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 one is exceptional

This dress is a wonderful example of the range that Gres had. She had a brilliant way of using of print and colour combined with soft fluid tailoring. This gorgeous little day dress is simple in cut but it is gorgeous once on an actual body. These little day dresses are often underrated when it comes to Haute Couture but they should not be. They are beautifully made and the quality is beyond anything you will find in modern Ready-to-Wear. The dress is made out of a fine high end silk that has a very 60s print print covering its surface. Shades of taupe and muted olives cover the silk for a pretty and refined feel. The sleeves are straight and cut to just above the elbow. The neckline is high and scooped. It skims over the bust, waist and waist and falls to just below the knee depending on your height. As you get closet you realize that it is made from four tiers of the silk constructed so finely that it is almost unnoticeable. The fall over each other in perfect overlapping layers to build a slight A-line cut into the silhouette. This gives is a loose and easy shift dress feel or you can cinch it in for added shape. The fabric is very light in weight and each layer is attached to an inner fine silk lining. It is made completely by hand to Haute Couture standards and is even better in person and on an actual body. Excellent condition with one note below about one of the zippers

Fully lined in a hand set silk of very high quality. It closes with two hand set, painted metal zippers. There is one that runs down the back on the inner lining and then the tier buttons over that with a row of silk covered buttons. The second tier that the zipper runs into at the back then snaps into place along its edge and then snaps to close down the side. There is a second zipper under those side snaps. This second zipper is broken and off its track. At some point it caught in the silk edging and took a piece out of that. Because of the snaps over it the dress is wearable without doing this zipper up as it does not affect the exterior. Since it is all original I decided to leave it as found. It could easily be replaced if preffered. Please see the shot after the label shot. Done by hand to Haute Couture standards. Proper Haute Couture label present. Hand finished inner seams

Sleeves: 9"
Slightly inset shoulders: 13.5"
Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 42.5" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4002

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.