Elegant 1950s Fashion by Marie-Louise Carven

Marie-Louise Carven was a pioneering French fashion designer and the founder of the House of Carven. Born 1909, she stood out in the post-war era of haute couture not only for her elegant and practical designs but also for her vision of making fashion accessible to petite women—like herself, standing just 5’1” (1.55 m).

Carven launched her fashion house in 1945, at a time when most couture was designed for taller women. She broke convention by creating clothes tailored specifically for smaller frames, earning widespread popularity and making haute couture feel inclusive. Her work was known for its lightness, femininity, and charm, often using bright colors and bold prints—refreshing alternatives to the more austere fashions of her time.

Carven was also an early global ambassador of French fashion, traveling extensively and dressing women across Europe, North Africa, and Asia. In the 1950s and ’60s, she expanded into ready-to-wear and was among the first couturiers to embrace licensing, helping to build a modern global brand.

Carven retired in 1993 but lived to see her brand revived by new generations of designers. She passed away in 2015 at the age of 105. These glamorous photos capture timeless portraits of classic beauties dressed in Marie-Louise Carven’s elegant 1950s designs.

Model in in Scottish wool plaid dress of violet and yellow by Carven, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1950

Brigitte Auber in beautiful pleated organdy gown by Carven, photo by Richard Rutledge in the Paris Bois, Vogue, July 1950

Fabienne Velos in an Oriental-inspired tunic of black grosgrain embroidered with yellow raffia by Carven, photo by Georges Saad, 1951

Anne Gunning in mottled gray jersey dress, buttoned through, belted, with slight collar and 3/4 sleeves by Carven, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1952

Carmen Dell' Orefice in gray wool jersey dress with mauve silk scarf in the neckline, designed by Carven of Paris, photo by Clifford Coffin, Vogue, July 1, 1952

Sophie Malgat in classic tailored suit of green, purple and black plaid by Carven, brooch by Roger Scémama, black patent handbag by Prost, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1952

Ghislaine Arsac in Everglaze cotton cocktail dress by Carven, photo by Seeberger Bros., 1953

Model in elegant black velvet evening gown with gilt embroidered collar by Carven, photo by Jacques Decaux, 1953

Myrtle Crawford in black and brown print dress by Carven, cap by Claude St. Cyr, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953

Patricia Prunonosa in Marescot lace evening gown by Carven, photo by Georges Saad, 1953

Victoire in beautifully embroidered gold and crystal champagne satin dress by Carven, photo by Georges Saad, 1953

Ghislaine Arsac in embroidered satin evening gown with two side panels by Carven, long Sapphire EMBA mink stole by Jungmann Liebel, photo by Guy Arsac, 1954

Joan Olson in charming cotton-satin dress by Carven, photo by Roland de Vassal, Vogue, Paris, March 1954

Marie-Hélène Arnaud in ottoman dress by Carven, photo by Jacques Decaux, L'Art et la mode, March 1954

Model in a printed cotton jersey dress, with draped skirt and side hanging panel by Carven, photo by Georges Saad, L' Art et la mode, March 1, 1954

Model in beautiful pale yellow organza dress by Carven, photo by Georges Saad, L' Art et la mode, March 1, 1954

Ghislaine Arsac in beautiful satin gown draped in chiffon with sparkling embroidered bodice by Carven, fur by Max Leroy, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1955

Lena Madsen cotton print summer dress by Carven, photo by Guy Arsac, 1955

Lena Madsen in fitted wool suit by Carven, photo by Guy Arsac, L'Art et la Mode, March 1955

Marie-Hélène in white embroidered lace and satin dress by Carven, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1955

Model in beautiful St. Gall lace dress by Carven, photo by Joseph Grove, 1955

Model in lace and satin cocktail dress with scalloped hemline by Carven, photo by Jacques Decaux, 1955

Model in lovely pleated peau de soie dress embroidered with brilliants by Carven, photo by Guy Arsac, 1955

Jacky Mazel in frothy tulle gown enbroidered with sequins and pailettes by Carven, photo by Guy Arsac, 1956

Kouka Denis in hat by Rose Valois and dress by Carven, photo by Georges Saad, 1956

Model in ribbed wool suit with astrakhan collar and cap by Carven, photo by Eliane Martin, 1956

Model in silk cocktail dress by Carven, photo by Tom Kublin, 1956

Model in silk print full-skirted dress by Carven, photo by Georges Saad, 1956

Model in strapless white organza dress, embroidered by Hurel, double skirt and belted waist by Carven, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1956

Monique Chevalier wearing a gray gabardine short hooded cape over a matching suit by Carven, photo by Georges Saad, 1956

Ghislaine Arsac wears a draped and shirred silk chiffon dress over tulle in a vibrant fuschia by Carven, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1957

Kouka Denis in charming white embroidered linen dress by Carven, photo by Georges Saad, 1957

Kouka Denis in white silk dress printed with violets worn with white silk shantung coat by Carven, photo by Georges Saad, 1957

Lovely embroidered organdy dress by Carven, photo by Georges Saad, L'Officiel, 1957

Model in emerald green taffeta cocktail dress by Carven, photo by Georges Saad, 1957

Model in white silk twill dress printed with violet circles by Carven, silk organdy wide-brimmed hat by Rose Valois, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1957

Simone d'Aillencourt in beautiful shimmering lace over tulle dance dress with very short bolero by Carven, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1957

Simone d'Aillencourt in lovely dress of pink Brivet lace, the waist is sashed in satin, by Carven, beaded and embroidered bag by Lesselbaum, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1957

Gunila in lovely pink wool suit worn over a silk chiffon blouse printed in shades of yellow, jacket is lined in same material, by Carven, hat by Cécile Billard, photo by Pjilippe Pottier, 1958

Ghislaine Arsac in gala ball gown of pale blue silk shantung with embroidered strapless bodice by Carven, photo by Guy Arsac, 1959