Artwork
Manteau cintré à boutonnage vermillon
Manteau cintré à boutonnage vermillon is a drawing by Carven. It dates from 1959 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.
About this work
Overview
Manteau cintré à boutonnage vermillon is a mid‑century illustration produced around 1959 by the French fashion house Carven. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is displayed as an example of post‑war fashion drawing. It presents a stylised view of a women’s coat, emphasizing its silhouette and decorative details.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts a woman wearing a sharply tailored coat in vivid vermilion, fastened with large, contrasting buttons. The garment is cinched at the waist with a belt and widens toward the hem, suggesting both elegance and movement. A secondary sketch shows the same coat from the rear, reinforcing the focus on the garment’s construction rather than the wearer’s identity.
Technique & Style
Carven employs a clean, linear drawing approach, using minimal shading to accentuate the coat’s form. The bold red of the fabric and the stark white of the buttons create a visual contrast that highlights the design’s precision. The dual perspective—front and back—offers a concise study of shape, typical of fashion illustration practices of the late 1950s.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1959, the drawing reflects Carven’s reputation for modern, accessible couture during the post‑war era.
Created circa 1959, the drawing reflects Carven’s reputation for modern, accessible couture during the post‑war era. It entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings as part of a broader acquisition of fashion-related artifacts, underscoring the institution’s interest in clothing as cultural expression. The piece remains in the museum’s permanent collection, accessible to researchers and the public.
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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