The master of pleating; Madame Grès

Own image taken at MoMu Antwerp

Own image taken at MoMu Antwerp; Detail of pleats

Own image taken at MoMu Antwerp

Own image taken at MoMu Antwerp; It's all pleated!

Own image taken at MoMu Antwerp

Own image taken at MoMu Antwerp; sketches

Own image taken at MoMu Antwerp; Godess dress

Own image taken at MoMu Antwerp; sketches

Own image taken at MoMu Antwerp

Own image taken at MoMu Antwerp, bridal robes

YAY! A new post!
This time is about an exhibition at MoMu Antwerp I've been to a while ago. They displayed the work of the famous couturier Madame Grès.

Madame Grès originally wanted to become a sculptor, but wasn't very successfull. Instead of working with stone, she turned to fabric. At first, she made costumes for various plays and quickly got notticed by several famous people. Ultimately, she designed robes for important and powerfull women like; Grace Kelly, Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich.
In 1942 she opened her atelier called: Grès, after the last name of her husband. From there she created these Greek inspired robes, made from one single cloth of fabric. The seamstresses of that time, would have to stitch the pleats with such a precision, that only a few were suitable for the job. These woman, stayed with ther for as long as they could.

Her designs and creations where so far ahead of her time, that when I saw them I was shocked! She drew designs of modern and classic shapes that would not hit the runway until 20 years later.
They also displayed some creations from other couturiers, who where inspired by her work. They all fell into darkness compared to the eye for detail and craftmanship in the designs made by Madame Grès. Her greatness was clearly visible!

If you want to see what kind of exhibitions there are to explorer at MoMu Antwerp, go to their website here!



x laura