Artwork

Inès

Inès, by Marie-Louise Carven, 1958
Inès, by Marie-Louise Carven, 1958

Inès is a drawing by Marie-Louise Carven. It dates from 1958 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.

About this work

Overview

Inès, created circa 1958, is a fashion illustration by Marie-Louise Carven, founder of the Carven fashion house. The work depicts a woman in a formal, white evening gown standing alongside a mannequin, set against a plain off-white background.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is a petite woman in a bespoke, strapless, sweetheart neckline gown with a full skirt and blue-gray floral bodice. Her poised, turned stance conveys elegance and refinement, reflecting Carven's focus on designing for petite women.

Technique & Style

The illustration features simple, clean lines and minimal shading, emphasizing the gown's design. The overall visual effect is understated, highlighting the dress's details against a subdued background.

History & Provenance

Created during Carven's pioneering work in prêt-à-porter, *Inès* is now part of the Museum of Ethnography's collection. Carven, known for innovations like the patented push-up bra, was a trailblazer among Parisian couturiers.

Context

*Inès* reflects the late 1950s fashion trends and Carven's approach to lightweight fabrics and petite-friendly designs, though the specific fabrics used in the illustration are not detailed.

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.