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Legendary French fashion designer passes away

Marie-Louise Carven, founder of the fashion brand Carven, died on Monday aged 105. "She passed away on Monday at her home" in Paris, said Catherine Degueldre, secretary of the Grog-Carven Association. 

Marie-Louis Carven, seen in this 2002 file picture, passed away at the age of 105.
Marie-Louis Carven, seen in this 2002 file picture, passed away at the age of 105. AFP PHOTO / JOEL SAGET
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Carven, who opened her fashion house in Paris in 1945, was born Carmen de Tommaso on August 31, 1909 in central France.

She started designing dresses for her friends in the late 20s thus gradually building a network of clients.

Her designs were an instant hit particularly in post war Paris as people aspired for something light and unpretentious after years of deprivation and hardship.

Carven had a five-decade long career which was founded on the idea that style should belong to all, not just to tall, skinny models.

She only gave up designing in 1993, in her 84th year, to concentrate on a passion for old furniture and antiques.

In 2009, the French government paid tribute to her as "one of the most eminent creative forces in French and international fashion".

Together with her husband, Rene Grog, she also built up a major collection of objets d'art which was later donated to the Louvre museum, where many of the items are now on permanent display.

Today her fashion house has abandoned haute couture to focus on ready-to-wear. It has also diversified into children's collections, scarves and jewellery.
 

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