Madame Grès

1903-1993

Born Germaine Émilie Krebs, Madame Grès began working in the 1930s. In 1933, on the Rue de Miromesnil in Paris, she partnered with couturière Julie Barton to open Maison Alix Barton, which later became Maison Alix in 1934, on the Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré. She quickly found success with her designs, which evoke ancient statuary through her signature draping technique perfectly adapted to modern life.

date unknown

haute couture autumn-winter 1942

c. 1963

haute couture autumn-winter 1949

c. 1979

alix 1935-1936

haute couture autumn-winter 1977

haute couture spring-summer 1987

date unknown

haute couture autumn-winter 1976

haute couture autumn-winter 1984

Date unknown

c. 1961

haute couture spring-summer 1975

haute couture spring-summer 1952

haute couture autumn-winter 1980

c. 1968

haute couture autumn-winter 1986

autumn-winter 1969-1970

haute couture autumn-winter 1976

c. 1946-1947

haute couture spring-summer 1956

attributed to Madame Grès, c. 1950

c. 1980

alix c. 1945

date unknown

c. 1940

haute couture spring-summer 1959

c. 1970

haute couture 1973

c. 1973

haute couture spring-summer 1957

haute couture autumn-winter 1967

late 1960s

haute couture spring-summer 1977

haute couture spring-summer 1977

haute couture spring-summer 1970

c. 1980

early 1940s

c. 1980

c. 1970

haute couture autumn-winter 1969

c. 1976

c. 1981

Alix, c. 1935

Alix, haute couture 1935

late 1960s-mid-1980s

attributed to Madame Grès 1945-1949

c. 1936

c. 1949

haute couture autumn-winter 1951-1952

c. 1947

haute couture spring-summer 1955

c. 1956

haute couture autumn-winter 1976

haute couture spring-summer 1975

c. 1960

haute couture spring-summer 1977

c. 1936

c. 1937

haute couture autumn-winter 1934-1935

haute couture autumn-winter 1971

c. 1973

haute couture spring-summer 1976

c. 1980

autumn-winter 1983

c. 1975

c. 1979

early 1970s

c. 1970

  • date unknown

    Dress, Madame Grès

    Long-sleeved dress in black silk jersey, entirely pleated on the front with a braided motif at the waist

    date unknown

    FAA.GRE.0035

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • haute couture autumn-winter 1942

    Dress, Madame Grès

    Long-sleeved day dress in black silk jersey, pleated on the front side

    haute couture 1942

    FAA.GRE.0014

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • c. 1963

    Evening dress, Madame Grès

    Asymmetrical evening dress in black jersey, with long train falling freely in the deep V-cut back

    c. 1963

    FAA.GRE.0405

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • haute couture autumn-winter 1949

    Evening Dress, Madame Grès

    Evening dress in black pleated silk jersey

    haute couture 1949

    FAA.GRE.0047

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • c. 1979

    Dress, Madame Grès

    Sleeveless evening dress in black silk crepe

    c. 1979

    FAA.GRE.0401

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • alix 1935-1936

    Evening dress, Alix

    Evening dress in black silk velvet with Antiquity-inspired silhouette

    1935-1936

    FAA.ALI.0002

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • haute couture autumn-winter 1977

    Evening dress, Madame Grès

    Evening dress with an ample silhouette in dark brown silk taffeta with off-white tie collar

    haute couture 1977

    FAA.GRE.0015

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • haute couture spring-summer 1987

    Evening dress, Madame Grès

    Evening dress in white duchess satin with a long voluminous cape in burgundy taffeta, gathered seams at the hips

    haute couture 1987

    FAA.GRE.0059

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • date unknown

    Evening dress, Madame Grès

    Sleeveless evening dress in black faille with an empire waist, and open front with tied bow in grenadine silk satin

    date unknown

    FAA.GRE.0105

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • haute couture autumn-winter 1976

    Evening dress, Madame Grès

    Evening dress in raspberry silk taffeta, wide batwing sleeves attached at two small points in front, encrusted waistband and ample skirt

    haute couture 1976

    FAA.GRE.0197

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • haute couture autumn-winter 1984

