GRÈS ETERNAL, THE EXHIBITION WHERE FASHION MEETS ART

This summer in Berlin, the Museum of Decorative Arts invites fashion lovers and culture seekers to immerse themselves in Many Shades of Grès, an exceptional exhibition devoted to one of the most visionary designers of the twentieth century : Madame Grès.
On view from 15 May to 11 October 2026 at the Kunstgewerbemuseum in the Kulturforum, this landmark retrospective brings to light the work of the French couturière who revolutionized the language of draping and pleating in haute couture, celebrated for her sculptural dresses that seem to flow like living form.

The show features a remarkable selection of designs spanning two pivotal decades in Grès’s career with about 24 original outfits from the museum’s own collection, primarily dating from the 1960s to the 1980s.
Celebrated for her masterful manipulation of fabric, Grès drew inspiration from classical sculpture and translated its elegance into garments that look like art in motion.
Her floor‑length pleated gowns and architectural silhouettes are presented alongside drawings and contextual materials, offering visitors a sense of how her work bridged the worlds of fashion, sculpture and cultural history.

Many Shades of Grès is not only a tribute to a pioneer of couture, but a dialogue between past and present.
By placing Grès’s pieces in conversation with broader artistic references and design practices, the exhibition highlights the continued relevance of her aesthetic today, inviting reflection on fashion as a form of cultural expression that resonates far beyond the runway.