Artwork
Manteau blanc à motif noir

Manteau blanc à motif noir is a drawing by Marie-Louise Carven. It dates from 1967 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.
About this work
Overview
Manteau blanc à motif noir is a 1967 fashion design by Marie-Louise Carven, founder of the House of Carven. The piece features a white coat with a black pattern, characteristic of Carven's emphasis on lightweight fabrics and petite-friendly designs.
Subject & Meaning
The design depicts a woman wearing a short, dark coat with a black-and-white pattern over a plain dress, accompanied by a round hat. The outfit embodies Carven's modern and sleek aesthetic, tailored for petite women.
Technique & Style
The piece is a loose yet confident drawing, with a small sketch in the corner suggesting it is a design draft for the coat. The overall feel is quick and modern, with clean lines dominating the composition.
History & Provenance
Created around 1967, this design reflects Carven's pioneering work in both couture and prêt-à-porter. The original is housed in the Museum of Ethnography.
Context
Part of Carven's innovative approach to fashion, this design showcases her ability to balance high fashion with accessible, modern styles, catering to a broader audience through her early adoption of prêt-à-porter.
Legacy
Manteau blanc à motif noir contributes to Carven's legacy as a designer who transformed fashion by offering chic, petite-friendly clothing and spearheading the prêt-à-porter movement among couturiers.
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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