Artwork
Lagardère

Lagardère is a drawing by Marie-Louise Carven. It dates from 1953 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.
About this work
Overview
Lagardère is a fashion illustration created by Marie-Louise Carven around 1953. The piece features a woman modeled in a black-and-white striped suit, accentuated with red accessories, set against a plain background.
Subject & Meaning
The illustration showcases a design by Carven, highlighting her signature use of lightweight, striped fabrics. The outfit, complete with a jacket, pants, red gloves, hat, and pointed shoes, exemplifies her designs for petite women.
Technique & Style
Executed with quick, loose lines, the sketch emphasizes the outfit's details. Strategic shading on the face and hands adds depth, while short, parallel lines meticulously render the striped pattern on the suit.
History & Provenance
Created in the early 1950s by Marie-Louise Carven, founder of the Carven fashion house, Lagardère is now part of the collection at the Museum of Ethnography.
Context
This work reflects Carven's pioneering approach in couture, including her introduction of prêt-à-porter lines and innovative lingerie designs, such as the patented push-up bra.
Legacy
Lagardère represents a moment in Carven's contribution to mid-20th-century fashion, emphasizing accessibility and modernity in haute couture for a broader, petite clientele.
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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