Artwork

Mic-mac

Mic-mac, by Marie-Louise Carven, 1962
Mic-mac, by Marie-Louise Carven, 1962

Mic-mac is a drawing by Marie-Louise Carven. It dates from 1962 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.

About this work

Overview

Mic-mac is a drawing created circa 1962 by Marie-Louise Carven, founder of the French fashion house Carven. The work is characterized by loose, sketchy lines and simple yet lively composition, currently held in the Museum of Ethnography's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a person from the back, wearing a dark green suit and tie, with fuzzy, cloud-like hair, and holding an object resembling a phone to their ear. The subject's identity and context are not explicitly defined, leaving interpretation open.

Technique & Style

Executed with quick, loose strokes, Mic-mac embodies a spontaneous, sketch-like quality. The artist's use of hasty lines conveys energy and simplicity, contrasting with the polished expectations often associated with fashion design.

History & Provenance

Created around 1962 by Marie-Louise Carven, a pioneering French couturier known for her work with lightweight fabrics and petite women's designs, as well as her early adoption of prêt-à-porter lines. The piece is now part of the Museum of Ethnography's collection.

Context

While primarily a fashion designer, this drawing showcases Carven's exploratory work outside her main medium. The 'Mic-mac' signature may allude to the piece's chaotic, mixed-media aesthetic, though its direct context or inspiration remains unclear.

Legacy

As a drawing by a prominent fashion figure, Mic-mac offers insight into Carven's creative breadth. However, its impact or influence on either the art or fashion worlds beyond this aspect is not prominently documented.

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.