PARIS.- As Paris was hosting Fashion Week, Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr auctioned the Quidam de Revel Collection, on Thursday 7 July, presenting Alix Grès’ gowns and photographs to collectors and curators. Many of these dresses had been exhibited in 2004, and at the Bourdelle Museum, Paris, in 2011. On Thursday, more than 120 pieces were sold for a total of €275,860, more than twice the low estimate.

A number of museums were successful in acquiring pieces in this sale with pre-emptions from the Musée Galliera: a maroon day dress, a prototype from the Spring-Summer 1951 Collection (estimate: €1,500 - 2,000) was sold for €5,200, a long black jersey evening gown from the late 1940s, estimated at €1,200 - 1,500 went for €5,200 and a two-tone white and black jersey evening cape-toga from the late 1940s was sold for €7,800 (estimate: €1,500 - 2,000).

Hubert Felbacq, Director of the Fashion Department at Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr said: "This collaboration with the Maison Quidam de Revel has been truly extraordinary. I would like to thank the buyers from all over the world for paying tribute to the talent of Madame Grès through this collection and in particular the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, CNCS in Moulins, MoMu in Antwerp, and Museo de la Moda Santiago de Chile."

The signature of Alix Grès - real name Germaine Krebs – was her exquisite pleating and drapery which elevated her haute-couture to the status of sculpture. Her workshop located at 1 rue de la Paix in Paris received the greatest names of the time: the Duchess of Talleyrand, the Duchess of Windsor, Marlene Dietrich, Greta Garbo, and the actress Madeleine Renaud.

The top lot was an elegant cream jersey evening gown - a prototype of the Collection Haute Couture show, circa 1950, that achieved €15,600 (estimate: €2,000 - 3,000). A long taupe silk jersey evening gown from the Collection Haute Couture, circa 1955, a prototype from the catwalk - Model No. 4468, sold for €12,700 (estimate: €2,000 - 3,000). A black jersey evening gown from the Haute Couture Collection, late 1940s sold for €11,050 (estimate: €2,000 - 3,000).

Other highlights of the sale included:

• A 1940s grey jersey evening dress, catwalk prototype - Model No. 2387 sold for €6,500 (Estimate: €1,500 - 2,000)

• A short evening dress, circa 1955, sold for €6,200 (Estimate: €3,000 - 5,000)