Alix Madame Gres
(1903-1994)
Madame Gres was born Germaine Emile Krebs on November 30, 1903 in Paris, France. She studied painting and sculpture. In the early 1930s she enters as an apprentice to the Edwardian couture house of Premet, where she stays for three months and
learns the basics of dressmaking. During this time she also changes her first name to Alix. Gres worked for couturier Julie Barton who renamed her house Alix Barton, after her talented assistant’s success.
In 1934, Gres designed a black cellophane dress with a black-seal-lined cape, with the cling of bias cut; it was photographed by renowned photographer Hoyningen-Heune, and appeared in Vogue Magazine. In 1936, after returning from a trip from the Far East she designed a brocaded dress which she called “Temple of Heaven,” inspired by the Javanese dancing costumes.
In 1941, Gres returned to Paris and opened her own shop "Gres," in 1942. Her collections were produced with draped and moulded jersey, silk and wool; her favorite materials. Her dresses resembled Greek sculptures. Gres often used asymmetric shapes, bias cuts and dolman sleeves in her designs. Her last collection presented before the liberation of Paris in 1944 is famous because she used only the red, white, and blue of the French flag in her designs. During the 1950s and 1960s, Gres became interested in tailoring and designed some of the most disciplined suit tailoring for daywear.
Gres engaged in several licensing agreements, the most successful of which was her perfume, Cabochard, released in 1959, subsequently she launched: Gres pour Homme in 1965; Oui Pro Quo, 1976; Eau de Gres, 1980; Alix, 1981; Gres Nonsieu, 1982; and Cabotine de Gres, 1990.
In 1972 Mme. Gres was elected president of the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture. Four years later she became the first recipient of the Dé d'Or (Golden Thimble Award), the highest honor given by the Chambre Syndicale and in 1978, she was awarded the New York University Creative Leadership in the Arts Award.
After releasing her spring/summer collection Madame Gres retired in 1988. Widely regarded as one of the most brilliant couturiers of the twentieth century, Madame Alix Gres died on December 13, 1994 in the south of France.
