Artwork

Manteau ample bleu

Manteau ample bleu, by Marie-Louise Carven, 1957
Manteau ample bleu, by Marie-Louise Carven, 1957

Manteau ample bleu is a drawing by Marie-Louise Carven. It dates from 1957 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.

About this work

Overview

Manteau ample bleu, circa 1957, is a drawing depicting a woman in a blue coat, white skirt, and heels, set against a white background. The artwork showcases a moment of everyday elegance through expressive lines and shading.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, a woman with short hair in a walking pose, embodies a sense of modern, petite femininity, reflecting the designer's focus on clothing for smaller frames. The attire suggests a blend of comfort and sophistication.

Technique & Style

The drawing employs soft, flowing lines for the coat, contrasting with more defined shapes for the skirt and heels, creating a dynamic interplay of texture and movement. This stylistic choice highlights the garment's design and the subject's motion.

History & Provenance

Created around 1957 by Marie-Louise Carven, a pioneering French couturier known for her lightweight fabrics and petite-friendly designs, the piece is now part of the Museum of Ethnography's collection.

Context

Manteau ample bleu sits at the intersection of haute couture's evolution towards prêt-à-porter and the mid-20th-century aesthetic of understated elegance, reflecting Carven's transitional role in French fashion.

Legacy

While primarily a fashion designer, this drawing contributes to the visual archive of Carven's design philosophy, illustrating her influence on accessible, refined fashion for the modern woman.

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.