Forever credited with having altered the fashion world with her pleated silk dresses, Madame Grès was one of the greatest couturiers of the 20th century. She defied the orders of Nazi soldiers and designed gowns and evening dresses that mirrored the colors and pattern of the French flag, working by hand with material that hung directly from live models. A consummate artist, Grès created garments that were demonstrative of exemplary construction and meticulous attention to detail — her signature floor-length gowns left a lasting impact on every aspect of haute couture.
Born Germaine Émilie Krebs to a French Jewish family in Paris, Grès initially studied painting and sculpture. For her, making dresses and working in sculpture were one and the same, and she pursued a career in fashion. Grès worked in millinery and was trained in haute couture dressmaking at the illustrious House of Prémet.
Grès opened her inaugural couture fashion house in 1932, and within a couple of years she began working under the name Alix Barton — the surname came from her coworker, couturier Julie Barton — calling her business La Maison Alix and creating gowns until 1942 in what became her signature style. She perfected modern pleating techniques and worked directly on live models, mostly with generous amounts of silk jersey and airy silk paper taffeta. Her designs showed the influence of Greco-Roman sculpture and would go on to help shape the work of Jean-Paul Gaultier, Jil Sander and Azzedine Alaïa, who also thought of haute couture as sculpture.
Grès’s work was photographed by the likes of Horst P. Horst, and her gowns for Jean Giraudaux’s play The Trojan War Will Not Take Place in 1935 established her as a leading designer, though Nazi occupation stalled her growth.
During WWII, Grès refused to design the utilitarian garb that German forces requested and instead made clothes using the colors of the French flag as her own act of rebellion. Ultimately, she was forced to close her boutique in Paris. The designer married Russian painter Serge Czerefkov, changed her name to Grès — which is how her husband signed his name — and fled to the Pyrenees before returning to establish her second couture house under her new name.
Madame Grès’s second maison was widely successful and attracted a long list of rich and powerful clientele ranging from movie stars to royalty. A single dress could take hundreds of hours to complete. Some of the couturier’s clients became deeply loyal over the course of her career, including the Duchess of Windsor, Oscar-winning actresses Grace Kelly and Greta Garbo, iconic Tiffany & Co. jewelry designer Paloma Picasso and former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. Grès guarded her personal life closely and let her delicate, impeccable work speak for itself.
Original Madame Grès evening dresses and gowns, coats, jackets and day dresses, which transformed women into Greek deities, are held in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum at FIT and the Musée Bourdelle.
“Her dresses were about a sense of power, strength and beauty, not objectification,” explains Patricia Mears, deputy director of the Museum at FIT and author of Madame Grès: Sphinx of Fashion. “Everyone knows Chanel, Dior and Saint Laurent,” Mears says, “but I believe that the great triumvirate was Madeleine Vionnet, Balenciaga and Madame Grès — those who knew how to make clothes with their own hands, couturiers in the old sense of the word.”
Find vintage Madame Grès clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
A Velvet Chasuble dress by Madame Grès Haute Couture (attributed to) Circa 1980
By Madame Gres
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 1980 France Elegant black silk velvet Chasuble evening dress by Madame Grès Haute Couture (attributed to) dating from the 1980s. Minimalist Chasuble cut with two large triangul...
White sleeveless silk jacquard cocktail dress with shell pattern Grès Paris
By Madame Gres
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
White sleeveless silk jacquard cocktail dress ( or wedding dress ) with shell pattern. Zip in the middle back + hook&eye. Silk lining. Could be a show or commercial sample because i...
A Madame Grès Couture Evening Dress - Autumn Winter 1953
By Madame Gres
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 1953. France Grand Soir dress in black silk faille by Madame Grès Haute Couture, 1953 collection (similar dress, cover of "l'Officiel de la Couture" n°381, 1953) with a very ar...
