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Schiaparelli's London Style: Artistry Beyond Paris
21 Mar
Summary
- Schiaparelli's London branch operated from 1933 to 1939.
- The V&A exhibition highlights her distinctive London-made garments.
- British clients received the same avant-garde designs as Parisians.
Elsa Schiaparelli, a trailblazing couturier celebrated for her avant-garde designs, established a significant presence in London. Her London atelier, which operated between 1933 and 1939, was housed in a Mayfair townhouse. This venture brought her distinctive Parisian creations to wealthy British clientele, challenging perceptions of London fashion.
A new exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, titled 'Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art,' will delve into the designer's entire career. A key focus will be on her London operation, showcasing garments bearing the rare 'Schiaparelli London' label. These pieces demonstrate that British clients received the same level of artistic and unconventional fashion as those in Paris.
Curators have highlighted specific garments, including a 'Dinner Suit' from Autumn 1937 and a wedding dress from 1934, as examples of Schiaparelli's signature style made in London. These items underscore the designer's belief that London, despite its perceived masculinity, embraced her 'mad, mad, mad' yet profoundly honest aesthetic.
