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
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
A blue 'tiger skin' paste brooch and matching earrings, Elsa Schiaparelli c1954.
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in Greyabbey, County Down
A beautiful combination and subtle colour way are expressed in this brooch and earrings from Elsa Schiaparelli in the 1950s. Made of japanned metal and a 'jumble' of assorted stones,...
Base 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, Gold, Yellow Gold, 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 couture clothing in Paris an...
Multi-gemstone, Gilt Metal, Yellow Gold, Bronze
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 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
Couture Surreal Elsa Schiaparelli Artist Vertes Harlequin Duck Brooch c1939
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in Chicago, IL
Between the first ad campaign that fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli (1890-1973) commissioned from internationally admired Paris-based 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, which depicts a duck holding an umbrella dripped with dashes of turquoise and black glaze to appear wet. 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 one of the designer's couture evening gowns, 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 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
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
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
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
Vintage Elsa Schiaparelli 1950's 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...
Elsa Schiaparelli Vintage Crystal Cornucopia Bracelet 1950s
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Elsa Schiaparelli Kristallen Cornucopia Armband Een uitzonderlijke vintage Elsa Schiaparelli armband uitgevoerd in het iconische cornucopia-motief (hoorn des overvloeds). De sculptu...
Crystal
Vintage bracelet and clip-on earrings by Elsa Schiaparelli, glasstones, 1950s
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in Stuttgart, DE
Vintage Bracelet and Clip-on earring by Elsa Schiaparelli with gilt metal links and prong-set glass stones and samll aurora borealis rhinstones. Dimensions: Length 19 cm Width ...
Metal, Cut Steel
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
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
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, ...
$368Sale 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 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...
1950s Elsa Schiaparelli signed onyx beveled glass galaxy Glass Clip-on 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
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
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
$557Sale 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
Antique Victorian 14k Yellow Gold Pearl Black Enamel Flower Pin
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 14K Yellow Gold Pearl Black Enamel Flower Pin. This gorgeous pin is crafted in 14k yellow gold. The pin has a pearl in th...
Pearl, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Green Jade Necklace
Located in New York, NY
A 35 inch Jade Necklace with 10 mm round Green Jade Beads separated by 5mm lighter Green Jade beads making a subtle and elegant look. These Jade beads we...
Jade
7 Pearl Chain Necklace 18K Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Necklace Metal: 18k Yellow Gold Total Weight: 4.3 Grams Necklace Length: 16" Pearl Type: Akoya Pearls Pearl Bead Diameter : 6 mm Stamped: "K18" Conditi...
Pearl, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1.30 Carat Emerald Diamond Platinum Diamond by The Yard Necklace
Located in Stamford, CT
Square emerald and diamond platinum diamond by the yard necklace. Chain is 44 inches and can be worn long or doubled. 10 square ...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Vintage Sapphire Diamond Cat Brooch 18 Karat Yellow White Gold
Located in London, GB
A vintage sapphire and diamond set cat brooch in 18 karat yellow gold and platinum, circa 1960 This charming stylized cat pin brooch is beautifully made. The strands of his fur ar...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1970's 14k Yellow Gold Nugget Bracelet
Located in Boston, MA
Vintage 1970's 14K Yellow Gold Nugget Bracelet - The bracelet measures .25 inches wide and 7.25 inches long. It has a plunger clasp with a figure ...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$900Sale Price|40% Off
Dm 2.13 in
Brutalist Cuff Sculptural Bracelet Antique Silver Plated Mesh Studs Vintage
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Brutalist Cuff Sculptural Bracelet Antique Silver Plated Mesh Studs Vintage Paris 2000's Designer J DAUPHIN This vintage cuff bracelet is engineered with a 54 mm interior diameter....
Brass, 18k Gold, Silver Plate
David Webb Pearl Amethyst and Chalcedony Necklace
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
David Webb Pearl Amethyst and Chalcedony Necklace A massive David Webb necklace with five strands featuring cultured pearls, round chalcedony beads, round and tumbled amethyst bead...
Amethyst, Chalcedony, Pearl, 18k Gold
Retro 14K Yellow Gold Bubble Link Bracelet
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Bold in gold with unique retro appeal, the distinctive bubble links give this sure-to-be-noticed 14 karat yellow gold bracelet plenty of panache. Brightly polished oblong contoured l...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Graduated White Coral Necklace
Located in New York, NY
These White Coral beads were purchased as part of an estate before being made into this classic 24 inch graduated hand strung White Coral Necklace...
Coral, White Diamond
$800Sale Price|60% Off
Dm 6.5 in
Virgin Mary Cuff Catholic Bracelet Devotional Medals Cross Bronze Silver
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Virgin Mary Cuff Catholic Bracelet Devotional Medals Cross Bronze Silver Designer: J Dauphin — Los Angeles Archive The Vintage Devotional Medal Cuff is a rare, one-of-a-kind state...
Silver, Bronze
3.22 Carat Diamond by Yard Platinum Necklace
Located in Stamford, CT
Filigree link diamond by the yard necklace. 46 Inches that can be worn worn single long or double. 24 round brilliant cut diamonds G-H I, approx. 3.22cts Platinum Stamped: PT950 9....
Diamond, Platinum
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 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 Wilmslow, England
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
Sold
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