Madame Grès Haute Couture Tomato Red Silk Cocktail Dress, 1970s
By Madame Gres
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Creatively constructed dress by the fabulous Madame Grès. Vibrant tomato red silk twill knee length cocktail dress. Intricate darting and seam-work make for a unique silhouette. Mini...
Madame Grès Haute Couture 1956 Pleated Chartreuse Yellow Jersey Hellenic Gown
By Madame Gres
Located in Jersey City, NJ
A true relic of 20th-century fashion history, this original Madame Grès Haute Couture gown from 1956 embodies the sculptural elegance and technical mastery that define her legacy. Cr...
Sublime MADAME GRÉS Ivory Satin textured Cream Vintage pencil Skirt
By Madame Gres
Located in Sheffield, GB
An Opulent Vintage Satin skirt by French couturier MADAME GRÉS. Featuring a fascinating textured cream satin jacquard, high waist band with concealed zip closure at the back, fully ...
1981 Madame Gres Haute Couture Silk Taffeta Skirt & Blouse Ensemble w/Shoes
By Madame Gres
Located in Studio City, CA
A 1981 Madame Gres haute couture dark scarlet silk taffeta skirt and blouse ensemble with matching high-heeled shoes size 6 1/2. Features the iconic...
Madame Grès Haute Couture Black Silk Faille Evening Dress, c. 1965
By Madame Gres
Located in London, GB
Haute Couture black silk faille evening dress by Madame Grès, circa 1965. The design features a square neckline with narrow shoulder straps and a high-waisted, sculpted bodice compos...
Elegant Haute Couture Madame Gres Anthracite Silk Crepe Ensemble
By Madame Gres
Located in New York, NY
Elegant Madame Gres Anthracite Silk Crepe Ensemble from the 1970's. Simple ensemble with underdress and top. Top slips over head with button at neck and open sides. Easy bateau neckl...
1983 Madame Gres Haute Couture Blue & Striped Taffeta Cocktail Dress W/Capelet
By Madame Gres
Located in Studio City, CA
1983 Madame Gres haute couture cocktail dress featuring a blue silk taffeta bodice w/thin spaghetti straps and a voluminous/pleated silk skirt w/blue, green, orange, and brown vertical stripes. Skirt is lined at the interior with blue silk taffeta and bodice has interior boning. Comes w/a matching blue silk taffeta cropped cape...
Madame Grés Demi-Couture Black Velvet Keyhole Evening Gown Ca. 1960
By Madame Gres
Located in Studio City, CA
1960's Madame Grés demi-couture black velvet evening gown featuring center front and back keyhole. Separate voluminous taffeta slip skirt. In very good condition - some minor wear to...
Madame Grès Haute Couture Black Elegant Evening Gown 1960s Gres Dress
By Madame Gres
Located in Berlin, BE
The Eternal Grace of Madame Grès Germaine Émilie Krebs truly was an artist sculpting silk jersey. Her designs: wearable Art. Gowns that evoked ancient goddesses, pleated with a preci...
A Madame Grès Woollen Beige Couture Dress (attributed to)- France Circa 1970
By Madame Gres
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 1970 France Prototype or parade dress attributed to Madame Grès and dating from the 1970s. Bolduc of white cotton sewn indicating No. 144 to Christine Vicky. Beige wool knit j...
Madame Grès Paris Silk Scarf Multicolor Pastel Giant Flower Print, 1970s
By Madam Gres, Madame Gres
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite Madame Grès Paris silk scarf features a lush design of a giant flower in pastel tones. This fashion accessory features the Grès Paris logo in the bottom-right corner. ...
MADAME GRES HAUTE COUTURE Betsy Bloomingdale 1960's Yellow Asymmetrical Gown
By Madame Gres
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This gown is composed of a yellow silk crepe. Features an asymmetrical design with snap closures. In excellent vintage condition. **Please cross-reference measurements for p...
