Carven, the French Fashion Label, Has Filed for Bankruptcy

Carven, whose Fall 2012 collection featured dreamy Renaissance paintings on skirts that I’ve been coveting ever since I first laid eyes for them, has filed for bankruptcy.

The heritage French label had existed since 1945, but underwent a renaissance once Guillaume Henry was hired on as creative director for the brand in 2009. However, French newspaper Les Echoes reports that Carven had been “steadily deteriorating” since Henry’s departure from the brand in 2014. Carven shuttered its New York City retail store, folded the men’s line and according to Fashionista, the production of their Spring 2018 collection was so delayed that many retailers cancelled their orders.

The brand has been placed in receivership by the Paris Commercial Court, the French equivalent to filing for bankruptcy, and is seeking a new buyer.

Tangent: I once found a Carven coat for $30 at Beacon’s Closet when I was living in Manhattan and I consider it one of my most epic thrift finds ever. It’s a prissy Chanel-ish tweed-style jacket and looks like something Nancy Reagan might’ve worn. Now I’ll cherish it even more than ever considering the label’s future is now in jeopardy.