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.
Rare Elsa Schiaparelli Documented Surrealist Lady Bug Cuff Bracelet
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in New York, NY
Elsa Schiaparelli surrealist lady bug cuff bracelet. Of gilt plate metal the bombayed hinged cuffs inset with red, orange molded pate de verre glass lady bugs...
Gold Plate, Brass, Enamel, Gilt Metal
Couture Elsa Schiaparelli Baretti Georgian Cannetille Beaded 4Piece Parure c1950
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in Chicago, IL
Distinguished by the tightly coiled style of Georgian-period-inspired cannetille gold wire that decorates the four pieces of this parure, French costume-jewelry designer Lina Baretti...
Crystal, Gilt Metal, Yellow Gold, Gold
Vintage 1950's Schiaparelli Lava Rock and iridescent rhinestone brooch orange
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in Nashville, TN
This breathtaking 1950's Schiaparelli brooch, in the most breathtaking shades of iridescent orange and pink rhinestones, set against iridescent orange lava rocks, is a rare piece to ...
Mixed Metal
Elsa Schiaparelli Wide Turquoise Cabochon Bracelet
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in New York, NY
Elsa Schiaparelli Baroque revival wide bracelet composed of leafy vine motif textured gilt plate base metal with faux Tibetan turquoise oval cabochons and iridized Aurora pink/blue/...
Gold Plate, Base Metal, Gilt Metal
Couture Surreal Schiaparelli Artist Vertes Harlequin Duck Brooch c1939
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in Chicago, IL
Between the first ad campaign that legendary fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli (1890-1973) commissioned from internationally-admired Paris-based Hungarian-born multimedia artist Marcel Vertes (1895-1961) for her blockbuster perfume "Shocking" in 1937, and in 1940 when they left France after launching her perfume "Sleeping" shortly before the Nazi occupation during WWII, the illustrator-cum-ceramist distinctly handmade--while traditional materials for couture costume-jewelry were scarce in Paris--this whimsical red-glazed ceramic brooch depicting a duck holding a "wet" umbrella dripped with dashes of turquoise and black glaze. Significantly, the trombone clasp of the brooch pin, the long-pronged gilt frame, and the text stamped on its back plate "Made In France" match a similarly sized glazed-ceramic brooch of a decoratively-chained bear that was published in the book Bijoux (page 146). The author Deanna Farenti Cera dated that likewise unbranded unsigned brooch to 1938 when it was commissioned for one of Schiaparelli's themed fashion shows "Circus". The invitation to that show, which was illustrated with circus characters and performing animals by Vertes' Parisian peer Christian Berard, included a domesticated white duck--notably not holding nor wearing a fashion accessory. Unusually, Schiaparelli had commissioned couture umbrellas from other artisans in the 1930s--a couple of which were acquired by TheMet museum. Another relevant Met acquisition of the designer's couture evening gown, which it dates to Summer 1940, features three large glazed-ceramic fasteners in a contrasting color matching our brooch. The like findings, materials, construction, text, object and palette aside, accessory-adorned ducks were among the figurative animals commissioned by Schiaparelli for that last collection before the Germans dominated Paris by June 1940, which is evidenced by the photo of the dated gilt hatpin depicting a bejeweled bird head with a bill that appears in the book by Patrick Mauries about another Schiaparelli-associated French parurier Lina Baretti (pages 124-125). See our other listing for one of Baretti's uniquely feathered designs, which likewise has a pronged gilt frame with trombone clasp like ours, but whose partridge subject best suits an earlier Schiaparelli collection for Fall 1938 titled "Pagan". For us, distinguishing our brooch from other one-of-a-kind ceramic pieces created for Schiaparelli couture...
Gold, Yellow Gold, Gilt Metal
Schiaparelli Pagan Leaf Earrings
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in New York, NY
Schiaparelli's lovely multi leaf gilt cluster dangle ear clips in original antiqued patinated finish. Clip back fittings. Excellent Condition, signed with script signature. Length 3.50, Width 1". Schiaparelli's costume jewelery...
Gilt Metal
Elsa Schiaparelli Vintage 1950's Faux Turquoise and Rhinestone Cluster Bracelet
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in North Miami, FL
This beautiful vintage Elsa Schiaparelli bracelet has 5-oval connected discs with faux turquoise and rhinestone clusters against gold filled brass. There is a safety chain on it. Thi...
Turquoise
Gripoix Elsa Schiaparelli ShockingPink Glass HandKnot DoubleStrand Beaded Choker
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in Chicago, IL
When fuchsia Burmese rubies were among the most expensive gems in the 1930s, Elsa Schiaparelli began to embrace the "shocking pink" color while designing French couture clothing and ...
