The first futurist designer, a thought leader, and an empowered person who led radical changes in fashion is how the Indian fashion community remembers legendary French designer Pierre Cardin. He died on Tuesday at the age of 98.

An out-and-out pioneer, Cardin was a visionary who made a brave move deemed controversial in the late 1950s when he decided to start licensing products, such as pens, wallets, and furniture, using his brand name.