1950 Carven Haute Couture for Cécile Aubry Lilac Yellow Ombré Silk Corset Strapless Hooded Gown

This incredibly rare and absolutely breathtaking museum worthy Marie-Louise Carven ombré lilac purple and yellow tiered silk strapless gown dates back to her 1950 spring-summer haute couture collection. French fashion designer Carven was noted as "the smallest of big couturiers", dressing some of the most famous stars of her day. She was well known for her mastery of lightweight fabrics, and for being among the first couturiers to successfully launch a prêt-à-porter line. For this incredible collection, Carven drew inspiration from the Holy Year, naming many designs after Biblical figures and incorporating head veils on evening gowns that echoed sacred, devotional imagery. Titled “Marie-Madeline,” this extraordinary dress was custom-made for French actress Cécile Aubry. For a short time, Aubry was a Hollywood success, signing a lucrative contract with Fox and regularly appearing in French film magazines as an example of the perfect hybrid of Franco-American femininity. We were thrilled to uncover numerous period photographs of her wearing this masterpiece. Most remarkably, we found the original 1950 spring-summer haute couture documentation for the design, offering rare archival provenance and historical significance. Fashioned in softly graduated hues of yellow, pale pink and lilac purple, the strapless bodice is meticulously wrapped in micro-pleated silk chiffon. It is edged with an ornate band of hand-applied embellishments—pearls, rhinestones, and iridescent drops that catch the light with every movement. The nipped-waist silhouette descends into delicately tiered skirting, each layer gently bloused to create volume while maintaining the airy, floating quality. The most dramatic feature is the elongated loop of ombré silk chiffon attached at the back, designed to be styled in multiple ways. It may be worn as a hooded veil in keeping with the collection’s theme, arranged as a neck scarf, or draped as a fluid shawl, allowing you to transform the gown with intention. Surviving examples from Carven’s Holy Year collection are exceedingly scarce, particularly those with documented celebrity ownership. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a sensational fashion artifact—one that belongs equally in a museum or with a collector who understands the artistic value of this historic couture creation.