Alix Barton

French house of high fashion founded in 1932 by Julie Barton (1883). She was joined one year later by Germaine Krebs, who contributed her artistic talents to the partnership. Madame Krebs had previously sold her designs and fabrics to various houses, and had worked with Premet, but always remained in the background. Her work with Alix — as the house was soon known — quickly made her famous, above all for drapery and the use of fabrics which, as with wax satin, no other dressmaker has ever considered. She became so famous that in 1941 Germaine went out on her own and became Madame Grès.