Artwork
Gingembre

Gingembre is a drawing by Carven. It dates from 1963 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.
About this work
Overview
Gingembre is a 1963 fashion illustration by the French designer Carven, currently part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. Rendered as an image, the work depicts a woman in a loose, knee‑length coat with a high collar, paired with a long skirt, bright orange hat, low heels and a small purse. The title appears in the lower corner, accompanied by the artist’s initials.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing presents a stylized female figure whose attire reflects early‑1960s trends, emphasizing a streamlined silhouette and bold colour accents. The choice of orange for the hat and the confident posture suggest a modern, fashionable woman, while the simple composition directs attention to the garment’s form rather than narrative detail.
Technique & Style
Carven employs clean, assured lines to outline the clothing, avoiding excessive shading or background elements. The minimalistic approach highlights the shape of the coat and skirt, creating a graphic quality typical of mid‑century fashion sketches, where line work serves to convey texture and movement succinctly.
History & Provenance
Created in 1963, Gingembre entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date, where it contributes to the institution’s broader representation of fashion as cultural expression. The work bears Carven’s initials, confirming authorship and linking it to the designer’s prolific output of runway and ready‑to‑wear illustrations during that period.
Artist & collection
Artist
These delicate ink-on-paper drawings capture the quiet poetry of everyday things: pinecones, reeds, apples.
Museum
Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris
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