Artwork

Muezzin

Muezzin, by Marie-Louise Carven, 1953
Muezzin, by Marie-Louise Carven, 1953

Muezzin 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

Muezzin, created circa 1953 by French fashion designer Marie-Louise Carven, is a drawing depicting a woman in a white, geometric-patterned dress. Characterized by bold lines and minimal shading, the piece showcases Carven's aesthetic.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, a woman in a high-neckline, long-sleeved dress with a pencil skirt, embodies 1950s fashion sensibilities. The design reflects Carven's focus on petite women, with clean lines and a balanced silhouette.

Technique & Style

Rendered in a simple yet effective style, Muezzin features bold, dynamic lines and minimal shading. The emphasis on the dress's folds and the woman's pose conveys a sense of movement and energy.

History & Provenance

Created by Marie-Louise Carven, founder of the Carven fashion house (est. 1945) and a pioneer in prêt-à-porter, Muezzin is now part of the Museum of Ethnography's collection.

Context

Muezzin represents the transitional period in 1950s fashion, where couture influences met the emerging prêt-à-porter market, a space Carven navigated successfully with designs for petite women.

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.