Arête was painted by Marie-Louise Carven in 1962.

Where can I see Arête?

Arête is held by Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.

Artwork

Arête

Marie-Louise Carven , 1962

Arête is a drawing by Marie-Louise Carven. It dates from 1962 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.

About this work

Overview

Arête is a fashion design sketch created by French couturier Marie-Louise Carven around 1962. The piece depicts a woman in a simple black dress with distinctive short sleeves and a flared skirt, characterized by loose, quick lines that impart a sketchy, unfinished quality.

Subject & Meaning

The subject of Arête is a woman dressed in a quintessential Carven design for petite women, emphasizing simplicity and comfort. The relaxed pose, with one hand resting on her head and hair pulled back, conveys a sense of everyday elegance, reflecting Carven's approach to accessible, modern fashion.

Technique & Style

The sketch employs loose, expressive lines and a minimalist approach. The fabric of the dress is suggested through small crisscrossed lines, a technique akin to cross-hatching, which implies a smooth, slightly shiny texture without relying on color.

History & Provenance

Created in 1962 by Marie-Louise Carven, founder of the House of Carven (established in 1945), Arête is now part of the Museum of Ethnography's collection. Carven was a pioneer among Parisian couturiers in introducing prêt-à-porter lines, making high-fashion more accessible.

Context

Arête reflects the early 1960s fashion landscape, where designers like Carven were shifting towards more relaxed, modern silhouettes. The piece also highlights Carven's focus on petite women, a niche she successfully catered to.

Legacy

As part of the Museum of Ethnography, Arête contributes to the historical record of mid-20th-century French fashion, illustrating Carven's influence on accessible haute couture and her design ethos centered around comfort and simplicity for petite women.