Pierre Cardin’s Lacoste Village, France

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Fashion and art always went together like butter and toast. But imagine fashion and art marching hand in hand with le Marquis de Sade and Lacoste! And Pierre Cardin!

One of the fashion world’s controversies involves Mr Pierre Cardin and his interest for a particular cultural patrimony – le village Lacoste from France.

The small village (under 500 people) was properly invaded by Mr Cardin: he bought Marquis De Sade’s castle ruins (remember the impressive Wind Pavilion we talked about months back?) and many from the village’s houses. (more information and pictures right after the jump!)

Mr. Cardin’s interest for controversial cultural patrimony also extended in Italy, Venice where he bought Casanova’s palazzo. Entre de Sade and Casanova, Pierre Cardin was slammed by the public opinion for his Lacoste interest.

Lacoste is still divided between those who feel fortunate to have Pierre Cardin interest upon them (and their humble houses that sold some for three times their market value) and the decrepit village now getting back to life.

Some, on the other hand, still feel the communist blood running through their veins ( Lacoste was a communist stronghold decades ago) and blame Cardin for acting like a predator, deciphering his actions as being the manners of a “seigneur”, feudal landlord with no respect and appreciation for the locals.

Lacoste is one of those marvelously inspiring places from the charming French Provence that could be both blessed and cursed by their beauty and artistic vibrations.

Pierre Cardin’s wish, to transform Lacoste into the “St. Tropez of culture” started with buying the legendary castle’s ruins, building and installing a concert/theatre arena for The Festival of Lacoste (taking place from the last week of July throughout August of every year), continued with buying 20 local houses (that until last year, who knows if he doesn’t own the entire village by now).

The true artists, bohemians dedicated to their dreaming ways spend their time either studying in the prestigious Lacoste School of the Arts (founded in 1970) either drinking wine out and about in the magical Provencal village.

The Cardin-Lacoste controversy touched a media-maximum last year but Mr. Cardin’s burning desire to transform the small village into a cultural (and tourism) heaven could only accelerate while he piles up the years. Morally questionable, Mr Cardin’s Lacoste interest could benefit or destroy Lacoste?

(you can read more about Lacoste here, about le Marquis de Sade here, about Pierre Cardin here) (via)