Artwork

Grenat

Grenat, by Marie-Louise Carven, 1965
Grenat, by Marie-Louise Carven, 1965

Grenat is a drawing by Marie-Louise Carven. It dates from 1965 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.

About this work

Overview

Grenat is a fashion design drawing from circa 1965 by Marie-Louise Carven, founder of the eponymous Parisian fashion house. The piece is characterized by loose lines, flat colors, and a bold, bright red outfit on a plain background.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a woman in a short, two-button jacket and matching skirt, topped with a dark hat. The focus on a petite, stylish figure reflects Carven's design ethos catering to smaller women.

Technique & Style

Executed with quick, confident strokes, Grenat showcases Carven's sketching approach, likely as a preliminary design concept. The absence of background emphasizes the garment's details.

History & Provenance

Created around 1965, during Carven's pivotal period in Parisian prêt-à-porter, Grenat is now part of the Museum of Ethnography's collection.

Context

Grenat represents Carven's contribution to the evolution of ready-to-wear fashion in Paris, highlighting her preference for lightweight materials (implied by the drawing's simplicity) and petite-friendly designs.

Legacy

As part of Carven's oeuvre, Grenat contributes to the historical record of her influence on accessible, stylish fashion for women of smaller stature.

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.