Madame Alix Gres

Oh, I guess I missed the part where you said it's an adaptation. Could you explain what that means? I'm not sure I understand. Either way, it is a very lovely dress.

Sandra

 

As far as I'm aware, adaptations are licensed copies of originals - permitted to use the designer's name on the label but with 'adaptation' alongside. Done of near equal quality but considerably cheaper. I remember someone saying never to ignore them as they might be the only evidence of that design ever having existed!

Liz

 

As you can imagine, creating dresses with pleats 1 millimeter (correction) wide, can get very pricey. She would visit museums for inspiration for her scultptural creations. She continued to make her gowns into the 50's, 60's and 70's.

This dress was sold at a VERY popular online auctions site. All information pertaining to this auction has been left out at the request of the seller.

<img src="http://members.sparedollar.com/debutanteclothing/Gres2.jpg">

<img src="http://members.sparedollar.com/debutanteclothing/Gres1.jpg">

<img src="http://members.sparedollar.com/debutanteclothing/Gres3.jpg">

<img src="http://members.sparedollar.com/debutanteclothing/Gres5.jpg">

<img src="http://members.sparedollar.com/debutanteclothing/Gres6.jpg">

This dress is from the mid 60's
<img src="http://members.sparedollar.com/debutanteclothing/ostrich-feathers-GRES.jpg">



She launched a fragrance line, but had to sell it to keep her couture going. The woman who demanded the finest quality and attention to detail had to take the step towards ready to wear clothing in the 80's.

In 1987, the house went bankrupt. The name was bought by a Japanese fashion distributor and it became wildly successful in Japan. the present designer Koji Tatsuno pays homage to Madame Gres by continuing the draping style in a more modern way.

When the house went bankrupt, many of the patterns and samples were destroyed. There are few Madame Gres creations out there, and given how few people were privileged enough to own one has made the label an elusive legend.

Key Gres Look:

-pleats, created by hand then sewn together
-lots of folds and drapes
-bias cut, away from the body
-Greco-roman influence, togas, capes, wraps, Asian and Eastern influence

Madame Gres died in 1993 in obscurity. A winner of the Golden Thimble award was forgotten, but her legendary creations live on.

I hope you all have enjoyed learning about the elusive Madame Gres. If I left anything out, please let me know.

 

Sandra, thank you so much! I love learning about these designers that the workshops are featuring and am so impressed with the huge amount of information that is offered on them.

What a shame that this talented woman died in obscurity - and that many of her patterns and samples were destroyed. So sad.

Sue

 

Delightful presentation.

Some years ago I was in NYC and saw an exhibit of her work. Bret, Jonathan- was it FIT? Anyway - oustandinly beautiful dresses, particularily when seen en massse.

What was also fascinating was a full size drawing of one of her draped dress patterns on the wall. Just one pattern piece, for fabric sewn to together to make the width neccesary, and then a pleating pattern that was astounding.

As a theatrical apttern draper, let me tell you - what she did was amazing - and incredibly difficult to do and have look effortless.

Hollis

 

That's what I found most interesting. One piece of fabric and she can make a breath taking gown. Amazing!

Her death was sad. She died and no one except her family knew until a year later!!!

 

Sandra,

Thanks so much for this workshop. It is so interesting l
earning about different designers. Thanks so much for sharing with us.

 

I have an odd recolletion her family actually hid her death for some time. Can't remember why.

Hollis

 

Sandra - this has been a fascinating and eye-opening look at a designer I knew of, but knew little about. Thanks for providing some great examples of her work and lots of great information.

 

I just cannot imagine the time that went into each garment.

When i was in the theatre, we sometimes used draping, but not to this extent and of course it was "nice from far, far from nice" in comparison.

I wonder why her family hid her death as well. Was someone after an inheritence or did people want to take away her dresses from them? who knows.

Thank you, thank you so much Sandra

 

And along with the photography workshop, we also had this
presentation! For those who missed it - here it is!

Sue