Artwork
Opaline
Opaline is a drawing by Carven. It dates from 1955 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.
About this work
Overview
Opaline, created circa 1955 by Carven, is a fashion sketch housed at the Museum of Ethnography. The work depicts a woman in a strapless, boldly patterned dress, posed with one hand on her hip and the other holding her hair back.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is a woman in a distinctive dress with a brown and blue splashed pattern on a light background. The pose conveys confidence, while the scrawled title *Opaline* (possibly referring to the dress or design) adds a personal touch.
Technique & Style
Executed in a loose, sketchy style, Opaline exudes a sense of spontaneity and experimentation, characteristic of quick fashion drawings.
History & Provenance
Created around 1955 by French fashion designer Carven, the sketch is now part of the collection at the Museum of Ethnography.
Context
Opaline reflects the mid-20th-century fashion aesthetic, with its emphasis on feminine silhouettes and bold patterns. It also showcases Carven’s approach to design.
Legacy
As part of the Museum of Ethnography’s collection, Opaline contributes to the historical record of mid-20th-century fashion design, particularly Carven’s contributions to the era’s style.
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
Continue through works from the same source collection.