    Evening dress, Madame Grès

    Evening dress in imperial red silk jersey with deep v-neckline framed by a gathered panel fixed in the front left side and draped around the shoulders

    haute couture 1984

    FAA.GRE.0031

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • Date unknown

    Cocktail dress, Madame Grès

    Cocktail dress in imperial red silk velvet with dolman short sleeves, rounded neckline in the front and deep rounded cut in back, skirt pleated on the right side

    Date unknown

    FAA.GRE.0082

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • c. 1961

    Evening dress, Madame Grès

    Asymmetrical evening dress in burgundy silk velvet with drop-waist silhouette, voluminous skirt with gathered seams

    c. 1961

    FAA.GRE.0040

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • haute couture spring-summer 1975

    Evening dress, Madame Grès

    Antiquity-inspired evening dress in olive green silk jersey, ribbon straps in beige satin with a tie at the right shoulder, openings on both sides of the bust

    haute couture 1975

    FAA.GRE.0032

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • haute couture spring-summer 1952

    Evening dress, Madame Grès

    Asymmetrical evening dress in black silk faille line with silver silk satin

    haute couture 1952

    FAA.GRE.0046

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • haute couture autumn-winter 1980

    Evening dress, Madame Grès

    Asymmetrical evening dress in black velvet silk, abstract cut-out bodice, full skirt with pleats in the back

    haute couture 1980

    FAA.GRE.0037

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • c. 1968

    Evening dress, Madame Grès

    Evening dress in black velvet silk, transparent inlay around the midriff made of black chiffon

    c. 1968

    FAA.GRE.0038

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • haute couture autumn-winter 1986

    Evening dress, Madame Grès

    Evening dress in black silk crepe with triangular transparent panels in black silk organza inlayed at the hips, underskirt in black silk organza

    haute couture 1986

    FAA.GRE.0022

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • autumn-winter 1969-1970

    Dress, Madame Grès

    Long dress in olive green wool jersey with v-neckline and three-quarter length sleeves

    1969-1970

    FAA.GRE.0063

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • haute couture autumn-winter 1976

    Cape, Madame Grès

    Cape in mustard silk with v-neckline, long triangle shape in back, pleated and belted at the waist with open front

    haute couture 1976

    FAA.GRE.0155

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • c. 1946-1947

    Day dress, Madame Grès

    Long day dress in terracotta silk crepe, long and wide sleeves

    c. 1946-1947

    FAA.GRE.0419

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • haute couture spring-summer 1956

    Robe de cocktail, Madame Grès

    Cocktail dress in pearl grey silk, kimono sleeves, deep neckline in the back lined by two free-falling panels extending until the hemline

    haute couture 1956

    FAA.GRE.0175

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • attributed to Madame Grès, c. 1950

    Dress, Madame Grès

    Short-sleeved dress in champagne silk jersey and a deep sweetheart neckline, smocked seams around the waistline and at the collar bone

    c. 1950

    FAA.GRE.0074

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • c. 1980

    Evening dress, Madame Grès

    Dark gray silk jersey cape jacket and halter-cut evening dress, gray beaded embroidery, belt at the waist with beaded fringe trimming

    c. 1980

    FAA.GRE.0005.1-2

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • alix c. 1945

    Evening dress, Alix

    Long draped evening dress in taupe gray pleated silk jersey with deep v-neckline, fluid skirt draped at the hip level

    c. 1945

    FAA.ALI.003

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • date unknown

    Evening dress, Madame Grès

    Evening dress in blush pink silk organza, ample and voluminous silhouette

    date unknown

    FAA.GRE.0093

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • c. 1940

    Dress, Madame Grès

    Bicolored dress made of silk organza, pale pink short-sleeved bodice closed by two vertical ties, black full skirt

    c. 1940

    FAA.GRE.

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • haute couture spring-summer 1959

    Dress, Madame Grès

    Outer dress layer of an evening gown in bright green and rhubarb silk organdy

    haute couture 1959

    FAA.GRE.0045

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • c. 1970

    Evening dress, Madame Grès

    Evening dress in light gray tulle, long wide and puffy sleeves tightened at the wrists, beading at the bust, full long skirt with ivory silk crepe underskirt

    c. 1970

    FAA.GRE.0362.1-2

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • haute couture 1973

    Evening dress, Madame Grès

    Evening dress in lemon yellow silk jersey with longue sleeves attached to the integrated interior bustier, cascading pleats around the waist with a full skirt

    haute couture 1973

    FAA.GRE.0407.1-2

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • c. 1973

    Dress, Madame Grès

    Pleated full skirt and halter style bustier top in lemon yellow silk jersey, lace-up open back, pleated and full skirt

    c. 1973

    FAA.GRE.0404.1-3/0404.2-3

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • haute couture spring-summer 1957

