Artwork

Quartz

Quartz, by Marie-Louise Carven, 1965
Quartz, by Marie-Louise Carven, 1965

Quartz is a drawing by Marie-Louise Carven. It dates from 1965 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.

About this work

Overview

Quartz is a fashion drawing created by Marie-Louise Carven, founder of the Carven fashion house, circa 1965. The work features two women in pink outfits, differing in sleeve style, rendered in a simple, bold-lined aesthetic.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts two women engaged with each other, one in a sleeveless dress and the other in a long-sleeved jacket and skirt, both with pulled-back hair. The emphasis on pink dresses highlights Carven's focus on feminine, lightweight designs, potentially showcasing her approach to petite women's fashion.

Technique & Style

Characterized by bold lines and minimal details, Quartz reflects a straightforward, illustrative approach. The dominant pink color underscores the fashion emphasis, while the simple style may suggest a design sketch or promotional material.

History & Provenance

Created around 1965 by Marie-Louise Carven, a pioneering Parisian couturier known for introducing prêt-à-porter lines and inventing the push-up bra, Quartz is now part of the Museum of Ethnography's collection.

Context

Quartz sits within the broader context of 1960s fashion, where Carven's work contributed to the evolution of accessible, modern clothing. However, its presence in a Museum of Ethnography, rather than a fashion museum, is noteworthy and may indicate a broader cultural or anthropological significance.

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.