Mrs. Dalloway’s contemporary feminine image created in CARVEN FW17 collection

“Mrs. Dalloway said she would buy the flowers herself.” – For Fall/Winter 2017-2018, the Carven woman is Mrs. Dalloway. She is no heroine of the past, but rather a Mrs. Dalloway of the digital age: committed, passionate, feminine, feminist, active, connected, and curious. And if the mythical Clarissa haunted London’s hot spots, the Carven woman remains viscerally attached to Paris.

The two women nevertheless share a taste for an elegant femininity, without aggressiveness, and, of course, flowers. The shape of magnolia petals thus inspired the sleeves on silk crepe dresses and tops, softly accentuating the shoulder line. The delicately scalloped V-neck neckline on a crepe zippered jacket, worn with matching pants, recalls the lines of lily flowers.The elegant movement of arum flowers is reproduced in the form of light ruffles on an ice blue blouse, or a pale pink cocktail dress.

The soothing palette of powdery tones – blush, ecru and pastels – ice blue and zephyr green contrasts with deep black and a vibrant Hanoi green. Shades of silver, copper and champagne are accentuated by a play on textured fabrics that include velvet and fur. Metallic details abound: a belt buckle cinches a tartan coat, studs invade the upper part of a pink woolen coat or highlight the waist on a lightly pleated dress, and a drawstring circles the collar of a leather and crepe top. Along with a gingham print and an abstract floral pattern, they bring a graphic touch to a soft collection. Inspired by the archives, the off-the-shoulder coats and dresses rank among the classic items of an iconic house that will open a new chapter in its fascinating history next season.