Evening Skirt with Embroidered Tunic

This sophisticated evening ensemble comes across as a surprise in the work of Madame Grès (1899-1993). A richly embroidered tunic with nearly psychedelic decoration accompanies a simple full-length skirt. The tunic is sleeveless, has a modest neckline and is deeply slit in the back. The splendid multi-layered fabric with relief-like decoration in gold and silver is sculpturally embroidered along the course of the pattern with diamonds and heart appliquémetal foils in green, blue and red, as well as semi-circular glassbeads and stones pyramids and metal gold coloured squares and pyramids. All edges are additionally adorned with a thick braid of gold coloured woven metal threads, gold coloured metal beads, transparent rhinestones, gold and red glass beads and red, green and blue metal foil. Madame Grès has drawn inspiration from oriental patterns and cuts since the 1930s and created pieces of the highest luxury.