Multi-gemstone, Gilt Metal, Yellow Gold, Bronze
Schiaparelli Crystal and Aurora Wing Earclips
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in New York, NY
Schiaparelli's aurora borealis wing ear clips with faux green tourmalines set in antique gilt metal. Clip back fittings. 1950's USA. 1" x 1". Excellent condition.
Gilt Metal
Schiaparelli Oversized Topaz Bracelet and Ear Clips
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in New York, NY
Elsa Schiaparelli's massive bracelet and ear clips of large smokey topaz top facet crystals with citrine and Aurora Swarovski crystal spacers. Extreme...
Gilt Metal
Schiaparelli Crystal and Aurora Earclips
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in New York, NY
Schiaparelli's articulated crystal and aurora borealis ear clips with faux green tourmalines set in antique silvered metal. Clip back fittings. 19...
Gilt Metal
1950's Vintage Elsa Schiaparelli Multi Strand Glass Necklace & Clip on Earrings
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in North Miami, FL
The colors of the sea in alternating glass beads of blues and greens make up this signed vintage stunning Elsa Schiaparelli necklace so wearable. There are 6 wide strands on each sid...
Schiaparelli Gilded Gold with Canary-Hue Ear Clips
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in New York, NY
Schiaparelli's wonderful large gilded gold accented with canary-hue ear clips measures 7/8" in length, 1 1/8" in height and 3/8" in depth. Earrings are signed on the b...
Schiaparelli Vintage Layers Strands Black Beads Clear Crystals Iridescent 2 Set
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in Wokingham, England
Schiaparelli Vintage 1950s 3 Three Trio Strands Layers Black Beads Ball Circle Large Oval Centre Clear White Sparkling Marquise Crystals Flower Iridescent Pendant Filigree Chunky Hoo...
Silver Plate
Vintage Elsa Schiaparelli Clip-On Earrings, Topaz & Boris Aurealis Glass 40's
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in North Miami, FL
The combination of faceted smoky topaz crystal glass with turquoise Boris Aurealis glass stones and clear rhinestones set of with a flower top in gilt m...
Crystal, Brass
Elsa Schiaparelli Turquoise Cabochon Vine Brooch
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in New York, NY
Elsa Schiaparelli Baroque Revival Brooch composed of leafy vine motif textured gilt plate base metal with large faux Tibetan turquoise oval cabocheons, and iridized glass aurora pin...
Gold Plate, Base Metal, Gilt Metal
Schiaparelli Gilded Gold Vermeil Filigree with Iridescent Stone Earrings
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in New York, NY
Schiaparelli wonderfully detailed gild gold vermeil finish with filigree detailing is set with a iridescent glass center. The length measures 7/8", height is 1 1/8",...
Schiaparelli Large Multi-Color Gilded Gold Clip-On Earrings
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in New York, NY
Schiaparelli Wonderful whimsical large textured gilded gold hardware as well as gilded polished gold hardware is accented with multi-colors of faux corals and faux gemstones, ...
1950s Signed Elsa Schiaparelli Black Glass Clip-on Rope Earrings
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in Kingston, NY
A striking pair of signed vintage Elsa Schiaparelli earrings from the mid-twentieth century, these bold clip-ons exemplify the house’s fearless approach to jewelry. Each earring cent...
Brass
$369Sale Price|22% Off
Vintage Schiaparlli clip-on earring, round with huge rhinestone, France 1960
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in Stuttgart, DE
Typical Schiaparelli ear clip with a beautiful, iridescent and polished rhinestone. Signed back on the clip. There is also on Schiapalelli Ring to buy! Se...
Gilt Metal
Schiaparelli Oversized Topaz Bracelet and Ear Clips
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in New York, NY
Elsa Schiaparelli's massive bracelet and ear clips of large smokey topaz top facet crystals with citrine and Aurora Swarovski crystal spacers. Extreme...
Gilt Metal
Clip-on earring by Schiaparelli Italy multicolor and vari cut rhinestones, 1950s
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in Stuttgart, DE
Schiaparelli costume ear clip of the 1950's Italy, made of yellow cut rhinestones, 2 olive green leaves in glass and 4 blue aurora round rhinestones Measurement: The earclip are 4...
