Coconas was painted by Marie-Louise Carven in 1953.

Where can I see Coconas?

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

Artwork

Coconas

Marie-Louise Carven , 1953

Coconas is a drawing by Marie-Louise Carven. It dates from 1953 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.

About this work

Overview

Coconas, created circa 1953 by French fashion designer Marie-Louise Carven, is a fashion drawing depicting a woman in a loose, blue plaid suit. The piece is characterized by simple lines, predominantly flat colors, and minimal shading, suggesting a quick study for a design.

Subject & Meaning

The subject of Coconas is a woman posed in a relaxed manner, showcasing a blue plaid ensemble consisting of a jacket and pants. The outfit reflects Carven’s design ethos, tailored for petite figures, though the model’s identity or the significance of the name 'Coconas' (scrawled in the corner) remains unclear.

Technique & Style

Technically, Coconas features straightforward drawing with an emphasis on simplicity. The color palette is subdued, with flat tones dominating and only a few expressive strokes used for shading, indicative of a rapid sketching process, likely for preliminary design purposes.

History & Provenance

Created around 1953 by Marie-Louise Carven, founder of her eponymous fashion house in 1945, Coconas is now part of the Museum of Ethnography’s collection. Notably, Carven was an early advocate for ready-to-wear fashion and favored lightweight materials, though these aspects are not directly showcased in this drawing.

Context

Coconas situates itself within the early 1950s fashion landscape, reflecting the burgeoning ready-to-wear market and designs catering to petite women, a niche Carven’s house successfully targeted. The use of plaid also nods to popular textile patterns of the time.

Legacy

As part of the Museum of Ethnography, Coconas contributes to the historical record of mid-20th-century fashion, specifically highlighting Carven’s contributions to ready-to-wear and her design aesthetics. Its simplicity and focus on practical, petite-friendly fashion reflect the evolving accessibility of high fashion during this period.