Founded in 1945 by Madame Carmen de Tommaso, the haute couture house was located on the Rond Point des Champs Elysées. She specialized in designing gowns for petite women, an absence in the market that she herself experienced. In Paris, Carven designs were worn by high society and celebrities, including Edith Piaf. In 1978, Air France hostesses wore Carven-designed uniforms. Carven drew inspiration from world travel, artistic motifs, and innovative visions of how to wear clothes.The couture house experienced great success in the late 1950s and 1960s overseas and Marcel Fenez produced a prêt á porter line for Carven in the early 60s.