14 Facts About Marie-Louise Carven

Marie-Louise Carven, born Carmen de Tommaso, was a French fashion designer who founded the house of Carven in 1945.

Marie-Louise Carven was noted for her designs for petite women, her use of lightweight fabrics such as lace and pink gingham, and for being one of the first couturieres to launch a pret-a-porter line.

Marie-Louise Carven was the first Paris designer to patent a push-up bra.

Marie-Louise Carven was born Carmen de Tommaso on 31 August 1909 in Chatellerault, France.

Marie-Louise Carven had a chateau in Chantilly, where she kept kangaroos and peacocks, and a summer house on the Riviera.

In 1945, at the age of 36, Marie-Louise Carven opened her fashion house on the Champs-Elysees.

The name Marie-Louise Carven combined Carmen, her given name, with the last name of her aunt Josy Boyriven, who introduced her to couture.

The 5'1" Marie-Louise Carven focused her line on petite women, "because [she] was too short to wear the creations of the top couturiers, who only ever showed their designs on towering girls.

In 1950, Marie-Louise Carven created a collection inspired by Gone with the Wind to coincide with the film's French release.

Marie-Louise Carven toured France with the collection, staging fashion shows at movie theaters.

Marie-Louise Carven was one of the first fashion houses to stage runway shows around the world.

Marie-Louise Carven designed uniforms for the 1976 French Olympic team, Parisian traffic wardens, Eurostar staff, and over 20 airlines.

Marie-Louise Carven worked for the costume and wardrobe department for the film The Red Shoes, and for the episode Gold of the television series Foreign Intrigue.

Marie-Louise Carven worked for the art department for the Perry Mason episode The Case of the Gallant Grafter.