Coat

Madame Grès (Germaine Émilie Krebs)

1951–53 · wool · Costume Institute

The bodice of the coat is formed by two pattern pieces, but unlike other designers who would conceive of a tailored garment as front and back, Gres thinks of the pattern piece as right side and left side, mirror images that are draped into form. Thus, there is no shoulder seam; it is as if Grès has shifted 90* from conventional tailoring, allowing the seam at center back, but none at the shoulder.

Artist

Madame Grès (Germaine Émilie Krebs)

Date

1951–53

Medium

wool

Culture

French

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Purchase, Friends of The Costume Institute Gifts, 1978