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.
Limited Schiaparelli Mirror Jacket FW 2022 after Elsa Schiaparelli iconic design
By Daniel Roseberry, Schiaparelli
Located in KRAKÓW, PL
Extremely limited F/W 2022 Schiaparelli jacket designed by Daniel Roseberry in honor of Elsa Schiaparelli's iconic design! The original evening jacket design from 1938 is held in the...
1980s Schiaparelli Black Chenille Velvet and Gold Lurex Jacket
By Schiaparelli
Located in London, GB
Maison Schiaparelli was founded by Elsa Schiaparelli in 1927 and became renowned for its surrealist haute couture creations. The house closed in 1954 following bankruptcy, but its na...
Schiaparelli Valentine Heart w/Arrow dress Jacket New!
By Schiaparelli, Franco Moschino
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Schiaparelli black wool blazer with signature large red heart pierced by embroidered gold arrows, with a small spray of clear stones. Four (4) small delicate buttons showc...
Vintage 1990s Christian Lacroix blazer jacket
By Christian Lacroix
Located in LAGNY-SUR-MARNE, FR
Vintage 1990s Christian Lacroix black blazer jacket from the Bazar collection with baroque patern. In perfect condition almost brand new. Christian Lacroix's Bazar collection is one...
1990's Vintage Black Moschino Couture jacket
By Moschino Couture, Moschino
Located in LAGNY-SUR-MARNE, FR
1990's Vintage Moschino Couture Black blazer jacket. in perfect condition. Sizes I 42 Fr 38 US 8 UK 10 Measurements : JACKET : Shoulders : 39 cm Waist : 35 cm Sleeves :...
GIORGIO SANT'ANGELO METALLIC KIMONO FAN BLOUSE 1970s
By Giorgio di Sant' Angelo
Located in New York, NY
GIORGIO SANT'ANGELO METALLIC KIMONO FAN BLOUSE 1970s Crimped black and gold kimono-cut top, non-conforming black net sash decorated with metallic gold thre...
990s Vintage Escada by Margaretha Ley tartan oversized blazer
By Escada Margaretha Ley
Located in LAGNY-SUR-MARNE, FR
1990s Vintage Escada by Margaretha Ley tartan oversized blazerJacket with original shoulder pads. This piece is in good vintage condition a few signs of age can be seen on the collar...
DIOR HOMME By HEDI SLIMANE S/S 2007 Harrington Jacket
By Hedi Slimane, Dior Homme
Located in Berlin, BE
Dior Homme by Hedi Slimane S/S 2007 Harrington 44 Brand: Dior Homme Designer: Hedi Slimane Collection / Year: S/S 2007 Fabric: Outer: Cotton Color: Black Size: 44 Incredible Dior H...
SAINT LAURENT By HEDI SLIMANE F/W 2013 Military Style Jacket
By Saint Laurent, Hedi Slimane for Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Berlin, BE
Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane F/W 2013 Military Jacket Brand: Saint Laurent Designer: Hedi Slimane Collection / Year: F/W 2013 Fabric: Wool / Silk Color: Black Size: 46 Incredible military inspired jacket by Saint Laurent. Designed by Hedi Slimane for his Fall Winter 2013 collection. Utilitarian and smart. Made from wool and lined in silk. It features a double-breasted closure with nautical antiqued anchor...
SAINT LAURENT By HEDI SLIMANE Rare F/W 2015 Black Glitter Blazer
By Hedi Slimane for Yves Saint Laurent, Saint Laurent
Located in Berlin, BE
SAINT LAURENT by HEDI SLIMANE Rare F/W 2015 Black Glitter Blazer Brand: Saint Laurent Designer: Hedi Slimane Collection / Year: F/W 2015 Fabric: Wool / Cupro / Silk Color: Black Siz...
Vintage Terry Paris Gold Medallion Leather Lace Jacket
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Fabulous early 1990's Terry Paris Versace style jacket. Beautiful decorative goldtone medusa head medallions. Lace embellishment. Goldtone button closure a...
Emanuel Ungaro 1980s Vintage Houndstooth Cotton Women's Jacket Blazer
By Emanuel Ungaro
Located in LAGNY-SUR-MARNE, FR
1980s houndstooth vintage jacket by Emanuel Ungaro, parallèle collection. The fabric is 90% Cotton. It has a velvet aspect on the borders. Small de...
GIVENCHY By ALEXANDER MCQUEEN F/W 1998 "Bladerunner" Runway Pleated Blazer FR38
By Alexander McQueen, Alexander McQueen for Givenchy Haute Couture
Located in Berlin, BE
Givenchy by Alexander McQueen Autumn/Winter 1998 Runway Pleated Blazer Brand: Givenchy Designer: Alexander McQueen Collection: Fall/Winter 1998 Fabric: Nylon blend, lined in silk Co...
Jean Paul Gaultier FW 2019 Leopard Faux Fur Printed Coat
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Avon, CT
Jean Paul Gaultier FW 2019 Leopard Print Coat. - Guaranteed 100% Authentic. - Excellent preowned condition. - Size: Length: 41”, Smallest-Widest Width: 13”-20” and Arm Inseam: 17”...
$1,000
Size: Unmarked. Fits like "L" or "XL"
1980's Sonia Rykiel France Evening Wear Lightweight Silk Velvet Lame Duster
By Sonya Rykiel
Located in Tustin, CA
Exquisite 1980's evening wear coat, jacket, blazer or duster is lightweight, vented and easy to wear for dining, parties and dancing, with an animal patterned, soft silk velvet and shiny gold lame metallic velvet effect. Collarless coat features wide cap sleeves over long, wide, tapering open air sleeves, generous arm vents, a straight shape with a long back slit, 4 pockets and a neck tie closure. Jacket is unlined. Labeled, "SONIA RYKIEL" and "Made in France" and "Silk 24%, Viscose 29% and Metal 26". Will fit a wide variety of sizes. Shoulder to hem measures 37". Wide, tapering sleeves measure 24.5" long x 17" in circumference at the top (at the opening), tapering to 11" in circumference at the wrist. Bust, waist and hip measures 49" in circumference. Hem sweep measures 55" in circumference. Sonia Rykiel (1930-2016) was an iconic french fashion designer and writer. She is credited with inventing the poor boy...
SCHIAPARELLI Black Persian Lamb Mink Fur Shrug - Jacket - 1960s Vintage
By Schiaparelli, Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in Wallkill, NY
Awesome vintage Jacket from the 1960s Elsa Schiaparelli Black Persian Lamb Jacket This is Fabulous! Coat came from a NYS Estate. Stunning Schiaparelli Persian Jacket with Jet Black M...
Schiaparelli Paris Luxurious Sable Trim Astrakhan 3/4 Length Jacket c 1960
By Schiaparelli, Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in University City, MO
Schiaparelli Paris Luxurious sable trim astrakhan 3/4 length jacket c 1960 The chic retro jacket is designed with plush sable fur that frames the collar and circles the sleeve cuffs ...
1950s Schiaparelli Black Textured Velvet Jacket With Fur Collar
By Schiaparelli, Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in London, GB
A gorgeous cropped jacket from iconic Italian designer Schiaparelli. This1950s classic is timeless in style and could be worn a number of different ways. It has flattering 3/4 length...