We are currently under the astrological sign of Cancer (June 21- July 22) which is ruled by the moon. Unsurprisingly, Pierre Cardin, who is a moon child (he turned 97 on July 2nd), has always been inspired by the space race of the 60’s and space travel. In fact, during a visit to NASA Cardin famously bribed a security guard to let him try on Neil Armstrong’s space suit telling him “Look sir, my greatest happiness in life would be to try on that suit.”
“Pierre Cardin: Future Fashion”, the first retrospective of the iconic couturier’s work in New York in 40 years, will open to the public on Saturday, July 20th at the Brooklyn Museum (the press preview is Wednesday). It was specifically timed to coordinate with the 50th anniversary of the Apollo landing on the moon which Neil Armstrong referred to as “the beginning of a new age”.
To mark this momentous milestone in history, I was inspired to do a roundup of distinctive moon themed items in the market, some of which are vintage and one of a kind.
This eye-catching Saint Laurent cotton blend Moon Tapestry Bomber Jacket features a stand up 2 button collar, ribbed cuffs and waistband, silk lining and zip front closure. It is one of a kind and priced at $2553. More info/purchase
This one-shouldered Saint Laurent silk mini dress has one long sleeve and fitted cuffs. It is finished with a draped detail to the neckline and boasts an artful all-over crescent moon motif, $1374 (on sale from $2200). More info/purchase
Crafted in France from the purest silk, this navy-blue colored Chanel scarf has finished edges and an all-over graphic moon footstep print, $480. More info/purchase
Victorians were fascinated with the idea of travel to other planets. This rare and unusual Victorian Man in the Moon brooch is crafted from 14K gold and dated from the late 19th century, $6500, More info/purchase
This Sant’ Angelo mod fuchsia silk oblong scarf is dated 1970. It is designed with a bold figural full moon & crescent moon. The color block moons are accented with a cluster of twinkling white stars and it measures 70” X 13”, $150. More info/purchase
Sonia Rykiel’s moon pendant clip-on earrings are made of red resin and gilt metal, $368.23. More info/purchase
Dated from the mid 1990’s, this large (3 inch) Celine Disc Star cutout necklace has a 32 inch long chain, $750. More info/purchase
This unique Stephen Sprouse nylon print scarf from the mid 1980’s measures 48” X 50”, $850. More info/purchase
Valentino’s wool cardigan is intarsia-knitted with the silhouette of a crescent moon – one of the hero motifs from Pierpaolo Piccioli’s Pre-Fall ’19 runway show staged in Tokyo. The oversized, drop-shoulder shape is reminiscent of kimonos, and makes it even comfier to bundle up in, $2200. More info/purchase
This white long-sleeved T-shirt nods to Marine Serre’s gymnast roots. It’s made from lightweight jersey printed with signature black crescent moons and shaped for a second-skin fit, $225 More info/purchase
There is no contemporary designer more associated with the moon than Marine Serre. The talented young French designer studied at the Belgian design school La Cambre. Her final year was marked by the terrorist bombings in Paris and Brussels and these occurrences inspired her to connect the dots between Islam and the Western world.
Marine was awarded the 2017 LVMH Prize for her 2016 Radical Call for Love graduate collection which made effective use of second skin bodysuits, leggings, and tops, printed with the crescent moon, a celestial symbol associated with Islam. It has since become a signature.
Additional Image Gallery:
1979 Yves Saint Laurent Moon & Stars Sleeveless Top 1980’s Roger Vivier Black Velvet Pumps with Moon Applique Philippe Ferrandis Crystal Crescent Moon Brooch Moon Boot Shell and Rubber Snow Boots Rebajes Sun Moon Pendant Necklace Vintage Christian Dior Diamante Gold Toned Cresecent Moon Brooch
