Medium: Off-white matte silk jersey

Date: 1944

Country: France

Credit: Museum purchase

This gown illustrates the fact that Madame Grès appropriated classical references from all periods, ranging from antiquity to art modern: the high-waisted, neoclassic, or "Empire" gown (a popular silhouette in the Grès classical vocabulary) emerged in the late 1940s, but became more prevalent in the 1960s and 1970s, and this particular columnar silhouette dominated women's fashion in the early years of the 19th century and was revived again in the early 20th. However, this is a thoroughly modern dress. With a voluminous, flowing skirt that sits close to the body when still, it affords the wearer great freedom.

Object Number: P90.20.1