Artwork
Iceberg

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
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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