Artwork

Aulnay

Aulnay, by Marie-Louise Carven, 1958
Aulnay, by Marie-Louise Carven, 1958

Aulnay is a drawing by Marie-Louise 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

Aulnay is a fashion illustration created by Marie-Louise Carven, founder of the House of Carven, circa 1958. The piece is a drawing held in the collection of the Museum of Ethnography.

Subject & Meaning

The illustration depicts a woman wearing a bright blue, horizontally striped dress with a fitted top and flared skirt, accompanied by black heels and an indeterminate small accessory (possibly a cigarette holder or pen). The subject embodies Carven's design ethos, catering to petite women with emphasis on lightweight, elegant attire.

Technique & Style

Executed with bold black lines and flat colors, Aulnay exhibits a clean, stylized aesthetic. The signature 'Aulnay' in the top right corner adds a touch of simplicity to the overall graphic clarity of the piece.

History & Provenance

Created around 1958 by Marie-Louise Carven, a pioneering Parisian couturier known for introducing prêt-à-porter lines, Aulnay is now part of the Museum of Ethnography's collection.

Context

Aulnay reflects the mid-20th-century shift in haute couture towards more accessible, ready-to-wear fashion, a movement in which Carven played a significant role.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Marie-Louise Carven

Artist

Marie-Louise Carven

Marie-Louise Carven (31 August 1909 – 8 June 2015), born Carmen de Tommaso, was a French fashion designer who founded the house of Carven in 1945.