"In the beginning, they always criticize me," Pierre Cardin says
gleefully. "They say, 'What is he doing now? Quel horreur? Quel
décadence. That's the end of Cardin.' Then, six months later,
they're all doing it."  The 54-year-old Frenchman is more right
than humble. Not only did his flamboyant men's clothes lead to
the "Peacock Revolution" of the 1960s and his ready-to-wear
designer fashions for women lower the brows of haute couture, he
also has inspired many of his fellow couturiers to venture into
entrepreneurial areas far removed from clothing.  Few, however,
have extended themselves as much as Cardin, whose $100-million-
a-year operation is responsible for, among other things, Cardin
towels, Cardin stereo sets, Cardin kitchens, Cardin glassware,
Cardin bicycles, Cardin carpets, Cardin lamps, Cardin ashtrays,
Cardin wallpaper, Cardin wines and Cardin chocolates.  "The next
thing you know he'll be designing cheese," huffed an executive
at archcompetitor Yves St. Laurent. "Cardin is no longer a
label," exul