Fashion designer Madame Gre was born November 30, 1903, in Paris, France. She passed away on November 24, 1993. Her real name was Germaine Emilie Krebs.
Born into an upper-class Parisian family, she aspired to be a sculptor at a young age, but gave up the dream due to her parents' opposition. Eventually, she began making toile coats to earn a living, and her work was discovered by Macy's, a major American department store, and she began her career as a full-time fashion designer.
In 1935, Germaine released a dress made from silk jersey, which was cutting-edge at the time. Her pieces featured meticulously calculated pleats that created flowing, layered drapes, and her elegant designs, reminiscent of Greek sculpture, were highly praised in the fashion industry. She continued to create numerous dresses, but instead of drawing sketches, she cut the fabric directly onto the body, earning her the nickname "fabric sculptor."
In 1942, she renamed her atelier "Grès" and held a show in German-occupied Paris during World War II. Her tricolor dresses were met with rapturous praise from the audience. Though the atelier was subsequently ordered to close, after the war, it continued as an haute couture house, providing dresses to numerous celebrities. Meanwhile, in 1959, the brand launched its signature fragrance, "Cabochard." In 1980, the brand actively expanded into new fields, establishing a ready-to-wear department. In recognition of these achievements, she was awarded the Legion of Honor once in her lifetime.
The pleats, drapes, and architectural forms that Madame Grès created have had a profound influence on subsequent designers. Rick Owens has publicly declared his admiration for her, and her influence can be seen in his flowing dresses, while Veuve Clicquot has also held an event featuring Madame Grés.