The Carven Code

In the city of light, the international shows are happening right now, and I’m noticing a push against the bright colors and digital prints over the past few years. Focused on basic blacks and white, covered-up sporty separates, or layered skirts over pants, there is a rise of modesty. I’m particularly fond of the designer Guillaume Henry for Carven, known as the “little engine that could” house, that just keeps churning out OMG stand-out textures, recognizable prints, and smart creations.

The Carven woman, elegant and vulnerable, loves cozy textural fabrics, and I can attest, so do I. A faithful label hunter, I admire the way Henry has his finger on the pulse of fashion. I was in awe of the all innocent young things, now grown up mascots at recent Carven shows, (just barely out of French school), and the way he plays with textures. This Carven dress, one of my all-time favorites, plays with an hourglass silhouette with thick sweatshirt fabric that adds the perfect twist to the norm. Paired with a black moto jacket for the right dose of swag, a vintage fur stole, my favorite Rag & Bone Newbury boots, and a bright clutch for a pop of color, this look experiments the play between spicy and sweet.

What I’m wearing, optimized links, et al. Stetson Cable Knit beanie, get a similar one from Acne , Carven dress, Dsquared2, Fendi vintage stole, Wolford tights, 3.1 Phillip Lim comic bag, get a similar one here, Rag & Bone Newbury camel boots.

If I were to pick an ice cream flavor that best epitomizes this dress it would be Baskin-Robbins’ Rocky Road. For those of you uninitiated, it is chocolate ice cream with almonds, overflowing with tiny marshmallows. And it’s awesomely delicious. Am I right or what? Peep below.

Comfy like a teddy bear without the bulk, I adore the Frenchness of this dress. In conclusion, one thing is for sure.

Photography: Lydia Hudgens

Try as I might, I can wear French clothes and eat French things, but I will never be French. But I can laugh in slow motion!

For Carven’s Fall 2013 collection in Paris, appealing to the label’s faithfuls, he turned up the volume on rounded oversize coats in baby blue, pink, camel and blush. Look at the short- sleeved glossy pink fur paired with a black pencil skirt. No convincing necessary.