Pierre Cardin was known for his Space Age designs, but the late designer’s house is now turning its attention to something more down to earth — quite literally.
Current creative director Rodrigo Basilicati-Cardin has partnered with LeShuttle to design uniforms for its frontline staff, in a move aimed at elevating the customer experience as it modernizes its operations.
LeShuttle operates vehicle transport across the Channel Tunnel between the U.K. and France.
The partnership comes as LeShuttle, previously known as Eurotunnel, embarks on a broader five-year regeneration of its passenger terminals, led by Hollaway Studio, and seeks to position itself as a service-led brand in a competitive travel landscape increasingly focused on experience.
“Our goal with LeShuttle’s new uniform is to balance style with functionality, clothing that both empowers staff and reflects the values of the brand. Corporate wear is a significant area of expertise for the Pierre Cardin team and we take great pride in designing uniforms that set a standard for the world’s most visible companies and are proud to work with LeShuttle on this project,” said Basilicati-Cardin.
“LeShuttle’s uniform redesign is not only a visible refresh, but a statement of our commitment to delivering the very best experiences in modern travel,” said LeShuttle chief commercial officer Deborah Merrens.
Cardin’s nephew Basilicati-Cardin, now runs the show and has kept his uncle’s futuristic, geometric aesthetic and early embrace of ready-to-wear and unisex design. The label has dressed everyone from Jackie Kennedy to Beyoncé, and more recently has expanded its focus toward corporate wear and institutional partnerships.
At the most recent Paris Fashion Week show, Basilicati-Cardin said he was working with the houses’ licensee partners to create stronger design codes, such as open, curved jacket vents on blazers and other small visual cues “to make Pierre Cardin more recognizable.”
He said the shift will take about three years.
Basilicati-Cardin also said he is currently involved in a design project with an undisclosed luxury hotel company and is also opening a brand museum in Venice and new store-showroom hybrid in New York City, both slated for September.
The new uniforms will roll out in 2027 across terminals in Folkestone and Calais, covering more than 1,200 employees.