1903-1994 Madame Grès

[SomethingElse]

From the mid 1960s.

Book Description
Her jersey draperies belong to the legends of haute couture. This amazing figure, who looked like a nun, was a viruoso who knew just how to pay tribute to the movement and freedom of the body. Within the boundaries of exoticism and adventure, she illuminated Paris with her genius before vanishing into oblivion. Beyond all her fashions, Madame Gres remains a myth.

About the Author
Laurence Benaim is a journalist and directs the fashion pages at Le Monde. She has written a biography of Yves Saint Laurent (Grasset, 1993).

vintagefashionguild.org . amazon.com

 

[BetteT]

All images: Luxe-magazine.com

 

[BetteT]

"Here are two evening gowns: a white, pleated silk jersey, 1971; and a Bordeaux pleated silk jersey, 1969. Photo courtesy of The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco"

SFGAte.com

 

[BetteT]

www.intellego.fr

 

[DosViolines]

The gowns from post #43 are just gorgeous!

 

[eugenius]

Thanks for posting! Along w/ Vionnet & Schiaparelli, she was definitely one fo my faves from the "golden age" of haute couture..

 

[DosViolines]

Gres Paisley Print Gown
French, 1960s
The sleeveless sheath of apple green silk tussah overlaid with bias A-line green silk organza with mauve, marigold, purple and tangerine scrolling motifs, the slash neckline and armscye trimmed with encrusted two inch band of similarly colored faceted rhinestones in various sizes, size 8, labeled: Gres/1 Rue de la Paix/Paris.

doylenewyork

 

[DosViolines]

MADAME GRES TROUSER SUIT, 1970S
sleeveless, in brown and purple

christies

 

[DosViolines]

MADAME GRES DRESS, 1930S
of burnt orange and chocolate brown draped silk jersey, with integral shoulder cape

christies

 

[DosViolines]

Gres Columnar Gown and Cashmere Coat Evening Ensemble
French, 1967
In peach and apricot silk jersey, the strapless empire bodice worked with fine bicolor asymmetrical pleating, the sheath skirt with two consecutive draped panels of peach at center front and apricot wrapping around rear, snap closures, the floor length flared coat of mocha cashmere lined in peach silk taffeta with hood trimmed in sable, three-quarter length sleeves, hook and eye closure at neckline.

doylenewyork

 

[DosViolines]

Gres Two-Tiered Bubble Dress
French, mid 1950s
Of black silk tissue taffeta, sleeveless bodice with original decollete neckline inset with faux bib and bateau neckline at a later date, bib yoke, black velvet ribbon waistband to tie at back, double bubble skirt, size 12, labeled: Gres/1 Rue de la Paix/Paris.

doylenewyork

 

[SomethingElse]

An interesting Madame Grès floor length cape, 1960s, labelled, with one arm-hole two buttons to fasten at the neck, and large swathe of fabric that is draped over the other shoulder Roman emperor style.

kerrytaylorauctions.com

 

[SomethingElse]

Brick red tweed cape and matching skirt, early 1960s, labelled, cleverley cut with wide low inset sleeves, integral scarf panels, the skirt with large patch pocket.

kerrytaylorauctions.com

 

[DosViolines]

Madame (Alix) Grès (France, Paris, 1903 - 1993-11-24)
Woman's Evening Gown, 1935
Costume/clothing principle attire/entire body, Bias-cut silk taffeta

lacma.org

 

[DosViolines]

Germaine Emilie Krebs (1903 – 1993) began her career under the name “Alix Barton” and only became known as Madame Grès after 1942. She is best known for her perfection in the art of pleating and draping. A great sculptress of fashion, Madame Grès is represented here by this chic ensemble that was donated by Mrs. Walter Paepcke. A major exhibition, Madame Grès: The Sphinx of Fashion, will open at the Museum at FIT in February, 2008.

Madame Grès, afternoon dress and jacket, gray wool, circa 1950, France, worn by donor, Mrs. Walter Paepcke née Elizabeth Nitze, photograph by Irving Solero

fitnyc

 

[SomethingElse]

Black and white taffeta ball gown, early 1950s, labelled` Grès, 1, Rue de la Paix, Paris', cleverly constructed, with a play of black against white, the boned strapless bodice with ties to one side, double layered pin-dot taffeta skirt with contrasting white silk lining, hitched in a double bow to one hip.

kerrytaylorauctions.com

 

[SomethingElse]

Ball gown, mid 1950s, labelled `Grès, 1 Rue de la Paix, Paris', the elaborately boned strapless bodice edged in garlands of silk blossom and roses, the dress formed from four layers of white and yellow chiffon, organza and taffeta and a final translucent overlay of glistening white horsehair which gives glimpses of the primrose yellow layers below and also ensures a perfect silhouette.

kerrytaylorauctions.com

 

[SomethingElse]

Navy pleated jersey evening gown, circa 1960, labelled, the fitted bodice with split to centre front and with vertical splits running down the centre back and to either side with small tabs to hold them in place.

kerrytaylorauctions.com

 

[SomethingElse]

Ivory silk jersey and chiffon evening gown, late 1950s - early 1960s, labelled, '1 Rue de la Paix, Paris', white label, the empire line bodice with tight horizontal pleats and two knots, the jersey gown flows in a column below, with matching chiffon stole.

kerrytaylorauctions.com

 

[SomethingElse]

Clevely constructed Madame Grès brown and orange bias cut jersey evening gown, early 1970s, bearing narrow white `Gres, Paris' and made in France labels, handwritten tag numbered 11892, 158 Marie Ange', with orange silk inner bodice, complicated fastenings by zips, hooks, eyes, prestuds, the bodice with two long brown floating panels which can be worn as a train or swathed round the body.

kerrytaylorauctions.com