Madame Gres' work has had profound effects on Haute Couture and her influence still resonates to this day. Her attention to detail, master draping techniques and respect for the female form is unparalleled. She was known for designing and creating garments directly on the models and the results were spectacular. She first opened her atelier, La Maison Alix in 1932. A partnership briefly changed the house's name to Alix Barton and then the label went to simply Alix. In 1942 she married, and the label made its last change to became Madame Gres, a partial anagram of her husband's first name, Serge. In 1980 she started a ready to wear line in partnership with designer Peggy Huynh Kinh but by 1983 she took it over in-house so that she had sole control over the entire process. This skirt bears the label produced between 1983 and 1987 and is a rare example of her work during these last few years of her career.
This skirt is utterly fantastic in its own right beyond its historical importance. I am in absolute love with it - the color, the design, the workmanship - everything about it is perfection. Pieces with this label are rare and the beauty of this particular piece really makes it a once in a lifetime find. The fabric is unusual and is a soft woven textile that feels like a mix of silk and maybe a fine wool thread mixed with a silver lame thread. The color is a cinnamon brown with a pattern of black and silver flowers that are woven into the fabric. This lifts them just slightly off the base fabric and adds an extra dimension to the fabric. The main portion of the skirt is cut on in a long and lean line with a band around the waist for added shape and a deep ruffle that circles the lower hem. It comes with its original long suede tie belt that has a large glossy black carved plastic bead to finish each end. The beauty of the color combination is equaled by the fine workmanship that has gone into constructing it. It is really a work of art and in important piece of fashion history. Excellent condition.
Unlined and closes with a painted metal zipper at the waist. Original suede tie belt and an inner hooked waist stay. Pockets along the seam of each hip.
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 43.5" from top to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# S908
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
