an art and fashion collaboration....

Pleats Please Guest Artist Series

Pleats Please Guest Artist Series

In 1993, Issey Miyake launched his ‘Pleats Please’ line, implementing a special pleating technique that allowed the garments to be washed and dried without losing their shape. From 1996 to...

Pleats Please Guest Artist Series

In 1993, Issey Miyake launched his ‘Pleats Please’ line, implementing a special pleating technique that allowed the garments to be washed and dried without losing their shape. From 1996 to...

Rudi Gernreich’s Provocative Lingerie and Swimwear

Rudi Gernreich’s Provocative Lingerie and Swimwear

Rudi Gernreich’s provocative lingerie and swimwear collections far precede today’s ‘Free the Nipple’ movement. Never before had they been so small and unconstricted. Gernreich’s vision was a celebration of nudity...

Rudi Gernreich’s Provocative Lingerie and Swimwear

Rudi Gernreich’s provocative lingerie and swimwear collections far precede today’s ‘Free the Nipple’ movement. Never before had they been so small and unconstricted. Gernreich’s vision was a celebration of nudity...

Cardin's Nurses

Cardin's Nurses

In 1970 Pierre Cardin was tasked with designing the uniforms for a new hospital in Boulogne Billancourt. This institution was designed as a prototype of the modern hospital by Nicholas...

Cardin's Nurses

In 1970 Pierre Cardin was tasked with designing the uniforms for a new hospital in Boulogne Billancourt. This institution was designed as a prototype of the modern hospital by Nicholas...