    Evening dress , Madame Grès

    Asymmetrical evening dress in pale yellow silk jersey with tied velvet bands on right side, pleating on the bodice and the full skirt

    haute couture 1957

    FAA.GRE.0034

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • haute couture autumn-winter 1967

    Evening dress, Madame Grès

    Asymmetrical evening dress in black silk crepe, the torso is highlighted by three bands in turquoise, yellow, and red, geometric cut out at the right side of the waist

    haute couture 1967

    FAA.GRE.0017

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • late 1960s

    Beach dress, Madame Grès

    Apron-style beach dress in crayfish red duchess satin with an empire waist and high neckline, underdress in red flame silk

    late 1960s

    FAA.GRE.0055

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • haute couture spring-summer 1977

    Dress, Madame Grès

    High-waist pleated wide culottes and short rectangular bodice in off-white faille, straps on bodice made of a sun yellow wool knit cord laced in back

    haute couture 1977

    FAA.GRE.0260.1-2

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • haute couture spring-summer 1977

    Vest, Madame Grès

    Asymmetrical cut vest in sun yellow wool, draped neckline, armhole one-button closure on the right side with an open front

    haute couture 1977

    FAA.GRE.0349

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • haute couture spring-summer 1970

    Beach dress, Madame Grès

    Apron-style beach dress in indigo silk organza with white horizontal stripes, open back with crossed straps

    haute couture 1970

    FAA.GRE.0028

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • c. 1980

    Cocktail dress, Madame Grès

    Cocktail dress with long sleeves in blue marine silk faille, rounded collar and wrists decorated with strawberry-shaped pleats, flared skirt

    c.1980

    FAA.GRE.0138

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • early 1940s

    Dress, Madame Grès

    Mid-length long-sleeved day dress in navy blue wool, flared skirt

    early 1940s

    FAA.GRE.0413

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • c. 1980

    Dress, Madame Grès

    Long dress in black silk crepe, straight and fluid cut, crew neck, sleeveless

    c. 1980

    FAA.GRE.0403

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • c. 1970

    Dress, Madame Grès

    Tunic dress in black wool jersey

    c. 1970

    FAA.GRE.0345

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • haute couture autumn-winter 1969

    Dress, Madame Grès

    Long-sleeved short tunic in black silk crepe, large eclipse-shaped cutout at the left waist with an open slit

    haute couture 1969

    FAA.GRE.0200

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • c. 1976

    Dress, Madame Grès

    Long caftan-style dress in black velvet lined in black satin, cutout at the neckline, creating a double-strap effect, three-quarter large sleeves

    c. 1976

    FAA.GRE.0421

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • c. 1981

    Dress, Madame Grès

    Long-sleeved dress composed of black silk taffeta, drop waist full skirt with several sarouel panels lined with raspberry silk taffeta

    c. 1981

    FAA.GRE.0004

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • Alix, c. 1935

    Dress, Alix

    Long dress in black moire silk with a small Italian collar neckline, long fluid skirt embellished with an underskirt cut on the bias

    c. 1935

    FAA.ALI.0001

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • Alix, haute couture 1935

    Evening dress, Alix

    Long evening dress in black embossed silk faille lined with black woven cloth, fitted bodice with thin straps attached at the lower back, and voluminous skirt

    haute couture 1935

    FAA.GRE.0042

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • late 1960s-mid-1980s

    Dress, Madame Grès

    Short dress in black silk crepe, deep V neckline in the front and back, large armhole cutouts, pleated waist

    late 1960s-mid-1980s

    FAA.GRE.0151

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • attributed to Madame Grès 1945-1949

    Dress, Madame Grès

    Day dress in black silk jersey with finely pleated alternating panels on the bust and lining the back neckline, short draped sleeves

    1945-1949

    FAA.GRE.0409

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • c. 1936

    Dress, Madame Grès

    Day dress in black silk crepe tied and buttoned in front

    c. 1936

    FAA.GRE.0414

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • c. 1949

    Dress, Madame Grès

    Afternoon dress in black ottoman silk, large shawl collar creating a deep back neckline and draping in the front, three-quarter length raglan sleeves, flare skirt

    haute couture c. 1949

    FAA.GRE.0140

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • haute couture autumn-winter 1951-1952

