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.
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 each of the four pieces of this parure, French costume-jewelry designer Lina...
Crystal, Gold, Yellow Gold, Gilt Metal
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
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 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...
David Yurman Multi-Color South Sea Pearl Limited Edition Strand Necklace
By David Yurman
Located in New York, NY
Designer David Yurman Multi Color South Sea Pearl Limited Edition 16 " Strand Necklace Exclusive , Very Supreme quality, One of a kind Ne...
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Ambrosi Floral Earrings 18K Gold Carved Pink Tourmaline Aquamarine & Diamonds
By Ambrosi
Located in Old Tappan, NJ
Italian Ambrosi vintage pre-owned 18K white and yellow gold earrings with carved aquamarine and pink tourmaline, as well as round diamonds in the centers. One of the earrings is a h...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Ten Strand Baroque Rice Pearl Necklace Gold Plated Faux Pearl Clasp circa 1970s
Located in London, GB
Ten strands of baroque rice pearls with a gold plated and faux pearl clasp. The necklace is length 46 cm / 18.1 inches. The pearls have a lovely ivory colour and beautiful subtle lustre. The necklace is in very good condition, with wear to the gold plating on the clasp. This beautiful vintage rice pearl necklace...
$132Sale Price|20% Off
White Moonglow Lucite and Milk Glass Bead Necklace and Dangling Earrings Set
Located in Milford, DE
Matching moonglow lucite and milk glass bead multi-strand necklace and earring set. The necklace features decorative lucite and milk glass chamber char...
Gold Plate
Victorian 23.40 Carat Moonstone Yellow Gold Necklace
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning antique Victorian 23.40 carat moonstone and 12 karat yellow gold collar length necklace; part of our diverse antique jewelry collections. This stunning, fine and impressive Victorian moonstone necklace has been crafted in 12k yellow gold. The necklace displays a feature two-tiered drop to the center of the arrangement; the central tier ornamented with two bezel set round cabochon cut moonstones and the lower tier tapering to a single oval cabochon cut moonstone terminal. The central drop is flanked on either side by a total of six bezel set oval cabochon cut moonstones drops, dispersed evenly. The moonstone drops suspend from a 15.5" belcher chain, crafted in 12k yellow gold. The chain secures with a conventional spring loaded bolt ring fastening to the reverse. This antique Victorian collarette has been independently tested using state of the art technology (Niton XL2 Analyzer) and verified as 12k gold. The necklace is supplied with an independent diamond grading report card. Images do not always reflect the true color and brilliance of gemstones and diamonds. The video however provides a truer representation of the actual color and showcases each stone. Condition This stunning antique 1880s necklace...
Moonstone, Yellow Gold
$5,858
Dm 0.2 in L 37.41 in
Rossella Ugolini 18k Yellow Gold 14.3 Carat Black Diamonds Lariat-Style Necklace
By Rossella Ugolini
Located in Rome, IT
Rossella Ugolini 18k Yellow Gold 14.3 Carat Black Diamonds Lariat-Style Beaded Necklace made in Italy. The entire lariat-style necklace is handcrafted with 134 black diamond beads ch...
Black Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Italian 14 Karat Yellow Gold Paperclip Link Chain Necklace 9.5 Grams 20"
By Harbor Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
14 Karat Yellow Gold chain featuring 38 paperclip links weighing 9.46 grams. Available in white gold and rose gold. Available in smaller and bigger sizes. Email for more details. C...
Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Diamond Necklace & Earrings Set
Located in New York, NY
Diamond Necklace & Earrings Set A matching necklace and earring set with round & baguette cut diamonds set in 18k white gol...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Iris Apfel Estate Personal Coral Turquoise Lapis Lazuli Silver Necklace Tribal
Located in New York, NY
Indulge in a spectacular treasure from the personal wardrobe of the legendary style icon Iris Apfel. We have her extraordinary six strand torsade tribal necklace in red coral, turqu...
Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, Silver
Art Deco Bakelite Bead and Bracelet Set
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco Bakelite Bead and Bracelet Set from the 1930's. The necklace has graduated beads with a simple hidden twist clasp. The bracelet is wired with 2...
David Yurman Sterling Silver & 18k Gold Diamond Multi-Strand Box Chain Necklace
By David Yurman
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Brand: David Yurman Style: Diamond Multi-Strand Box Chain Choker Necklace Material: Sterling silver and 18k yellow gold Hallmarks: D.Y 925 750 Gemstones/Diamonds: Natural diamond...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Green Marbled Bakelite Catalin Necklace 1930s
Located in Wallkill, NY
Vintage Green Bakelite / Catalin Necklace.Graduating round beads along with larger accent Bakelite bead. Beads 10.86 mm down to 10.36mm, Large disc be...
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
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
Schiaparelli Dramatic Multi Strand Faux Pearl Necklace & Earring Set c 1960
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in University City, MO
Schiaparelli dramatic multi strand faux pearl necklace - earring set c 1960s The opulent faux pearl graduated seven strand necklace is...
Rhodium, Base Metal, Stainless Steel
Schiaparelli Black Crystal Faux Diamond Lava Rock Art Glass Statement Necklace
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in Montreal, QC
Beautiful signed Schiaparelli Runway Necklace featuring Black Crystal Faux Diamond enhanced with iridescent Lava Rock Art Glass stones; Silver Tone; circa 195...
Silver Plate
Elsa Schiaparelli 1950s 'Lava' rock green three piece parure
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in Greyabbey, County Down
An elegant 3 piece parure from Schiaparelli in the 1950s, using her famous crumpled 'lava' stones in the suite, in a vivid and striking green,perfect for Spring or summer. Either wor...
Base Metal
Elegant necklace, with matching earrings by Elsa Schiaparelli, 1950s
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in Greyabbey, County Down
Set with deep mottled amethyst cabuchons, and highlights of deep aurora and light amethyst pastes, this necklace and earrings by the wonderful Elsa Schiaparelli from the mid 1950s, h...
Gilt Metal
Schiaparelli Jet Glass Silver Leaf Necklace & Earrings c 1950
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in University City, MO
****RESERVED SALE PENDING FOR ALLISON**** Schiaparelli Jet glass silver metal leaf necklace & earrings c 1950 The stylized necklace & earrings...