Artwork

Lagardère

Lagardère, by Marie-Louise Carven, 1953
Lagardère, by Marie-Louise Carven, 1953

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

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.