The V&A’s new Schiaparelli exhibition definitely proves that fashion and art are one

It is a truism that fashion and visual art are closely related. But for Elsa Schiaparelli, it wasn’t just about these two disciplines coexisting. In her mind, it was something that fundamentally connected them, so much so that the boundaries between them completely disappeared. This philosophy is followed with expert precision in a new exhibition dedicated to Schiaparelli and her legendary fashion house.

It is currently on display at the V&A in London’s South Kensington district. Schiaparelli: Fashion becomes art brings together more than 400 objects, including 100 ensembles, accessories, jewelry, paintings, photographs, furniture, perfumes, and archival materials. Taken together, this series provides a thorough portrait of Schiaparelli’s design ethos and the evolution of her haute couture brand, which continued after her death in 1973. For example, original garments from the early to mid-20th century complement new innovations created under the direction of Daniel Rosebery, the Maison’s current creative director. The final effect is amazing. Visitors witness how Schiaparelli is an ambitious and visionary home, and remains so for the ages.

But above all, this exhibition focuses on Elsa Schiaparelli’s deep connections with the art world during her lifetime. She was surrounded by contemporaries like Man Ray, Jean Cocteau, and Salvador Dali, with whom she collaborated on clothing several times. One such work is the iconic skeleton “Dear Elsa, I really like the idea of ​​’bones on the outside’,” Dali wrote in a letter. With a padded ribcage and spine protruding from a bone-black silhouette, the dress is based on Dali’s sketches and is known as the only surviving example of its kind. moreover, skeleton Because it is so fragile, the V&A’s conservation team estimates that this exhibition will be the last time it will be shown to the public.

Given her fascination with and involvement with Surrealism, it’s no surprise that Schiaparelli incorporated that aesthetic throughout her work. A 1927 sweater features a trompe l’oeil bow on the chest, and a dinner suit sparkles with circus horse appliqués. Shoes are transformed into hats, and naked mermaids and golden elephant trunks are reimagined as buttons. Still, Sonnet Stanfill, senior curator of fashion at the V&A, warns that “Schiaparelli didn’t just appropriate Surrealist imagery and paste it onto his clothes.”

“She was someone who was included in the creative process,” Stanfill continues, “and there was a real collaborative, creative interaction with these artists and creators.”

This interrelationship becomes clear through the works in the exhibition. Guests will encounter everything from a Man Ray painting of a harlequin coat and a lit candle to Dali’s famous paintings. lobster phone From 1938, Schiaparelli’s so-called lobster Portraits of Schiaparelli are also dotted throughout the show, capturing what the V&A calls her “eclectic tastes”. All these elements are distilled into an elegant conclusion that Schiaparelli has clearly arrived at himself. Fashion is art and vice versa.

“For me, dress design is not a profession, but an art,” she once said.

Schiaparelli: Fashion becomes art is currently on display at the V&A South Kensington until 8 November 2026.

A groundbreaking exhibition celebrating Elsa Schiaparelli and her iconic haute couture brand has opened at London’s V&A.

On display until November 8, 2026. fashion becomes art We celebrate Schiaparelli’s enduring commitment to surrealism and subverting expectations through innovative clothing.

Exhibition information:
Schiaparelli: Fashion becomes art
March 28, 2026 – November 8, 2026
V&A South Kensington
Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL

V&A: Website | Instagram

All images via the V&A Press Centre.

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