The New York Times and other outlets. No cause of death was stated.Cardin “clothed the elite but also transformed the business of fashion, reaching the masses by affixing his name to an outpouring of merchandise ranging from off-the-rack apparel to bath towels,” the Times notes.In his personal life, he identified primarily as gay and had a long romantic relationship with André Oliver, who was his partner in design as well as life, CNBC reports.
Oliver died in 1993. However, during their relationship Cardin had a four-year affair with esteemed French actress Jeanne Moreau.Cardin was born in 1922 in San Biagio di Callalta, Italy, to French parents who were vacationing there.