Artwork

Chèvrefeuille

Chèvrefeuille, by Marie-Louise Carven, 1951
Chèvrefeuille, by Marie-Louise Carven, 1951

Chèvrefeuille is a drawing by Marie-Louise Carven. It dates from 1951 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.

About this work

Overview

Chèvrefeuille is a fashion sketch created circa 1951 by Marie-Louise Carven, founder of the Carven fashion house. The work is now part of the Museum of Ethnography's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The sketch depicts a woman in a loose, flowing outfit with wide sleeves and a high-waisted skirt, posing with one arm raised and the other on her hip. The subject's gesture and attire suggest a casual, everyday elegance.

Technique & Style

Executed in quick, simple lines with minimal shading, the sketch conveys a sense of spontaneity. Light pencil strokes and smudges indicate it may be a preliminary study rather than a finished work.

History & Provenance

Created around 1951 by Marie-Louise Carven, a pioneering Parisian couturier known for designing for petite women and introducing prêt-à-porter lines. The sketch is currently held in the Museum of Ethnography's collection.

Context

Chèvrefeuille reflects Carven's emphasis on lightweight fabrics and practical yet stylish designs for women, characteristic of her approach to fashion in the early 1950s.

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.