Madame Grès (1903-1993). Regarded by her peers as the tutelary spirit of the profession, Madame Grès constantly said throughout her life : « I wanted to be a sculptor. For me, working with fabric or stone is the same thing. » Her quest led her to the ancient world, but also to North Africa and India. A fifty-year journey from Hellenistic sculpture to the intransigent minimalism she pioneered in the fashion realm.

The exhibition gives pride of place to her most emblematic pièces : the draped evening dresses for which she received the Dé d’or award in 1976. Created from the 30s to 80s, always in jersey and often ivory or pearl grey, thèse sulptural dresses have radiantly withstood the test of time. Photographed by Eugène Rubin, Arik Nepo, Boris Lipnitzki, Henry Clarke, Willy Maywald, they were widely featured in women’s magazines. Her day wear – the dresses and coats of the 50s and the purified designs in double-sided wool of the 60s and 70s – are still an inspiration for couturiers and designers today. The art of madame Grès is timeless.

Until July 24
Musée Bourdelle
16, rue Antoine Bourdelle
75015 Paris