Schiaparelli, Where Fashion Becomes Art, Turning Every Creation into a Masterpiece of Style and Imagination

"For me, dress designing is not a profession but an art." – Elsa Schiaparelli

On 28 March 2026, the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London will open its doors to a historic first: the UK’s inaugural exhibition dedicated entirely to Maison Schiaparelli. Spanning nearly a century of design, Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art traces the groundbreaking legacy of Elsa Schiaparelli, one of the 20th century’s most innovative fashion designers, from her early Parisian beginnings in the 1920s to the visionary work of her contemporary creative director, Daniel Roseberry.

This landmark exhibition celebrates Schiaparelli not only as a couturier but as an innovator at the intersection of fashion, art, and performance, highlighting her impact in Paris, London, and New York during the interwar period. Visitors will explore the Maison’s bold creativity, including rarely seen creations, the history of its London branch, and the independent clientele that shaped its global influence.

A Century of Surrealist Couture

Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art features over 400 objects, including 100 ensembles, 50 artworks, accessories, jewellery, paintings, photographs, furniture, perfumes, and archival material. Among the highlights are the 1938 Skeleton dress, the only surviving example, and the Tears dress from the same year. Whimsical collaborations with Salvador Dalí, including a hat resembling an upside-down shoe, showcase Schiaparelli’s fusion of fashion and fine art. Works by Pablo Picasso, Jean Cocteau, Man Ray, and Eileen Agar further contextualize her creative milieu.

Contemporary designs by Daniel Roseberry, worn by stars like Ariana Grande and Dua Lipa, bring the exhibition to a dramatic close, proving that the Maison’s legacy continues to influence global style today.

Designing the Modern Wardrobe

The exhibition is organized into four thematic chapters. Designing the Modern Wardrobe introduces Elsa Schiaparelli’s career trajectory, from opening her first Paris atelier in 1927 under “Schiaparelli. Pour Le Sport” to establishing herself as a leading couturier by 1934. Early works such as a trompe l’oeil bow-knot sweater (donated to the V&A) highlight her inventive approach.

The section covers daywear (Pour la Ville), including trouser suits, unconventional for women at the time and sharply tailored skirt suits with playful buttons. Eveningwear (Pour le Soir) demonstrates her creative ingenuity, from shimmering gold lamé gowns to circus horse-appliquéd dinner suits. Her imaginative accessories, including hats shaped like plaited hair and striped shoes, underscore her reputation for originality.

Creative Constellations

The second section, Creative Constellations, illuminates Schiaparelli’s deep engagement with the art world. In 1920s–30s Paris, she collaborated with surrealist painters, sculptors, and writers, resulting in designs that challenged convention. Notable pairings include Dalí’s Lobster Telephone (1938) and Schiaparelli’s Lobster dress (1937), as well as an evening coat by Schiaparelli and Jean Cocteau featuring mirrored facial profiles in gold thread forming a vase of pink silk roses.

Her friendships with artists like Alberto Giacometti, Leonor Fini, Meret Oppenheim, Elsa Triolet, and Jean Schlumberger influenced her designs for advertising, boutiques, stage, and film. While Coco Chanel dismissed her as “that Italian artist who’s making clothes,” Schiaparelli’s art-inspired couture became celebrated worldwide.

Beyond Paris: International Influence

The third section, Beyond Paris, explores Schiaparelli’s global reach, highlighting her London salon in Mayfair (opened 1933) and her influence on the British surrealist movement. Rarely seen London garments include a burgundy velvet suit with gold embroidery, a dress worn to King George VI’s coronation in 1937, and a unique oyster-colored wedding dress. Her costumes for stage and film, including a Mae West ensemble (Every Day’s a Holiday, 1937), and tailored outfits for Marlene Dietrich, illustrate her versatility and enduring cultural impact.

A Golden Thread: The Legacy Continues

The final chapter, A Golden Thread, celebrates Elsa Schiaparelli’s enduring influence and the contemporary work of Daniel Roseberry. Since 2019, Roseberry has revitalized the Maison with sculptural silhouettes, haute couture techniques, and bold designs worn by modern creatives. Iconic recent moments include the glittering gown worn by Ariana Grande at the 2025 Oscars, a contemporary Skeleton dress for Dua Lipa (2024 Golden Globes), and avant-garde couture that continues to blur the line between fashion and art.

Tristram Hunt, Director of the V&A, commented:
"Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art celebrates one of the most ingenious and daring designers in fashion history. The collaboration with artists and performance makes her an ideal subject for a spectacular exhibition at the V&A."

Delphine Bellini, CEO of Schiaparelli, added:
"Elsa Schiaparelli’s fearless imagination redefined the boundaries between fashion and art. This exhibition celebrates her enduring influence and Daniel Roseberry’s modern reinterpretation of her surrealist spirit."

About V&A South Kensington

V&A South Kensington is a global hub of creativity, housing national collections spanning art, design, fashion, photography, furniture, theatre, and architecture. Visitors can explore 5,000 years of creativity across all disciplines, experiencing exhibitions, educational programs, and world-leading research and conservation initiatives.

Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art promises to be an unmissable journey into the surreal, glamorous, and innovative world of one of fashion’s most iconic houses, bridging the legacy of Elsa Schiaparelli with the bold vision of today’s haute couture.

Dates: 28 March – 8 November 2026
Location: The Sainsbury Gallery, V&A South Kensington