We’ve been big fans of designer Guillaume Henry’s charmingly off-kilter bourgeois chic propositions at Carven ever since he took the reins of the quietly storied French maison two years ago.

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His first ever Carven Pre-Collection for Spring 2012 is packed with the kind of easily wearable and distinctively designed pieces that should take this label from the minor leagues to cult status without fail.

Carven Pre-Spring 2012

Taking his cue from a holiday in Switzerland, Henry added a playful addition of vintage map and postcard collage prints on separates that were layered with his

ageless appeal, just look at 50-something Ines De La Fressange who looked effortlessly chic in Carven

now signature must-have cropped jackets, collared shirts, cuffed high-waisted shorts, and lampshade & pinafore dresses, all with an enviable sense of déshabillé.

And while khaki’s and neutrals made for the bulk of the collection, Henry’s insouciant bow shoes also made a return, updated in delicious vivid techno hues for an energizing jolt of femininity.

With Henry’s remarkably studied vision comes the re-birth of a label with a limitless reach, what with it’s friendlier price-points and ageless appeal, just look at 50-something Ines De La Fressange who looked effortlessly chic in Carven at this past May’s Cannes Film Festival in a Grecian column from the label.

Favorite looks from Carven Pre-Spring 2012:

Carven, in store now:

More Carven…

Photos: Carven

Photographer: Jean-Etienne Portail

Model: Jlynn Norvell @ Marilyn

Make up and hair: Laurent Molle @ Airport