Madame Grès, the Parisian haute couture fashion house founded by Germaine Emilie Krebs (see photographs 2,3,4,and 5 above)alas no longer exists having officially closed its doors in 1987. However, the Metropolitan Museum of Art has a fine collection of her gowns that look remarkably contemporary despite them being 50, 60, 70 years old. You can read a very nice histoire de Alix Grès here at Vogue, and here I give you some key points to remember when discussing Madame Grès at your next soirée:
1)pleats, created by hand then sewn together
2)lots of folds and drapes, bias cut, away from the body
3)Greco-roman influence, togas, capes, wraps, Asian and Eastern
influence
Images from: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Vogue, The Fashion Historian and Dossier.
Bluffer's guide points from: Vintage Fashion Guide
Comments