RARE red crêpe evening dress with cape Grès 1966
By Madame Gres
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
RARE red double lining crêpe evening dress with cape. Zip and hook&eye on the left side of the dress + split on the same side, lenght= 32 cm. ...
Wool double-face ( check and plain orange) coat Grès Circa 1970's
By Madame Gres
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Wool double-face ( check and plain orange) coat. Cut-work on the waist. size L
Madame Gres Black & Grey Silk Jersey Dress w/Pleated Draped Bodice ca.1970's
By Madame Gres
Located in Studio City, CA
A circa 1970's Madame Gres knee-length one shoulder dress in shades of black and slate grey silk jersey. The bodice is constructed from a layer of black pleated and draped silk jerse...
DONNA KARAN Size 8 Beige Wool Pencil Below Knee Skirt
By Donna Karan
Located in San Francisco, CA
DONNA KARAN skirt comes in a beige wool with a slip liner featuring a pencil style, back slit, and a back zipper closure. Made in USA. Very Good Pre-Owned Condition. Marked: 8 ...
1920s Yellow Floral Print Day Dress
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
1920s Silk Dress in orange, purple black eye susan sun flower print. Some flaws inside lining ( collar) see image attached Bust: 36 inches/ Waist: 32...
1970S Cream & Yellow Cotton Floral Print Kaftan
Alaïa Structured Geometric Print Pleated Knit Skirt
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
Structured short knit skirt by Alaïa in a neutral beige tone. Made from a very thick, heavy knit with substantial weight and firmness. The fabric is dense and sturdy. Wide waistband...
Roberto Cavalli S/S 2003 Chinoiserie Slip Evening Dress Gown w Shawl 2 Piece Set
By Roberto Cavalli
Located in Naples, FL
Roberto Cavalli S/S 2003 Chinoiserie Slip Evening Dress Gown w Shawl 2 Piece Set Size: XS Condition: Good vintage condition, some of the mesh has been professionally replaced/repai...
1990S CHANEL Lemmon Yellow Silk Crepe Chiffon Strapless Empire Waist Dress With
By Chanel
Located in New York, NY
As Seen on Linda Evangelista in the Spring 1991 Chanel ad campaign. Straps are added but easily removable. 1990S CHANEL Lemmon Yellow Silk Crepe Chiffon Strapless Empire...
$1,250
Size: IT44 fits like an IT42/40
FENDI by KARL LAGERFELD 2008 Vintage Runway Yellow Dress Embellished
By Fendi
Located in Leonardo, NJ
Fendi by Karl Lagerfeld SS08 Vintage Runway IT44, but fits like an IT42/40 .. it was almost impossible for me to zip-up and it's super tight Has a corset effect/feeling Excellent vin...
Valentino White Mini Dress, Size 8
By Valentino
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
- Sleeveless - Crew neckline - Lace top and tweed bottom detail - Side pockets
Vintage 2000's Prada Silk Chiffon Midi Skirt with Floral Print and Ruffle Hem
By Prada, Miuccia Prada
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
Vintage Prada silk chiffon midi skirt with painterly floral print and ruffle hem panels on front and back. Back zip. Discreet logo placement throughout print. Early 2000s from the br...
$514
Size: UK 6-8 US 2-4
Vintage 1950's yellow satin embroidered cocktail dress strapless UK 6-8 US 2-4
Located in Nashville, TN
This breathtaking 1950's buttercup yellow satin dress, embroidered with a floral pattern in a cream silk thread, accented by milk glass beads, is the perfect cocktail dress for your ...
Vintage French 100% Silk Orange Beaded Dress with Scarf
Located in Wembley, GB
Interdite Vintage presents Vintage French 100% Silk Orange Beaded Dress with Scarf • Fashion New York Paris • Beautiful vibrant orange silk dress...
