Artwork
Robe vermillon

Robe vermillon is a drawing by Marie-Louise Carven. It dates from 1957 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.
About this work
Overview
Robe vermillon, created circa 1957 by French fashion designer Marie-Louise Carven, is a fashion design represented through a simple, clean-lined drawing. The piece is now part of the Museum of Ethnography's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a woman wearing a vibrant red, flared coat with large front buttons and a matching skirt, set against a plain background. The bold, bright red dominates the composition, emphasizing the outfit's simplicity and modernity.
Technique & Style
Characterized by clean lines, minimal details, and a focus on the garment's silhouette, the drawing reflects Carven's design aesthetic, which emphasized lightweight fabrics and practical, modern styles for petite women.
History & Provenance
Designed by Marie-Louise Carven around 1957, a period when she was a pioneering figure in Parisian prêt-à-porter, Robe vermillon is now housed at the Museum of Ethnography as part of its collection.
Context
Emerging in the late 1950s, this design embodies the evolving fashion landscape of post-war Paris, where designers like Carven popularized ready-to-wear clothing, making high-fashion more accessible.
Legacy
While specific influence of Robe vermillon on subsequent fashion trends is not broadly documented, it represents a moment in the development of prêt-à-porter and the democratization of fashion in the late 20th century.
Artist & collection
Artist
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.
Museum
Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris
Continue through works from the same source collection.
















