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 her models and this became a signature of her work. She opened her first 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, which was a partial anagram of Serge, her husband's first name. Her work spans over five full decades with the vast majority of it, with the exception of a short-lived RTW line begun in 1980, dedicated solely to creating Haute Couture. She is one of the greatest couturiers of our time and her pieces are very rare and hard to find. This  dress is from the same client that some of the others are and also from the early to mid-seventies. 

The dress is amazing and showcases how wonderful and diverse Gres could be with her work. The dress is made entirely by hand and the silk is that heavier weight that feels expensive. The top is cut to skim over you to the high set empire waist. The shoulders are soft and the sleeves are more full and pouf out just slightly as they skim down to the banded cuffs. The collar is neat and pointed above an opening at the front that you can wear closed or open. I love the two little faux flap pockets that sit along the high set seam at the front. The skirt falls under that skimming over the natural waist and hips to a second seam that sits around the top of the thigh. The last portion of the skirt flares out from there with quite a bit of fabric so that it has some movement when you move. The colour of the silk is a chic chocolate that is flattering on most skin tones. Inside it is a masterpiece of construction with hand done seaming and beautiful couture techniques. Truly a brilliant dress and when you see it in person you will fall in love with how good it is in person. A masterpiece. Excellent condition.

Unlined  and all the inner work is done by hand to Haute Couture standards. It closes with a hand set side zipper and hidden set snaps at the neck. An inner waist stay hooks to close. Each cuff has buttons to close with proper buttonholes. Completely made by hand. Proper Haute Couture label present. Note that there is no change in colour on the dress anything you see is just lighting and the photos.

Sleeves: 23" and 14" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist at high seam: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 12.5" from neck to high set waist seam
Total length: 45" from neck to hem with 2" turned under

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4726

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