Gilt Metal
$554Sale Price / set|27% Off
Clip-on earring by E. Schiaparelli Italy, different rhinestones, designed 1950s
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in Stuttgart, DE
Vintage earclip by Elsa Schiaparelli/ Italy, designed in the 1950's , consisting of differnt glass stones by Swarovski. Measurement: Hight 3,5 cm x 3 cm, deep 1 cm Featrures: - Original E. Schiaparelli signed on the back site - Many Ice rock...
Crystal, Rhodium
2003 Dolce & Gabbana Crystal Rhinestone Logo Spell Out Bracelet
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Dolce & Gabbana cuff bracelet is set with clear and black rhinestones arranged to spell out the brand’s name. The bold crystal motif was notably worn by Lil’ Kim at a 2003 Dolce...
CHANEL Vintage Gold Rue Cambon Paris Quilted Cuff Bracelet
By Chanel
Located in Bellevue, WA
Stunning vintage gold rue cambon cuff bracelet from CHANEL 100% authentic Made in France Gold Plated Very good condition overall aside from light wear and scratches throughout Comes ...
Gold
Faye Kim 18 Karat Gold White Freshwater Pearl Drops - 10.5mm
By Faye Kim
Located in Darien, CT
Classic, timeless, and simply chic, Faye Kim's White Freshwater Pearl Drops are finished with 18k gold ear wires. These earrings, with their subtle luster, never go out of style and ...
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold
Art Deco 18K Rose Gold Black Onyx Roses Brooch Pendant, Circa 1925
Located in Napoli, IT
This fabulous large Art Deco 1925 circa brooch has been later modified on the back to be worn also as pendant by two back side hooks as shown through photos Wide oval with amazing workmanship made of solid 18 KT, beautiful design made by a large scale Black Onyx background with a lovely bunch of Roses taking place in the middle and beautiful snake frame...
Onyx, 18k Gold
Roberto Coin .20 Carat Sapphire Ruby Yellow Gold Chic and Shine Bracelet
By Roberto Coin
Located in Stamford, CT
Classic oval link chic and shine Roberto Coin 18k yellow gold link bracelet. Classic Roberto Coin design. This bracelet is 7.75 inches in length. It is accented with one round red ru...
Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
CHRISTIAN DIOR By Galliano S/s 1998 Dark Navy Masai Choker
By John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in 上海市, Xuhui district
For colors please check close-up photos* This luxurious Dior jewelry set features a striking Dark Navy crystal necklace paired with matching earrings, sh...
$9,500
W 1.25 in L 1.65 in
1980s Diamond Multi Gemstone 18K Gold Doorknocker Clip-On Statement Earrings
Located in Miami, FL
1980s 18K Yellow Gold Doorknocker Clip-On Statement Earrings with Diamonds and Gemstones. These luxurious large Doorknocker-style clip-on earrings are crafted in 18K yellow gold wit...
Diamond, Multi-gemstone, 18k Gold
Chic Sixties Earrings
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1960s, 18k, possibly Italian. These 18k gold earrings are sublimely stylish and superbly fashioned. With fluted ornamentation and playful movement, the subtle two-tone color co...
18k Gold
Navajo Single-Stone Turquoise and Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Navajo sterling silver and turquoise cuff bracelet. With single Kingman stone set in decorative cuff featuring feathers, twisted rope border, stamped sterling beads and fan accents o...
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Vintage Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Large Navajo sterling silver and Royston turquoise cuff bracelet. Three large natural, untreated stones set in shadow box style setting with sterling silver beads and leaves. Stones ...
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
TIFFANY & Co. 18K Rose Gold Diamond Infinity Cuff Bangle Bracelet
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
TIFFANY & Co. 18K Rose Gold Diamond Infinity Cuff Bangle Bracelet Tiffany Infinity is a powerful symbol of continuous connection, energy and vitality. Enduringly modern, this cuff m...
Diamond, Rose Gold
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Starfish Brooch, Art Deco, 1980s
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This striking large starfish brooch is crafted in 925 sterling silver, symbolizing the mystery of the ocean and the brilliance of the stars. Its flowing design captures the graceful ...
Sterling Silver
Sold
W 13.78 in D 0.4 in L 7.88 in
Bracelet set with clip-on earring rhinstone by Elsa Schiaparelli Italy 1950s
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in Stuttgart, DE
A fantastic bracelet with matching ear clips from Schiaparlli from 1950s Italy. The bracelet consists of 5 links, each with 2 ice rock glass stones, 2 handcra...
Crystal, Base Metal, Rhodium
Schiaparelli Vintage 3 Trio Strands Black Beads Clear Crystals Iridescent Set
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in Wokingham, England
Schiaparelli Vintage 1950s 3 Three Trio Strands Layers Black Beads Ball Circle Large Oval Centre Clear White Sparkling Marquise Crystals Flower Iridescent Pendant Filigree Chunky Hoo...
