Artwork

Hoche queue

Hoche queue, by Marie-Louise Carven, 1960
Hoche queue, by Marie-Louise Carven, 1960

Hoche queue is a drawing by Marie-Louise Carven. It dates from 1960 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.

About this work

Overview

Hoche queue is a fashion illustration created circa 1960 by Marie-Louise Carven, founder of the Carven fashion house. The piece, now part of the Museum of Ethnography's collection, depicts a woman in a long, dark, subtly patterned dress with a bobbed hairstyle and headband, conveying elegance through its simple yet effective composition.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is a woman dressed in a design emblematic of Carven's focus on petite women, featuring thin straps, a low neckline, and a pose suggesting refinement. The attire and gesture imply a portrayal of understated, high-end fashion of the era.

Technique & Style

The illustration employs simple lines and subtle shading to achieve depth and dimensionality against a plain off-white background, reflecting the artist's emphasis on clean, elegant design.

History & Provenance

Created around 1960 by Marie-Louise Carven, a pioneer in Parisian prêt-à-porter, the piece is now housed in the Museum of Ethnography, providing insight into mid-20th-century fashion design techniques and aesthetics.

Context

Within the context of 1960s fashion, Hoche queue represents Carven's contribution to the shift towards more accessible, yet stylish, clothing for a broader demographic, particularly petite women.

Legacy

As part of the Museum of Ethnography's collection, Hoche queue contributes to the historical record of French fashion's evolution, specifically highlighting Carven's influence on prêt-à-porter and petite women's fashion.

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.