Naos was painted by Marie-Louise Carven in 1959.

Where can I see Naos?

Naos is held by Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.

Artwork

Naos

Marie-Louise Carven , 1959

Naos is a drawing by Marie-Louise Carven. It dates from 1959 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.

About this work

Overview

Naos, created circa 1959 by French fashion designer Marie-Louise Carven, is a fashion drawing depicting a woman in a coordinating light blue jacket and skirt ensemble, accompanied by a rear view sketch of the jacket.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is a stylish, petite woman dressed in Carven's signature lightweight fabric design, embodying the designer's focus on petite women's fashion. The outfit's simplicity and practicality reflect Carven's approach to accessible, elegant clothing.

Technique & Style

Executed with loose, sketchy lines, the drawing conveys the garment's shape and movement. The textured appearance of the jacket's fabric is suggested through the artist's rendering, with a secondary sketch highlighting the back's button closure.

History & Provenance

Created by Marie-Louise Carven, founder of the Carven fashion house (established 1945), Naos is now part of the Museum of Ethnography's collection. Carven was a pioneer among Parisian couturiers in introducing prêt-à-porter lines.

Context

Naos represents the shift towards more accessible fashion in late 1950s Paris, where couturiers like Carven began catering to a broader audience through prêt-à-porter, balancing style with practicality for the modern woman.

Legacy

As a piece by a pioneering female designer, Naos contributes to the historical record of fashion's evolution towards inclusivity and accessibility, highlighting Carven's influence on mid-20th-century fashion trends.