Artwork
Averse
Averse is a drawing by Carven. It dates from 1958 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.
About this work
Overview
Averse, attributed to the French fashion house Carven and dated to around 1958, is a hand‑drawn illustration preserved in the Museum of Ethnography.
Averse, attributed to the French fashion house Carven and dated to around 1958, is a hand‑drawn illustration preserved in the Museum of Ethnography. The image presents a single figure dressed in a modest, knee‑length garment, accompanied by a reverse‑view sketch of the same outfit. The work functions as a visual record of mid‑century women’s attire, emphasizing both front and back design elements.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is a woman wearing a plain, short‑sleeved dress cinched at the waist with a belt, its hem edged in a darker trim and equipped with front pockets. She completes the look with black heels and a neatly cut bob hairstyle. The inclusion of the rear sketch suggests an instructional purpose, highlighting the garment’s construction and silhouette from multiple angles.
Technique & Style
Carven’s drawing employs loose yet precise line work, with subtle shading applied to the dress’s trim to convey depth. The rendering balances practicality with a slightly nostalgic aesthetic, reflecting the straightforward, utilitarian fashion illustration style common in the late 1950s. The clean execution underscores the garment’s form rather than decorative embellishment.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1958, Averse entered the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it remains accessible to researchers and the public. Its acquisition aligns with the museum’s broader effort to document everyday cultural artifacts, including fashion sketches that reveal social norms and design practices of the post‑war period.
Artist & collection
Artist
These delicate ink-on-paper drawings capture the quiet poetry of everyday things: pinecones, reeds, apples.
Museum
Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris
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