Guillaume Henry continues to transform Carven
Reuters
2012-03-01
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STORY: Carven unveiled a collection inspired by medieval times, with laser-cut dresses, stained-glass window prints and tapestry to evoke the spirit of the Middle Ages at Paris Fashion Week on Thursday (March 1).
Designer Guillaume Henry has only been at the helm of creative duties since 2009 but has quickly transformed the house, once known for its couture, to one that's young, fun, and becoming the new darling amongst fashion editors.
Styles were short and chic, Henry's signature design, but were infused with rich tapestry. The designer has also taken the peplum trend of the past few seasons and softened the shape, to one that still juts out from the hips but is rounder and creates the illusion of a smaller waist.
Colours were muted with mustard, navy and tan with bursts of red, turquoise and orange.
"For this collection we've been inspired by medieval art, by the Middle Age. We didn't do it to translate (to the) first degree, we still wanted to make it to be still young and fresh and appealing so we had in mind who would live in the city, a girl from today, but maybe she would pick prints inspired by Guillaume Bosch, you know the medieval painter. She would get volumes or inspired by all the girls with the tiny waists and huge hips. The shoes as well would be strong and even to make a strong walk, that was the idea," Henry told Reuters Television backstage.
Carven was acquired four years ago by two businessmen who hired Henry, formerly at Paule Ka and Givenchy, to revitalize the brand.
In a few collections, Henry infused new life into the name, which now generates about 20 million euros in annual sales.
Carven, which opened its first shop in Paris last March, is sold in 50 countries through 400 multi-brand or department stores such as Barneys and Bergdorf Goodman in New York, Galeries Lafayette in Paris, and Harvey Nichols in London.
Madame Carven, who created the label in 1945 and had Hollywood stars and princesses as clients, is now 102, making her one of the oldest renowned French fashion designers alive.
STORY: Carven unveiled a collection inspired by medieval times, with laser-cut dresses, stained-glass window prints and tapestry to evoke the spirit of the Middle Ages at Paris Fashion Week on Thursday (March 1).
Designer Guillaume Henry has only been at the helm of creative duties since 2009 but has quickly transformed the house, once known for its couture, to one that's young, fun, and becoming the new darling amongst fashion editors.
Styles were short and chic, Henry's signature design, but were infused with rich tapestry. The designer has also taken the peplum trend of the past few seasons and softened the shape, to one that still juts out from the hips but is rounder and creates the illusion of a smaller waist.
Colours were muted with mustard, navy and tan with bursts of red, turquoise and orange.
"For this collection we've been inspired by medieval art, by the Middle Age. We didn't do it to translate (to the) first degree, we still wanted to make it to be still young and fresh and appealing so we had in mind who would live in the city, a girl from today, but maybe she would pick prints inspired by Guillaume Bosch, you know the medieval painter. She would get volumes or inspired by all the girls with the tiny waists and huge hips. The shoes as well would be strong and even to make a strong walk, that was the idea," Henry told Reuters Television backstage.
Carven was acquired four years ago by two businessmen who hired Henry, formerly at Paule Ka and Givenchy, to revitalize the brand.
In a few collections, Henry infused new life into the name, which now generates about 20 million euros in annual sales.
Carven, which opened its first shop in Paris last March, is sold in 50 countries through 400 multi-brand or department stores such as Barneys and Bergdorf Goodman in New York, Galeries Lafayette in Paris, and Harvey Nichols in London.
Madame Carven, who created the label in 1945 and had Hollywood stars and princesses as clients, is now 102, making her one of the oldest renowned French fashion designers alive.
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