CARVEN

My next brand to discover is Carven, which currently is one of my favorite Ready-to-wear brand.

Carven began in Paris in 1945 as a haute couture house designed by Madame Carven Mallet(whose name originally was Carmen de Tommaso) and flourished in the 1950's and 1960's. Interestingly, the house name "Carven" is the contraction of her own first (Car of Carmen) and aunt's surname Boyriven (ven of Boyriven). 

It's first collection was a great success with famously known green and white striped summer frock named "Ma Griffe" (which also is the name of Carven's first perfume). An enthusiastic traveler, Madame Carven went around the world several times and was inspired by her travel to become one of the first designers to use African and Indian motifs in her work.

By 1950, Carven had achieved global success but from 1970~1990's, the house's early success had died down and was bought and sold several times by various companies. Finally in 2008, company named SCM bought the house and put an end to the house's haute couture collection, appointing young designer, Guillaume Henry as creative director for the ready-to-wear collection to bring young and fresh spirit to the storied house.

Basically, Guillaume Henry's work is based on its haute couture heritage in a style that he brings up to date with an aristocratic elegance that is very NOW and this is what I love about Carven so much.

Guillaume Henry, Carven Designer

Interesting thing here, is how Carven started her fashion career. She studied architecture and interior design originally but after that, went to fashion because of her small size(known that she was 1.55m) and felt it was hard to dress for her. To make up for her height, Carven began to create simple, slender designs which continues till now. 

I think this is why Carven dresses are so very popular among Japanese(and Korean, which is me!) women cause it might give us a few centimeters we may lack. 

<FW13 Carven Collection>

I just can't believe how someone can use so many pastel-toned colors and give the same vibe. Guillaume is just rocking it this season! This is why whenever I fly to Paris, I'm back packed up with Carven. Carven is not publicly known to Koreans at the moment, but I think it's a matter of time! Why don't we try a piece of Carven in FW13?

Lastly, my favorite AD cut from FW13 Carven.

Love, Victoria