Crêpe, sequins
France, 1980s
Madame Grès (1903-1993) – French fashion designer
On the inside Madame Grès’ stitched star motif
Long sleeve tunic dress made of purple crêpe with square neck
Sequin embroidery at sleeves, collar and hem
Lateral zipper
Sleeve length: c. 67 cm
Back width: c. 40 cm
Total length: c. 112 cm
Good condition
Provenance: private property Marguerite Wood-Wessely (also called ‘Blackie’)

Condition:

The dress is in good condition with minor traces of wear. Partially slight soiling and further wear-related fading. The sleeve length measures c. 67 cm, the back width is c. 40 cm and the total length measures c. 112 cm.

Madame Grès (1903-1993)

Madame Grès, with common name Germaine Èmilie Krebs, worked primarily as a sculptor. Since sculptor was no adequate job for women in the 1930s, she switched into the métier of fashion and tailored for renowned couture houses. Under the name of Alix Barton she opened her first boutique in 1934 and made a name of her designs in the French world of fashion. Later she had the breakthrough with her salon ‘Grès’ – an anagram of the name from her husband Serge Czerefkov. Inspired by the sculptural aesthetic of Roman robes Madame Grès can be seen with her designs as a pioneer of the today’s minimalism in fashion. Typical for her fluent dresses were the asymmetrical cuts and cut-outs: ‘I always wanted to be a sculptor’, she said once. ‘It doesn’t matter, if I work with fabric or with stones.’ Prominent clients of her couture house were Jackie Onassis, Greta Garbo or Marlene Dietrich. Madame Grès was an apologist of the haute couture and changed unwillingly to prêt-à-porter. In 1959 she issued her first perfume ‘Cabochard’, other perfumes followed in the 1990s.

Shipping costs excl. statutory VAT and plus 2,5% (+VAT) shipping insurance.