Orgeat was painted by Marie-Louise Carven in 1955.

Where can I see Orgeat?

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

Artwork

Orgeat

Marie-Louise Carven , 1955

Orgeat is a drawing by Marie-Louise Carven. It dates from 1955 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1955 by French designer Marie‑Louise Carven, *Orgeat* is a fashion illustration that captures a woman in a strapless, fitted dress with a long, gradient skirt. Rendered in quick, confident lines, the drawing functions as a study of silhouette and fabric, and it now belongs to the Museum of Ethnography’s collection.

Subject & Meaning

The figure is poised with one hand on the hip and the other supporting a draped cloth, suggesting movement and the interplay of garment and body. The title “Orgeat,” handwritten in the margin, likely denotes the dress’s name, hinting at a light, possibly pastel hue reflected in the sketch’s pale‑green to white gradient.

Technique & Style

Carven employs loose, gestural strokes combined with subtle shading to suggest texture on the bodice and the flow of the skirt. The use of cross‑hatching in select areas builds surface depth, while the overall economy of line conveys the design’s elegance without detailed rendering.

History & Provenance

Marie‑Louise Carven, founder of the eponymous fashion house in 1945, was an early adopter of ready‑to‑wear concepts and a pioneer in innovative undergarments. This illustration, produced during the mid‑1950s, reflects her focus on lightweight fabrics and petite silhouettes. It entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings as part of its fashion‑design archive.

Context

The mid‑twentieth‑century fashion scene in Paris was shifting toward accessible, ready‑to‑wear clothing. Carven’s work exemplifies this transition, marrying couture sensibility with practical design. *Orgeat* illustrates her approach to creating garments that combine structural precision with a breezy, everyday appeal.