French fashion designer Madame Grès (1903–1993) was considered one of the most important pioneers of haute couture in the 20th century. The Kunstgewerbemuseum Berlin (Museum of Decorative Arts) and the School of Culture and Design at the Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin (University of Applied Sciences) are planning a joint exhibition ‒ the first to shed light on Madame Grès for a German-speaking audience.

Grès was well-known in the 1930s for her floor-length, pleated gowns inspired by ancient sculptures. After the National Socialist occupation of Paris and her return to the city after its liberation, her success would continue into the 1960s. In 1976, while president of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, Grès received the Preis Dé d’Or, that organisation’s highest award. Her fashion house’s success dwindled in the 1980s, and the business was sold.

Grès’ designs reflect a continuous engagement with art and culture. The Kunstgewerbemuseum owns 24 outfits by Grès, primarily from the 1960s to 1980s.