Carven is French, way French. It was founded in 1945 by Madame Carmen de Tommaso established this fashion house with an atelier on the Champs-Élysées. Initially launched to cater for petite women (Madame Carven herself stood at 5ft 1in) the label's clientele quickly grew to include European royalty and stars from the big screen. Though she had no formal training, she began to produce couture style pieces that were, for the first time, affordable and accessible.

Madame Carmen promoted a particularly democratic vision of women’s fashion you see, her pieces were sexy, but elegant and feminine. Her designs captured the spirit of accessible, everyday luxury pieces, and were for a woman unshackled by conventions.

The brand went nuts, Parisian women went wild.

Today, Guilliame Henry is the head designer of the label (formerly of Givenchy) and in the last couple of seasons, it has really come into its own with muted colours and sexy feminine shapes. Carven also produce a men's wear line, Carmen Man, though this is yet to make it to our shores.

These clothes are totally Frenchy and chic. Find them in Melbourne at Belinda.

www.carven.fr