Who painted Follette?

Follette was painted by Marie-Louise Carven in 1957.

Where can I see Follette?

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

Artwork

Follette

Marie-Louise Carven , 1957

Follette is a drawing by Marie-Louise Carven. It dates from 1957 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1957 by French designer Marie‑Louise Carven, *Follette* is a sketch‑like image held in the Museum of Ethnography’s collection. The work reflects Carven’s interest in quick visual studies and offers a glimpse of her design process during the early years of her eponymous fashion house.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a solitary standing figure rendered with minimal lines that emphasize the silhouette of shoulders, hips and legs. The head is reduced to a small oval, suggesting a focus on bodily form rather than facial detail, while a diminutive secondary figure appears in the margin, perhaps indicating a comparative pose or a fleeting gesture.

Technique & Style

Executed with loose, dark strokes, the image relies on simple contouring rather than elaborate shading. The economy of line and the sketch‑like quality align with mid‑century fashion illustration practices, where rapid studies captured movement and proportion for later development.

History & Provenance

Marie‑Louise Carven, who founded the Carven fashion house in 1945, was among the first Parisian couturiers to launch a ready‑to‑wear line. *Follette* was produced during this innovative period and later entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings, where it remains part of the institution’s documentation of fashion design.

Context

The mid‑1950s marked a shift in Parisian fashion toward accessible, prêt‑à‑porter garments. Carven’s work, including this sketch, reflects the era’s emphasis on practicality and elegance for petite women, illustrating how designers translated concept sketches into marketable clothing.