Alix by Grès was launched in 1981 and made its way to the American market by 1982. The name “Alix” was not chosen arbitrarily—it was a deeply personal choice, drawing from Madame Grès’ own early career as a designer. Born Germaine Émilie Krebs, she adopted the name Alix in the 1930s when she first began designing under the couture label “Alix Barton.” Choosing Alix for this fragrance marked the first time in the 25 years since the launch of her iconic Cabochard that Madame Grès attached her own name—Alix Grès—and her signature to a perfume. The decision can be seen as both a nostalgic nod to her origins and a bold reassertion of personal authorship over her house’s creative direction.
The name “Alix” (pronounced Ah-leeks in French) is elegant yet strong, feminine yet architectural—qualities often associated with Madame Grès' famed Grecian-inspired couture. In French, “Alix” is a timeless given name with aristocratic undertones. It evokes refinement, restraint, and poise—exactly the kind of woman Madame Grès dressed: one of quiet power and composed sensuality. Naming the perfume Alix invited wearers to embody this legacy—to adorn themselves not just in scent, but in the ethos of the Grès woman.
When Alix was launched in the early 1980s, the fragrance world was in a state of transition. The late 1970s had seen a surge in bold, often heavy perfumes with strong chypre or oriental profiles—think Opium (1977), Diva (1982), or Cinnabar (1978). At the same time, the early '80s ushered in an era of heightened femininity in fashion: power suits with cinched waists, dramatic silhouettes, and a renewed interest in luxury and structure. Alix landed at this cultural crossroads, embracing the refined complexity of a chypre yet bringing a distinctly green, floral freshness that offered a contrast to the louder fragrances dominating the scene.