    Cocktail dress, Madame Grès

    Cocktail dress in black silk taffeta with small collar, hips accented by a voluminous draped and pleated peplum

    haute couture 1951-1952

    FAA.GRE.0139

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • c. 1947

    Dress, Madame Grès

    Strapless dress in off-white silk jersey, thin gathered twisted pleats drawn on both sides, pleated skirt

    c. 1947

    FAA.GRE.0406

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • haute couture spring-summer 1955

    Evening dress, Madame Grès
    Evening dress in ivory silk jersey, entirely pleated

    haute couture 1955

    FAA.GRE.0067

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • c. 1956

    Evening dress, Madame Grès

    Evening dress in off-white silk jersey with vertical and horizontal pleats on the bust, encrusted and pleated arabesque panel wrapping around the front

    c. 1956

    FAA.GRE.0092

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • haute couture autumn-winter 1976

    Evening dress, Madame Grès
    Evening dress in white silk jersey with pleated bodice and skirt

    haute couture 1976

    FAA.GRE.0024

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • haute couture spring-summer 1975

    Evening dress, Madame Grès

    Evening dress in white silk jersey, voluminous skirt with asymmetrical hemline

    haute couture 1975

    FAA.GRE.0025

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • c. 1960

    Evening dress, Madame Grès

    Evening dress in white jersey with draped and horizontal pleats on the torso, long draped full sleeves

    c. 1960

    FAA.GRE.0036

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • haute couture spring-summer 1977

    Evening dress, Madame Grès
    Evening dress in Bordeaux silk chiffon, straight skirt

    haute couture 1977

    FAA.GRE.0064

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • c. 1936

    Evening dress, Madame Grès

    Long evening dress in black silk taffeta, fitted bodice with cutouts, backless

    long flared skirt

    c. 1936

    FAA.GRE.0415

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • c. 1937

    Evening dress, Madame Grès

    Evening dress in burgundy silk jersey, wrap neckline

    c. 1937

    FAA.GRE.0056

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • haute couture autumn-winter 1934-1935

    Evening dress, Madame Grès

    Evening dress in light violet silk satin cut on the bias, gathered horizontal seam at the bust, crossed straps in back

    haute couture 1934-1935

    FAA.GRE.0420

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • haute couture autumn-winter 1971

    Evening dress, Madame Grès
    Evening dress in raspberry silk crepe, tied at the waist

    haute couture 1971

    FAA.GRE.0019

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • c. 1973

    Evening dress, Madame Grès

    Asymmetrical evening dress in coral silk jersey cut on the bias, sleeveless Roman tunic silhouette with panel fixed in the back wrapping around to the front

    c. 1973

    FAA.GRE.0052

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • haute couture spring-summer 1976

    Evening dress, Madame Grès

    Evening dress made of coral silk jersey, braided band neckline

    haute couture 1976

    FAA.GRE.0027.2-2

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • c. 1980

    Dress, Madame Grès

    Ensemble composed of a long tunic and skirt made of thin pleated jersey paneled with alternating colors of dark purple, forest green, and raspberry, ample silhouette

    c. 1980

    FAA.GRE.0256.1-2

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • autumn-winter 1983

    Evening dress, Madame Grès

    Antiquity-inspired evening dress in blue silk jersey, draped neckline, long sleeves with opening on the underside and pleated bands around the wrists

    1983

    FAA.GRE.0044

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • c. 1975

    Evening dress, Madame Grès

    Evening dress with straps in blue green silk crepe, wraparound silhouette with a draped panel in the back

    c. 1975

    FAA.GRE.0049

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • c. 1979

    Evening dress, Madame Grès
    Evening dress in lapis blue silk crepe with straight silhouette

    c. 1979

    FAA.GRE.0051

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • early 1970s

    Evening dress, Madame Grès
    Evening dress in royal blue silk crepe with asymmetrical neckline

    Early 1970s

    FAA.GRE.0411

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray

  • c. 1970

    Evening dress, Madame Grès

    Short-sleeved draped evening dress in royal blue silk jersey, pleated at the waist

    c. 1970

    FAA.GRE.0021

    Azzedine Alaïa Foundation

    Ph. Colin Gray