Silver Plate
Schiaparelli Gold Plated Braided Chain Tassel Bracelet c 1960s
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in University City, MO
SCHIAPARELLI Gold plated braided chain tassel bracelet c 1960s The midcentury bracelet is designed with a pair of sinuous dangling tassels A statio...
An Iconic 1960s Elsa Schiaparelli Opalescent Brooch
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This is an iconic 1960s Elsa Schiaparelli opalescent brooch, a testament to the bold and artistic designs of the renowned couture jewelry designer. The brooch is circular in shape an...
René Le Marchand for Schiaparelli 1930s Mother of Pearl Goddess Brooch
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in Skelmersdale, GB
Exceptionally rare and of outstanding quality, this brooch was most likely made by René le Marchand for Elsa Schiaparelli in the 1930s. Condition Report: Excellent The Details... T...
Lucien Neuquel for Elsa Schiaparelli Vintage Duck Brooch, 1930s
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in New York, NY
Very rare glazed ceramic duck pin brooch. Designed by the French Artist Lucien Neuquelman for Elsa Schiaparelli for the Circus Fashion Collection....
Elsa Schiaparelli vintage clip-on earrings, 1970s
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in New York, NY
Elsa Schiaparelli vintage clip-on earrings made of silver-tone structural metal and black plastic. Measurements – 3,5 x 2 cm Condition – v...
Antique Ceramic Deer Brooch by Lucien Neuquelman for Elsa Schiaparelli, 1930
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in New York, NY
Very rare glazed ceramic roe deer pin brooch. Designed by the French Artist Lucien Neuquelman for Elsa Schiaparelli for the Circus Fashion Collection (see picture from the catalogue...
Couture ElsaSchiaparelli France Depose FeatherCrystalGold Pagan Bird Brooch 1938
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in Chicago, IL
Unusually decorated with small partridge feathers like the yellow-gold gilt necklace commissioned by Elsa Schiaparelli (1890-1973) that is featured on the front-and-back covers and centerfold of the French costume-jewelry hardcover book, Lina Baretti Parures, authored by Patrick Mauries, this unique pave-crystal yellow-gold gilt metal partridge-on-a-branch brooch is further distinguished as an unsigned Parisian-couture piece for Italian-born Schiaparelli with its combination of embossed text "Made In France" and "Modele Depose", along with the trombone clasp often used in the early 20th Century for custom-made French small brooches. The book centerfold on pages 90-91 shows a closeup of the feathered necklace created by French-born Corsican Baretti, whose intricate decoration often mixed ready-made textural or shiny materials like velvet, cork, metal wire, rhodoid, raffia or feathers with custom-made metal, plastic or glass by specialized Parisian workshops such as Maison Gripoix. The Baretti-book caption about the attributed necklace notes: "Collier realise pour Elsa Schiaparelli. Liege, soie, cannetille, perles de verre et plumes de perdix. Chaine en metal." While none of the captions date this necklace--which could have been from the same commission as our brooch--Baretti created one-of-a-kind jewelry for Schiaparelli from the 1930s to the early 1950s until the fashion designer retired. Our brooch was most likely made for a fashion-show debut of one of Schiaparelli's themed clothing collections in the late 1930s for which she commissioned many costume-jewelry paruriers including Baretti. See our photo of a Schiaparelli 1930s...
Crystal, Gold, Yellow Gold, Gilt Metal
Elsa Schiaparelli Turquoise Cocktail Ring
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in New York, NY
Elsa Schiaparelli Baroque Revival Cocktail Ring. Composed of leafy vine motif textured gilt plate base metal, faux Tibetan turquoise oval cabochon, with aurora iridized glass, in pin...
Gold Plate, Base Metal, Gilt Metal
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W 1.5 in L 34 in
Couture 1930s SchiaparelliBaretti GalalithRoseMotifGarland CordTiedBrassNecklace
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in Chicago, IL
With 1930s findings in the distinct highly-textural and unusual-mixed-media style of French parurier Lina Baretti (1899-1994), who was a frequent designer of unsigned one-of-a-kind c...
Brass
Sold
W 1.75 in D 0.3 in L 7.9 in
A magnificent wide bracelet and matching earrings, Elsa Schiaparelli, USA, 1952.
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in Greyabbey, County Down
A very rare and outstanding wide bracelet and large matching earrings in a subtle and unusual colourway. With beautiful large cabuchons in smokey quartz and dark brown, and moulded i...
Base Metal