Elsa Schiaparelli 1950's Silk Flowers Hat
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Style:Surreal (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. slight yellowing to the straw.
- Seller Location:Sharon, CT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3238221232602
Elsa Schiaparelli
From her signature color Shocking Pink to her collaborations with Surrealist artists, the boldly original Elsa Schiaparelli transformed fashion with her haute couture house from the late 1920s to the early ’50s. Experimenting with elements like trompe l’oeil images and colorful visible zippers, the Italian designer instilled a provocative avant-garde artistry in her clothing and accessories, including those created with Salvador Dalí, such as the lobster dress and a hat shaped like a shoe.
Born in Rome, Schiaparelli was a rebellious child who grew up among the city’s intellectual elite. She had a voracious appetite for reading and became interested in ancient cultures, astronomy and world religions. Schiaparelli studied philosophy at the University of Rome, and after publishing a collection of poems on love and sensuality that so mortified her conservative parents that they tried, unsuccessfully, to confine her to a Swiss convent, she left for London.
A quick marriage to Count Wilhelm de Wendt de Kerlor brought her to New York, but it would be in Paris following her divorce that Schiaparelli embraced her artistic passions. She moved to the French capital city in 1922 with her young daughter and happened to meet master couturier Paul Poiret, who loaned the stylish Schiaparelli his clothes, sparking her own fashion interests.
Schiaparelli opened her modest atelier in Paris and debuted her first collection of knitwear in 1927, and later that year, she designed a black-and-white pullover hand-knit wool sweater featuring a trompe l’oeil bowknot that captured the attention of the fashion world. Vogue called it “an artistic masterpiece.” The success led to her moving her house to 21 Place Vendôme in 1935 where thousands of garments were produced each year.
Schiaparelli’s knitwear collections were later accompanied by revolutionary swimsuits and other clothing and accessories. Her inventive designs would include culottes — a radical statement in the 1930s when women still could cause a scandal by wearing pants — as well as printed fabric, such as the 1938 Tears dress with a print designed by Dalí making it appear as if the evening gown had been savagely ripped.
Schiaparelli was among the first designers to use materials like rayon and Lurex as well as explore wrap dresses and transparent raincoats. She also introduced unisex fragrances and brought her artistic partnerships into jewelry, such as bronze brooches made with Alberto Giacometti and fur-lined bracelets with Méret Oppenheim. As she wrote in her 1954 autobiography Shocking Life, women should “dare to be different.”
Despite her acclaim, her shop closed in 1954 after a tumultuous time during World War II. By then, fashion had moved on with Christian Dior's New Look, and the closure of Schiaparelli's business coincided with a comeback mounted by Coco Chanel, her archrival in the early days.
In 2006, Italian businessman Diego Della Valle acquired the brand and its archives, and the Maison Schiaparelli was reopened in 2012, back at 21 Place Vendôme where Schiaparelli's fearless and enduring work began.
Find vintage Elsa Schiaparelli hats, evening dresses and other clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Sharon, CT
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Philip Treacy Cranberry Rushed Velvet HatBy Philip TreacyLocated in Sharon, CTRushed Cranberry Velvet, and Satin lining, makes a small brimmed flat top,(but soft) hat. Measures 12 x 8" x 4"Category
Early 2000s English Hats
- Elsa Schiaparelli Paris 1950's Black Straw HatBy Elsa SchiaparelliLocated in Sharon, CTElsa Schiaparelli Black Straw High Brimmed Hat, circled with white twisted cord and accented with a faux berry stickpin. Outside measure 8" diameter, 7"height, 7"insideCategory
1950s French Hats
- Original Gerard Albouy Woven Brass Hat 1940'sLocated in Sharon, CTOffering an original Gerard d'Albouy (1912-1985) woven brass hat with a Velvet Ribbon attached. The Paris Milliner, during the German Occupation (active 1938-1964) was noted for his...Category
1940s French Hats
- Antique Chinese Silk Kimono or RobeLocated in Sharon, CTOffering an Antique Chinese Silk Kimono, patterned light blue silk, with a lining in white silk. Embroidered applied border at sleeves and neckli...Category
1920s Chinese Chinese Dresses
- Claire McCardell (attributed) by Townley Floral Chiffon DressBy Townley, Claire McCardell Clothes by TownleyLocated in Sharon, CTOffering a Floral Chiffon Dress by Townley (labeled), the design attributed to Claire McCardell. Approximate size: 8, length 43" and waist 28".Category
1970s English Informal Dresses
- Sonia Rykiel Paris, Crushed Velvet DressBy Sonia RykielLocated in Sharon, CTOf a 'crushed' black velvet. Approx. size 6. Dropped waist in front by design. Padded shoulders. Bow in front below neckline. Length in front 50", length of back 53".Category
1980s French Evening Gowns
- Rare Vintage Chanel Runway PVC Wide Brimmed HatBy Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, ChanelLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLThe ultimate in accessories making luxury craftsmanship. The Iconic House of Chanel always provides us with timeless and classic pieces. This beautiful hat takes timeless creation to a new level of sophistication and charm. Made from the finest materials that you would expect from the Chanel House. This rare runway hat...Category
Early 2000s German Hats
- Rare Yves Saint Laurent 'Mondrian' Helmet Hat, 1965By Yves Saint LaurentLocated in New York, NYRare Yves Saint Laurent "Mondrian" Hat, 1965; Domed crown formed with color block felted wool patches, black vinyl edging, circumference appro...Category
1960s European Hats
- CHANEL red raffia hat Spring 1992 92PBy ChanelLocated in Rubiera, RECHANEL Spring 1992 Extremely rare reticulated hat in red raffia with a very large brim Measure 57 External diameter cm. 66 - External circumference cm. 207 Internal diameter cm. 18.2 - Internal circumference cm. 57 In good condition, the hat has acquired a slightly wavy appearance over time, has no breaks or color variations. It is clean and has no stains. Bibliography: Chanel Catwalk...Category
1990s Hats
- Ralph Lauren hat chapka MBy Ralph Lauren Purple LabelLocated in Rubiera, RERalph Lauren Collection Black CHAPKA Wool, angora and cashmere Trim: 100% coyote Size MM Made in Canada Fur provenance Canada Excellent conditionCategory
Early 2000s Canadian Hats
- Vintage Eric Javits Brown, Round Brimmed Straw HatBy Eric JavitsLocated in Newport Coast, CAEric Javits vintage straw hat worn one time only. No visible wear to outside or on the inside of the hat. Brown soft and pliable straw. A very light weight and comfortable hat that...Category
Early 2000s Hats
- Cotton Spike Cut Stalk Minimalist Hat Contemporary Accessories Symbolic FashionLocated in Vilnius, LTECLIPSE hat DESCRIPTION The story of the Eclipse collection starts with the Hat. Symbolising the light coming during darkness. DIMENSIONS 390 x 390 x 90 mm MATERIALS 100% Cotton ...Category
2010s Hats
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
You Saw It at the Met Ball. Here’s What Camp Fashion Is Really About
This year's Costume Institute exhibition is all about embracing the eccentric.
The Met’s Latest Blockbuster Tells a Powerful Story through 230 Jewels
A captivating show at the Manhattan museum explores how jewelry has ornamented the body through the millennia — and redefines it as high art.