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.
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
Circa 1970 14 Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond Spray Wide Flexible Bracelet
Located in Wheaton, IL
Beautiful Circa 1970 14k yellow gold and diamond spray wide flexible bracelet - sculpted floral leaf yellow gold diamond clasp set with three small round diamonds - wide heavy 14k yellow gold braided...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
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
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
18K Yellow Gold Architectual Style Medallion Link Bracelet
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Timeless, with versatile styling, this circa 1940's bracelet in 18K yellow gold has the essence of an architecturally inspired design with a more modest feel compatible with most tas...
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Hermès Black Leather Silver Metal Jumbo H Bracelet
By Hermès
Located in London, GB
An Hermès black leather silver metal Jumbo H bracelet This bracelet by Hermès features their iconic Jumbo clasp metal fitting with a palladium plating, joined with a fine black lea...
Retro Gold Bangle Bracelet with Rubies
Located in Darnestown, MD
Understated and elegant Retro bracelet in 14 karat rose gold. Undulating links truly have the effect of folded ribbon with rubies on the underside as well as the front. Measures 7 1/...
14k Gold
14 Karat Yellow Gold Round Cut Topaz Garnet Citrine Amethyst Peridot Bracelet
Located in Addison, TX
Vintage 14 Karat Yellow Gold Topaz Garnet Citrine Amethyst Peridot Bracelet. The closure is a tongue in groove. Bracelet measures 7 inches. Garnet: 2.20 ctw Peridot: 2.00 ctw Citrin...
Amethyst, Citrine, Garnet, Peridot, Topaz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Charles Turi 18 Karat Yellow Gold 4.02 Carat Diamond "Berlingot" Link Bracelet
By Charles Turi Jewelry Co.
Located in New York, NY
Designed by the legendary Charles Turi Jewelry Company. This bracelet is composed of 12 satin finished "Berlingot" links. The pillow sachet shaped links are set with diamond swirls with shiny outlines that give a cloud like feeling. The bracelet measures 6.25" long. 176 Round diamonds =4.02 carats Signed TURI 18K
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Estate 14 Karat Yellow and White Gold Oval Ruby Diamond Bracelet
Located in Addison, TX
Estate 14 Karat Yellow and White Gold Oval Ruby Diamond Bracelet The beautiful articulated bracelet features nine 14 karat yellow gold stations each with two X motifs holding a hal...
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Picchiotti 18 Karat Gold, 2.05 Carat Ruby and 1.14Ct. Diamond Gourmette Bracelet
By Picchiotti
Located in New York, NY
Designed by master craftsman Giuseppe Picchiotti, This Gourmette Ruby and Diamond Bracelet is a perfect example of a timeless piece that can be dressed up or down. 18Kt. Yellow and W...
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Mens Large Diamond Bracelet, 30.36 Carats, 1452 diamonds, 14K White Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Mens large 14k white gold diamond bracelet containing six large rectangular links. Each link is invisible set with 110 square princess cut diamonds totaling approximately 3.30 carats and 76 round diamonds totaling approximately 0.96 carats. The large links are joined together by smaller center links, pave set with 54 round diamonds totaling approximately 0.50 carats. Each large link is set with two round diamonds bezel set on each side totaling approximately 0.30 carats. A total of 660 princess cut diamonds and 792 round diamonds. Total diamond weight is approximately 30.36 carats. The bracelet is 9 inches long and 125.80 grams in weight. Open gallery cutout design with a slide latch clasp and a security side clasp. All diamonds are 100% natural, with no treatments or enhancements. This is a preowned estate bracelet in very good condition. Bracelet Specifications: Style: Invisible Set Diamond...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond Infinity Motif and Invisibly Set Ruby Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful 18kt yellow gold bracelet features 1.30 carats of diamonds pave set in an infinity motif connected by 2.68 cts of invisibly set rubies. This bracelet is 7" long
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Schiaparelli Late 1950s Statement Vintage Rhinestone Bracelet
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in Skelmersdale, GB
A beautiful bracelet by a much sought after maker of costume jewellery. This piece dates from the late 1950s and was created by Schiaparelli. Condition Report: Excellent The Details... This gold plated bracelet features 5 square panels. Each panel is detailed with oval black glass cabochons, vitrail navette rhinestones and round Aurora Borealis rhinestones. All of the stones are claw set. The bracelet fastens with a fold over clasp and features a safety chain too. It measures 19cm in length and is signed - 'Schiaparelli' is stamped into the reverse of the clasp. The bracelet comes with its original box from the Boston department store Filene's. To view a clip of this bracelet, click here: SCHIAPARELLI 1950S BRACELET A Short History... Elsa Schiaparelli closed her couture house in 1954. However, she continued to allow her name to be used on licensed items. This included costume jewels, which were made in America from around 1949 and into the 1950s. Since the resurrection of the House of Schiaparelli in 2012, there has been a renewed interest in the work of this great designer and the jewels associated with her name are becoming increasingly sought after. Wear it With... Pair this bracelet with a chic black trouser...