Carven by Pascal Millet: A Tutti-Frutti & Delightful Summer
By Mari Davis
Photos by FW

PARIS, Jan 22, 2004/ FW/ --- The moment you walk in the Musée Galliera, the first thing that was so noticeable was there were more clients than press among the audience.

The high-powered fashion press was missing from the front row. Instead, those hard-to-come by seats were occupied by the House’s select and very loyal clientele.

The two halls were filled to capacity, showing that Carven might be small in size among the giant couture houses, but it makes it up in terms of its client base.

So, when the lights dimmed and the music started, there was a certain anticipatory hush among the audience.

And when the first piece, an embroidered salt & pepper dress with a matching bolero, followed by an embroidered salt & pepper suit and the polka dots of the inside shell created with embroidery, there was a burst of applause from the audience.

With these two pieces, Pascal Millet already made his statement for his show – summer should be fun, be it in the confines of the city or in the south of Spain.

The designer sent out artful yet very wearable pieces, mixing tailored and fluid silhouettes in the collection.

The Spanish inspired gowns though voluminous did not look heavy with Pascal Millet’s wonderful draping of the fabric and choosing body-hugging bodices, starting with the layering below the hips.

The emphasis was on the shoulder, with spaghetti straps or strapless gowns, matched with exquisitely embroidered pashima shawls.

His audience was enthralled, his clientele very pleased, as evidenced by the applause as each model pass by.

So when the models took their final walk, and Pascal Millet took his bow, the designer received a standing ovation worthy of his beautiful collection.

Carven by Pascal Millet

Carven by Pascal Millet

Carven by Pascal Millet

Carven by Pascal Millet