Artwork

Iceberg

Iceberg, by Marie-Louise Carven, 1962
Iceberg, by Marie-Louise Carven, 1962

Iceberg is a drawing by Marie-Louise Carven. It dates from 1962 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.

About this work

Overview

Iceberg is a fashion sketch created around 1962 by Marie-Louise Carven, founder of the House of Carven. The drawing depicts a woman in a long, flowing dress with a simple, elegant design.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is a woman wearing a long, three-quarter sleeved dress with a row of small, round buttons. Her poised stance and neatly pulled-back hair convey a sense of understated sophistication, reflecting Carven's prêt-à-porter aesthetic.

Technique & Style

The sketch features loose, quick lines with light shading to suggest the fabric's shape. Thin, sketchy lines maintain simplicity, characteristic of Carven's emphasis on effortless, lightweight designs.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1962 by Marie-Louise Carven, the sketch exemplifies her pioneering work in Parisian ready-to-wear fashion, particularly with simple, high-quality designs like the depicted dress.

Context

Iceberg reflects the early 1960s Parisian fashion scene, where Carven's House was instrumental in popularizing prêt-à-porter. The design aligns with Carven's preference for lightweight fabrics, though the specific fabric isn't detailed in the sketch.

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.