Gianni Versace yellow oroton metal chainmail evening mini dress, fw 1984
By Gianni Versace
Located in London, GB
▪ Gianni Versace Yellow checkered Oroton chainmail evening mini dress ▪ 100% Aluminium, 100% Silk ▪ Amber crystal embellishments ▪ Ruched side seam with leg slit ▪ Built-in waist ...
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Size: One size fits all
A Velvet Chasuble dress by Madame Grès Haute Couture (attributed to) Circa 1980
By Madame Gres
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 1980 France Elegant black silk velvet Chasuble evening dress by Madame Grès Haute Couture (attributed to) dating from the 1980s. Minimalist Chasuble cut with two large triang...
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Size: One size fits all. Shoulders 54
Haute Couture fashion show cape by Madame Grès numbered 11633 Circa 1980
By Madame Gres
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 1980 France A Haute Couture cape by Madame Grès dating from the 1980s. Impressive circumference of the cape (996 cm), cut on the bias from thick wool twill cloth dyed in grada...
Rare Madame Grès 1950s Haute Couture Brocaded Satin Ivory Gold Evening Dress
By Madame Gres
Located in Jersey City, NJ
This exquisite vintage gown by the legendary French designer Madame Grès, epitomizes haute couture elegance. Crafted in the 1950s, the dress features a luxurious ivory-gold satin fab...
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Size: Equivalent size 36-37 France
Madame Grès Haute Couture, evening gown in black moiré silk - Paris Circa 1980
By Madam Gres, Madame Gres
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 1980 France Elegant long black silk moire wrap dress by Madame Grès Haute Couture numbered 11369 and dating from the 1980s. Minimalist cut but complex couture structure that ...
1971 Documented Madame Gres Haute Couture Black Lace Dress
By Madame Gres
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful example of Madame Gres's work during a pivotal moment in the fashion House's history when she expanded her design repertoire for couture evening dresses and the f...
Madame Gres 1970s Silk Scarf 34"x34"
By Madame Gres
Located in Port Hope, ON
This is a beautiful scarf by the couture house of Madame Gres, established in France in 1932. Gres was born Germaine Emilie Krebs and raised in Paris. Her first love was painting an...
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Size: Equivalent size France 36
Crepe Long dress by Madame Grès Haute Couture (attributed to) Spring Summer 1955
By Madame Gres
Located in Toulon, FR
Spring Summer 1955 Paris Crepe evening dress by Madame Grès Haute Couture (attributed to) from the Spring Summer 1955 collection. Draped long dress...
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Size: One size fits all. Shoulders 54
Haute Couture fashion show cape by Madame Grès numbered 11633 Circa 1980
By Madame Gres
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 1980 France Magnificent Haute Couture cape by Madame Grès dating from the 1980s. Impressive circumference of the cape (996 cm), cut on the bias from thick wool twill cloth dy...
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Size: One size equals 38-42 France
A Taffeta dress by Madame Grès Haute Couture (attributed to) - Paris 1977
By Madame Gres
Located in Toulon, FR
Autumn-Winter 1977 Collection France Dramatic long evening gown in pearl grey silk taffeta, in the form of a toga by Madame Grès Haute Couture (attributed to). Chasuble cut with ve...
Red satin sleeveless cocktail dress with see-through lace back Grès
By Madame Gres
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Red satin sleeveless cocktail dress with see-through lace back and cape effect . No fabric tag composition but probably silk satin . One side is shiny ( the dress) and the other sid...
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Size: 38 (Fr) 8 (US) M
Sleeveless jacquard printed dress with asymmetrical draped over-lay Grès Paris
By Madame Gres
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Sleeveless jacquard printed dress with asymmetrical draped over-lay. Polka-dots pattern jacquard. Fabric composition: silk Zip on the left side an...
Madame Grès Silk Modernist Bird Scarf, C.1970
By Madame Gres
Located in Atlanta, GA
Late 1960's or early 1970's Madame Grès silk scarf with wonderful graphics in shades of yellow, blue and red depicting a bird and floating polka dots i...