Artwork
Colin maillard

Colin maillard is a drawing by Marie-Louise 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
The artist signed it "Colin Maillard" in the corner, which is odd for a woman’s name.
This is a quick, loose drawing of a woman in a long red coat. The coat has big pockets, a buttoned collar, and a slightly flared skirt. Her legs are long and straight, ending in simple shoes. The lines are sketchy, almost like a quick note—no extra details.
The artist signed it "Colin Maillard" in the corner, which is odd for a woman’s name. The coat looks practical but stylish, like something from the mid-20th century.
If you like this style, look up Marie-Louise Carven.
Overview
Colin maillard is a mid-20th-century fashion design drawing attributed to Marie-Louise Carven, founder of the Carven fashion house. The piece depicts a woman in a long, practical yet stylish red coat with distinctive details.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is a woman dressed in a long red coat characterized by large pockets, a buttoned collar, and a flared skirt, paired with simple shoes. The design reflects Carven's focus on petite women and functional, elegant clothing.
Technique & Style
Executed in a quick, loose drawing style with sketchy lines and minimal details, the work conveys a sense of spontaneity, possibly a conceptual sketch rather than a finished design.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1955 by Marie-Louise Carven, the drawing is part of the Museum of Ethnography's collection. Notably, the signature 'Colin Maillard' (a pseudonym or error, given the known creator) adds a layer of intrigue.
Context
Reflecting mid-20th-century fashion trends, the coat's design aligns with Carven's pioneering work in prêt-à-porter for petite women, marking a shift towards more accessible, stylish clothing.
Legacy
While the specific legacy of *Colin maillard* is not broadly documented, it represents Carven's influence on mid-century fashion, particularly in making high-style clothing more inclusive for petite women.
Artist & collection
Artist
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.
Museum
Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris
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